Monday, March 30, 2015

March's Project: Greyhaven Cowl


One of my goals this year is to be intentional about supporting this fiber community by knitting a project each month for myself from a pattern or yarn made by an independent designer or small-business owner. This is February's Project! 

(you can read more about this project and see the other monthly patterns here)


I actually finished this month's project a little early. Partly because the lace pattern was so addicting to knit, but mostly because this cowl is perfect for early spring and I wanted to make sure I got plenty of wear out of it. 

The pattern is the Greyhaven Cowl (by Robin Ulrich). I used Madeline Tosh tosh sock yarn in the Cove colorway, which is a thinner wool than the pattern calls for. I did this on purpose because I wanted the cowl to be light and airy for spring. The yarn was a dream to knit with- so fun to see the variations in color knitting up into the pattern. I used the same size needles the pattern called for though, knitting the cowl at a looser gauge. 



I also really enjoyed the lace pattern of this cowl. Well written and fun and just really beautiful. I love that it was inspired by Tolkien's books and I think the colour of my yarn fits in with that as well. There's also a matching hat pattern that I may have to get my hands on at some point.

Another reason why I chose this pattern had to do with wanting to replace this cowl. It was the first thing I ever knit for myself (pattern by Cathy Carron knit in Misti Alpaca chunky) and it was perfect. I wore it for two full Vancouver winters almost every day and then it somehow got lost in the shuffle of our cross-continental move. Though this is different, there are undeniable similarities, and I think that this new cowl fits better with my style now (which, as you can see from the photos of that old cowl has evolved very minimally...or rather, basically not at all.) 



The only downside is how it rolls at the top and bottom (see above photo). I know this is a side effect to stocking stitch lace patterns, and probably also has to do with the lightness of the yarn and loose gauge I knit at but even after aggressive blocking there's been no improvement. Not a big deal, but a little disappointing to be sure.

I think I'll have to make this again using a thicker wool once Fall rolls around!

6 comments:

  1. That cowl is gorgeous! I love how well the yarn and pattern go together, even if it rolls some. I have a weakness for knits inspired by Tolkien, and this one sounds like a fun knit!

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    1. thanks Kat! it sure is a fun one. I've never come across any other knits inspired by Tolkien, any favorites you want to share?

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  2. Hello, I'm a novice knitter and it's so inspiring for me to read your blog !
    I think I'm going to try to knit this cowl and I would like to know - as you used finer wool with the same size needles suuggested in the pattern - did you have to cast on more stiches to have the same result and how much ?
    Thank you if you have a little time to tell me, it will be helpfull !
    (and sorry for my english : I'm a french girl !)
    Isabelle.

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    1. hello Isabelle- thank you for your comment!
      In the pattern there is a cast on count for a smaller and larger sized cowl. I cast on for the larger cowl which gave me an finished measurement between the two. I'm really happy with the size it turned out, but I wouldn't want it to be any larger. Hope this helps!
      Also don't worry at all about your English- it's excellent!

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    2. Thank you very much for your answer - it will be really helpfull for sure - I just received the yarn and I'm so impatient to start this knit !
      See you soon on your blog I hope !
      (and tanks to for my english ...)
      Isabelle.

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  3. It's gorgeous, love it in the Madeline Tosh yarn! Mmh, might have to make this cowl as my next project as soon as I finish the hat I'm currently working on :)

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