Getting Cozy

You can tell the weather here in Northern California has finally turned cold, because I am suddenly obsessed with knitting warm, cozy things. Right now, that means ALL THE COWLS.

I have one new cowl pattern, Glenborough, out being test-knit. It should be published in time for you to add to your holiday gift knitting if you like – or at least to your wintertime knitting if you need an extra cozy layer around your neck.

This cowl does have a tricky bit, and that’s the cast-on edge. I’m using an I-cord cast on, which makes it very neat and tidy, but it’s got a fiddly bit integrated into the cast-on row, so I’ll be recording a little video to help you through that part.

The thing that looks quite complicated – the plaid patterning – actually isn’t, once you get the hang of one or two little tricks. I’ll record a video for that, too, for those who best pick up information by watching it.

This is how teaching helps make me a better designer: Some of my students are visual learners, some are auditory learners, some learn well from videos, others from written, step-by-step instructions. As I work with them on my Zoom classes, I am reminded of this constantly, and it informs how I write about techniques within my designs. Ultimately, those who buy my designs are my students, too, and I want you to learn when you make a pattern of mine.

The next cowl off the needles will be another project that’s related to teaching: This brioche cowl is an example I use in my Two-Color Brioche in the Round class, and I’ve decided to work it up as a free pattern and make it available to everyone. I’m calling in Bri-Licious (because like all brioche, it’s scrumptiously squishy), and I expect to have that pattern up before year’s end.

The third cowl in my queue is only in the beginning stages: sketching and swatching. I thought you might like to see what that looks like.

When finished, it may be the coziest of them all, because it’s stranded, using Morehouse Farm’s 3-Strand Worsted 100% Merino yarn. That yarn is some of the softest, cushiest stuff you’ll come across, and the stranding means there are fluffy soft floats all along the inside of the work. I’ll do my best to get this cowl out to you in January while the weather still makes us want to tuck our chins inside an extra-warm layer of fluff.

In other news, I just signed up to participate in the Fasten Off Yarn-a-Long, a holiday event that’s helping designers and crafters find each other off Ravelry. A large number of independent designers (including me) are taking part and offering discounts on their patterns. There will be craftalongs, giveaways, and other fun plans. It starts Monday, November 23 and both Fizzy Drinks and Hope and Cheer will be eligible. If you’re a designer and want to join in, you have until tomorrow to get on board.

I hope your wintertime knitting is coming along swimmingly. What’s on your needles now?