It started with this post I made last June here on 285bound.com: On one of the knitting blogs I follow (and yeah, that means there's more than one and this will only get geekier), the author announced a contest to win a very, very yummy skein of Cashmere yarn from France that was in his stash. No real rules, totally subjective on his part, you just had to write why you wanted it and what you were going to do with it. I took the totally selfish approach rather than altruistic because really, if I were to have a $55 skein of cashmere I'm sure not making something to give away. Nope. Part 2 of the saga occurred later in the week on another knitting blog (The Yarn Harlot
http://www.yarnharlot.com for anybody who reads her - she's freakin' hysterical if you don't) when Steven of the first blog caused quite a ruckus over the official definition of lace. (Told you this would get geekier!) Over 1200 people jumped in immediately with their opinion - who knew people could feel so strongly about the definition of lace for cryin' out loud - so in a little fit of smart-assedness I posted basically that I would vote for whatever would win me that skein of cashmere over on Steven's blog.
http://bitchesgetstitches.net/Well, Steven read it and I won!! He especially liked that I went against my own principles on what defined lace on his behalf and for completely selfish reasons. He's just twisted enough that I've decided I love him madly. (And yes, the fact that I apparently have principles on the definition of lace has not escaped my notice and scares me just a little bit.)
Compounded by this:
The model is Steven A's dog, Mo. I may be in love with him as well.
Results in this:
Pattern: Pretty Thing cowl by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, pattern is available on Ravelry
That's when the fever started. Next thing you know I'm reading books like Cowlgirls (available at the Knook, of course) and books on lace design and before I know it I'm thinking thoughts like, "I could design a cowl. How hard can it be?" (Those who know me well know that phrase rarely leads to anything good.)
So, the first attempt resulted in this:
Yarn is Cascade EcoDuo, a very soft alpaca/merino blend that I had to have after petting it at the Knook.
Doesn't totally suck, but there are a couple of disclaimers:
1. It will look better after it's blocked, but I was in a hurry at 5am this morning.
2. It would also look better if I hadn't just slapped it on a chair to photograph but, as noted, I was in a hurry at 5am this morning. I'll post a picture later of it on a person instead of a rocking chair.
3. Apparently if one wants a cowl long enough to pull up as a hood, one should measure one's freakin' head before casting off.
4. Even blocking the snot out of this will not make it long enough to pull up as a hood. Really should have measured my head.
5. On the other hand, I accidentally discovered while doubling it up around my neck that a) I should have taken my glasses off before trying this trick and b) doubled up it actually kind of works in the hood position as long as you don't mind your ears held very snugly against your head.
So, I have revised the pattern to address items 2 through 4 and am knitting that version up. Stay tuned. In the meantime, if you happen to like it, it's available at the Knit Knook as a free pattern when you purchase Cascade Eco Duo yarn. Hope to see you at the shop or visit Diane's website at http://www.knitknook.com
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