In a fit of productiveness yesterday evening, I decided to add another project to my holiday list! Instead of trying to find something in a store for my boyfriend's brother, I thought he might be the kind of guy who would wear(and appreciate!)a cowl. In a nice cool grey with a simple textured stitch, I think it won't be too girly or overly flamboyant. So without further ado, here is the pattern for my Pretty Darn Cozy cowl!



Finished size:
Approx. 23" circumference, 10" height


Materials:
2 balls Lion Brand Hometown USA in Dallas Grey (I used 1.5 balls, so about 124yds total)
16" circular US 13 (9.0 mm) needles
Stitch marker
Darning needle

Beaded Rib pattern:
Round 1: *k1, p1; repeat from * to end of round
Rnd 2: knit




Cowl time!

CO 64 sts.
Join, being careful not to twist. Place marker to indicate beginning of round.
Round 1: *k1, p1; repeat from * to end of round
Rnd2: knit

Repeat these rounds until cowl measures 10" tall, or as long as you would like!
BO sts loosely.
Weave in ends.
Wear and keep cozy!

i finally finished the little lacy shawlette i started a couple months ago. it's blocking now and i'll try and get some pictures in the daylight tomorrow! i'm hoping to wear it to the ny philharmonic concert in prospect park tomorrow night. it'll be just the right size for when it gets chilly after the sun goes down!

next up on the needles is a vest out of lion organic cotton and recycled cotton. i'm not entirely sold on it yet, since the stitch count for the small is a bit off, and has you ending with half a pattern repeat before the garter stitch edging. i'm going to give it a couple more rows to see, but i may be scrapping the vest for something else - possibly just a different vest!

as for the title of this post, if you check out my queue and favs on ravelry right now (i'm transientmeow over there) you will see i have a LOT of shawls saved!!!!! i've discovered they're the perfect use for all the yummy sock yarn out there if, like me, you don't really enjoy making socks all that much! (really, why make something and then turn around and do it all again?!) i will admit you sock fiends have made the yarn store shelves overflow with beautiful yarns, and now i have projects to show them off with!

i also have a couple skeins of true laceweight - itsy bitsy stuff! those are destined for the new 'ms clarke' pattern from the first fall 2010 issue of knitty, and the 'laminaria' shawl from a couple issues back. haven't started either one, but am definitely looking forward to it!

I decided to improvise a pattern for a cowl that would be suitable for my trip to Stitches West! I wasn't sure what the weather would be like, so I picked a lighter-weight yarn that would be good for the plane and the climate-controlled indoors!




Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, color Charcoal.
Quantity: 1 ball (207 yds)
Needles: US 9 24" circular
Notions: darning needle, stitch marker


CO 104 sts. Join to knit in the round.

Round 1: * knit 4, purl 4; rep from * to end
Round 2: rep row 1

Repeat these 2 rounds until cowl measures 1” (or however long you want your ribbing to be!)

Next round: * k2tog, yo; rep from * to end
Foll. round: knit

Repeat these 2 rounds until entire piece measures approx. 9” from beg.

Next round: * knit 4, purl 4; rep from * to end
Foll round: rep row 1.

Repeat these 2 rounds for another inch. BO and wear proudly!