03 December 2010

cowls for the cold, part four

After envying our northern neighbors for the past week, we finally have snow!

Of course it's not nearly as much, but it's something. At least it makes a good excuse for a new cowl: the Chunky Cowl from Purls of Wisdom in Blue Sky Alpacas' Bulky.

I love the way the cowl reduces in circumference toward the chin, making it extra warm and cosy. And the yarn is sooo thick and soft. It does shed like the dickens, though, so thank goodness my winter coat is light gray not black!

My only change to the pattern was to cast off on the purl side rather than the knit side for a nicer top edge.

Such a quick knit (only an hour or so). But the blocking did take a full day, as I blocked it twice to reduce edge curl and keep it standing tall. Because at -2°C, the taller the better!

17 comments:

  1. keep lovely and warm.
    -10 just down the road from here last night x

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  2. It's gorgeous and looks very toasty warm.

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  3. Oh how lovely! If I had one I would sink my chin down into it, and not emerge until at least March.

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  4. It looks so snuggly and very appealing that it's such a quick knit! Love those wellies too!

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  5. Lovely! My scarves and gloves have been seeing a lot of use too. And I suspect I'll finish my mittens just in time for the thaw!

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  6. Very pretty, it does look very cozy!

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  7. Oh, it looks beautiful. Do you think I could knit a head to toe one to snuggle into? It was minus 4 in the playground today. Standing still watching the boys play football was not warm.

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  8. Oooh now then. Something to hide my double chin.

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  9. I could have used one of these lovelies in London today. It was frigidly cold! I can't remember EVER been so cold there. Please may I have knitting lessons in the new year?

    p.s. I am wearing -- yes, inside -- a handknitted scarf that my mother made for Xmas last year!

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  10. That book is on my christmas list...and I have some blue sky bulky, too....mmmm!

    Looks gorgeous, very snuggly.

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  11. you're the cowl queen Kristina!

    that looks gorgeous too

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  12. Alpaca is such a terrific wool for winter accessories, so cosy and warm!

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  13. Ooooh I always like the cowls you make.The wellies are very trendy too!

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  14. Spectacular! Wondering if even I might be able to figure out how to follow that pattern. And those wellies are FAB.

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  15. What a beauty! And the purl finish is lovely.

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  16. Your cowl looks beautiful, what a perfect time to make it you must have had loads of use from it in the last few weeks. I was interested to see how casting off on the purl side gave it a better finish (I checked out the alpacca wool site too, what wonderful colours!)

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