Pretty Thing Cowl Finished!
What a pleasure it was to make and finish this project! The yarn was a dream - in fact it's the most gorgeous yarn I've used in years! It's a luxury blend of Bison, Merino and Silk I got from Barb at Wild Geese Fiber. I had three, 150 yd skeins and I made sure to use them all. I didn't want a part-ball left over! I know the original Pretty Thing pattern called for one, 150 yd skein of cashmere but it must have been thread-weight because 150 yards of the yarn I was using would not have made it much past half-way - and what's more, I was knitting more or less to gauge! Go figure!
To make the cowl I simply made a note of how far into the pattern one skein got me and then repeated the middle lace pattern until I had used 2 skeins. Then I started the pattern where the first skein got me to and finished. OK, maybe that didn't sound quite right but I know what I did and it worked! I had about 2 yards left when I finished so I patted myself on the back!
Stephanie's pattern called for an Elizabeth Zimmerman style sewn cast off. I used this type of cast-off for years on sock cuffs and disliked using it immensely. It was wonderfully stretchy and didn't look too bad but it was too much like work! I decided to give Jennifer's Incredibly Stretchy Bind Off from Knitty.com a try instead. Woweee! Stretchy and good looking too! What's more it meets with my Lazy-Knitter seal of approval of not being too fiddly or too much work! Plus, there's no worries about running out of yarn because you cut it off, like you do with a sewn bind off.
So I washed and blocked the cowl. Yes, I know it doesn't look symmetrical on the blocking stand. No, I'm not sure why. Maybe I didn't pull it enough. Blame the camera, OK?
The soft hand and silky texture are simply divine! And to my delight, it's not fuzzy at all! I can't stand fuzzy next to my face! And it makes the lace stitches really show! DD#2 was kind enough to model.
Because it's a fairly fine knit, it's not too bulky to wear down around your neck. But it really shines as a cowl because it's long enough to go right over my head - the way I intend to wear it. You see, my favorite coats have hoods and this will be just perfect to wear under them!
So 2 thumbs up for The Yarn Harlot's Pretty Thing pattern! I enjoyed knitting it and I know I'm REALLY going to love wearing it! Cheers all!
To make the cowl I simply made a note of how far into the pattern one skein got me and then repeated the middle lace pattern until I had used 2 skeins. Then I started the pattern where the first skein got me to and finished. OK, maybe that didn't sound quite right but I know what I did and it worked! I had about 2 yards left when I finished so I patted myself on the back!
Stephanie's pattern called for an Elizabeth Zimmerman style sewn cast off. I used this type of cast-off for years on sock cuffs and disliked using it immensely. It was wonderfully stretchy and didn't look too bad but it was too much like work! I decided to give Jennifer's Incredibly Stretchy Bind Off from Knitty.com a try instead. Woweee! Stretchy and good looking too! What's more it meets with my Lazy-Knitter seal of approval of not being too fiddly or too much work! Plus, there's no worries about running out of yarn because you cut it off, like you do with a sewn bind off.
So I washed and blocked the cowl. Yes, I know it doesn't look symmetrical on the blocking stand. No, I'm not sure why. Maybe I didn't pull it enough. Blame the camera, OK?
The soft hand and silky texture are simply divine! And to my delight, it's not fuzzy at all! I can't stand fuzzy next to my face! And it makes the lace stitches really show! DD#2 was kind enough to model.
Because it's a fairly fine knit, it's not too bulky to wear down around your neck. But it really shines as a cowl because it's long enough to go right over my head - the way I intend to wear it. You see, my favorite coats have hoods and this will be just perfect to wear under them!
So 2 thumbs up for The Yarn Harlot's Pretty Thing pattern! I enjoyed knitting it and I know I'm REALLY going to love wearing it! Cheers all!
Posted by Gloria Patre at 11/21/2009 3:37 PM 
Categories: Other Projects
Tags: pretty thing bison fiber wild geese yarns cowl
Categories: Other Projects
Tags: pretty thing bison fiber wild geese yarns cowl
That cowl is stunning! Congratulations!
I will have to try that bind off. So far my favorite is the Russian bind off that I learned from Wendy Knits.
http://wendyknits.net/2007/01/28/apple-pie-socks/
Reply to this
Thanks Susan! I have to admit I'm pretty pleased with it! I'll post the link for that stretchy bind off next Friday. Thanks for sharing yours too!
Reply to this
WOW, I love it! you did a great job with it. I've been flirting with buying this pattern and making one and your FO is seriously tipping me over the edge! Great work!
Reply to this
Well here'one more word of encouragement - the middle pattern is really easy! It's a 2 row repeat that you can make as long or as short as you like! (yes, I'm a tempter!!)
Reply to this
It really IS a lovely pattern. Good for you to finish off all your pretty yarn! :o)
Reply to this
Thanks! Yes - I even surprised myself at how close I was to using it all! I think what helped me finish it was how simple the stitch pattern is. If it was more complex I think I'd still be knitting in the spring! LOL! Gosh I'm hopeless with lace - unlike SOMEONE I know...
Reply to this