Specs…

Lucy Cowl by Heidi Hennessy

My Rav project

I used an entire kit of Pepperberry Knits Fun Size Bundle in Urbanite

This was a fun little project – all stockinette in the round.  The original pattern uses even stripes repeated twice but I did uneven stripes to change it up a bit.

In the beginning I used a random stripe generator but then I switched to just deciding on the fly.  It kinda looks like something I’d get at the Gap.  Strong colors with some shades of gray thrown in too.

I used the Magic Knot to join the colors so I didn’t have to weave in all those ends.  Total lifesaver and the joins don’t look too bad.  Here’s a view of the joins (I flipped the cowl so you could see the wrong side).  I just made sure all the joins were in the latter half of one of the repeats so I could.  If you do this type of cowl, do yourself a favor and use the Magic Knot.

I can’t stress this enough.

The cashmere is awesome against my neck and I think I might pick up another bundle at some point.  I like the different colors and the small lengths (approx 40 yards each) made for fun decisions.  If I had more yardage for each I probably would have gone with more of my shades.  It was fun to be forced out of my comfort zone.  And hey – it’s even one of my goals!

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

I’ve been looking at accessories.  Fun to make, fun to wear, quick(er) to knit up.  And since it’s SO FREAKING COLD right now, keeping myself insulated is a priority.  Bonus points if I can wear them at work or at home too.

So riddle me this…what’s the difference between a cowl, a capelet, a cape, a poncho and a shawl.  Think you know?  I thought so too until I started browsing Rav.

I’ve decided there’s not a damned thing separating these.  Case in point.

• Seashore Cowl
• Sweetgum (cowl)
• Kansas City Cowl

I thought a cowl was more of a neck warmer?

Ok…next set

• Cabled Capelet
• Progression Cowl – doesn’t this look strikingly similar to the capelet to the left?
• Quatrain (cape) – ok I think I figured it out.  A cape is longer.  No, it’s the same length as the left one.  A cape has a turtleneck.  Damn that left again.

I’m starting to lose steam here.  Let’s look at another set.

• Appia (cowl) – maybe it’s a cowl because she’s not wearing it pulled down over her shoulders?
• Winter Capelet – I love this one but I can’t make sense of it.  Winter but it has a wide neck and lace.  I give up.
• Soft Shoulder Cowl/Shawl – this designer just gave up with the name.  Funny thing is this is what I think of when I think capelet – not cowl nor shawl.

Regardless of the names I love this accessory.  Or is it garment.  Maybe outerwear?

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

• Designers choose up to 20 designs to offer at 25% off – look at all of them
• The sale goes from Thursday Nov 13 – Friday Nov 21
• After that, the KAL goes until Dec 31st.  Knit ANY pattern from a participating designer to qualify.
• There are TONS of prizes – take a look
• More questions?  There’s a group on Ravelry for the GAL.

I spent some time yesterday going through the thread of participating designers – all TWELVE pages of them.  Lots of designers – many I recognize and some that are new to me as well.

Here are some of my faves.

Newsboy Hat Hannah, Tangerine Trees, Jamison Square, Ricochet, Lonely Road and Skipperling

October sunrise, Zippety, Colophon, Bluet, Sea Dragon Shawl and Red Robin Shawl

Antiquity, The Vampyre, Cycles Reversible Scarf or Wrap, Wickershanks, Phi and Biellese

Lichen, Lawsonia, Trilinear, Piewhacket and Rendezvous

23 designs – mostly smaller items like mitts and cowls but with a couple pullovers and larger shawls thrown in as well.

I couldn’t possibly knit these all in the GAL but I do plan to buy a few of the patterns later this week.  A couple have been in my faves for a while so why not save a couple bucks and support indie designers?  A win-win in my book.

What are you considering?  With so many designers I’m sure I missed a few.

I’ll catch you on the purl side.