This was the main player in my swap package. The mom that I was swapping with is quite the stylish woman and I figured an elegant cowl would do the trick. However when I saw this cowl that did not require messing up one's hair or makeup to wear well that was just perfect. The pattern is very easy - a seeded rib stitch which is not boring to knit and gives a bit more texture than a plain ribbing when worn. I chose Lion Alpine Wool on #10 needles since I loved the sort of handspun texture of the wool. After knitting I gave it a nice rich lanolizing to make the soft yarn even yummier.
I also fell in love with this very large (around 3") wooden button and wooden toggle combination for the closure. It's held together with elastic thread and the large gauge of the knitting allows you to insert the toggle into any place in the cowl. In theory. See, I picked a yarn on the smaller end of the recommended range (still within range though) and a toggle that was the recommended size. After I put together my button and toggle gizmo I went to insert it in the cowl but the toggle was too big. Gah! This was also the day before I wanted to mail out the package and I did not want to pack up the three kids to go out to the store. So what now?
My button jar to the rescue. Several years ago I bought a pound of assorted buttons (assorted but in multiples so I can pull out matching sets when I want). I chose a smooth, speckled brown button about 1/2" in diameter. Perfect, just the right size to slip through the stretchy size 10 needle knitted garment but large enough to stay in place once inserted.
Oh and one last modification. I'm not big on dainty accessories. Or more, so dainty they look doll sized. I think super teeny accessories look like you ran out of fabric, baubles or yarn. Also, inversely they make the wearer look Gulliver-ish in proportion. That's right ladies, teeny bopper sized accessories make us look big. So my cowl ended up about 10" x 40". I wanted to make sure my recipient could use the cute little around-the-shoulders shrug option.
Oh and I'm finding the comments on the pincushion giveaway absolutely hysterical and entertaining. Never in my history of reading blogs have I ever seen people say they didn't want to be entered. So too bad, but everyone that has left a comment will receive an entry fair and square. Why? Because I said so. (Boy have I been wanting to use that on people I won't scar with therapy).
I also fell in love with this very large (around 3") wooden button and wooden toggle combination for the closure. It's held together with elastic thread and the large gauge of the knitting allows you to insert the toggle into any place in the cowl. In theory. See, I picked a yarn on the smaller end of the recommended range (still within range though) and a toggle that was the recommended size. After I put together my button and toggle gizmo I went to insert it in the cowl but the toggle was too big. Gah! This was also the day before I wanted to mail out the package and I did not want to pack up the three kids to go out to the store. So what now?
My button jar to the rescue. Several years ago I bought a pound of assorted buttons (assorted but in multiples so I can pull out matching sets when I want). I chose a smooth, speckled brown button about 1/2" in diameter. Perfect, just the right size to slip through the stretchy size 10 needle knitted garment but large enough to stay in place once inserted.
Oh and one last modification. I'm not big on dainty accessories. Or more, so dainty they look doll sized. I think super teeny accessories look like you ran out of fabric, baubles or yarn. Also, inversely they make the wearer look Gulliver-ish in proportion. That's right ladies, teeny bopper sized accessories make us look big. So my cowl ended up about 10" x 40". I wanted to make sure my recipient could use the cute little around-the-shoulders shrug option.
Oh and I'm finding the comments on the pincushion giveaway absolutely hysterical and entertaining. Never in my history of reading blogs have I ever seen people say they didn't want to be entered. So too bad, but everyone that has left a comment will receive an entry fair and square. Why? Because I said so. (Boy have I been wanting to use that on people I won't scar with therapy).
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1 comment:
YOU crack me up M. :)
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