Flurries Cowl had an error in row 4 of the brioche section. The pattern has been updated, and version 2 is now available. Download version 2 now

Row 4 now reads:

Row 4: k2, *(k2tog, k1), repeat from * to 1 st before m, k1, slm, k5.

It looks like some people have already finished their cowls! I can’t wait to see more.

Living in Chicago has taught me a lot about cold weather wear, and it’s only December. Bundling up is essential, but sometimes you overheat. This cowl is designed to combat woeful winter predicaments. A double set of buttons lets you button it loose or tight, allowing you to keep warm or stay cool and comfortable.

Loop it over your head to projects ears and necks from chilly breezes, or wear it cape-style under a coat to add an extra layer of warmth.

The Great Cowl KAL: Project Stats

This is the first pattern in The Great Cowl KAL.
Download now • Ravelry Page • Submit FOs • FAQ/Errata

Cost: Free
Due date: February 8, 2012 at 8 p.m. CST
Prize for completion: Free copy of A Very Good Cowl Indeed

To submit an FO, scroll down and use the form or go here (you don’t have to do both, it’s the same form).

See all rules here.

Flurries Cowl

Download now • Ravelry Page • Submit FOs • FAQ/Errata

yarn. Approximately 100 grams sport weight.

yarn shown. Becoming Art Agave Sport (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 250 yards per 100 grams) Color shown: Gypsy Love.

gauge. 6 sts per inch, smaller needle. Stockinette stitch.

needles. US 4 (3.5mm) 16” circular & US 8 (5mm) 16” circular.

finished size. 8” tall 21” in diameter (stockinette) 29” in diameter (brioche/garter) 20” in diameter (second buttons).

notions. 1 stitch marker, 8 buttons, & a darning needle

Submit FOs here.

Finally! I have photos of all of the patterns, and everything is ready to go. Here is the official schedule, as well as detailed previews of each pattern. After The Great Cowl KAL is over, you will be able to purchase the final 4 patterns as a set at a discount ($20 instead of $24).

You can view detailed yarn and needle requirements for each pattern here.

Schedule

Flurries Cowl
Published: January 30, 2012 (Monday)
Due: February 8, 2012 at 8 p.m. CST (Wednesday)

A Very Good Cowl Indeed
Published: February 9, 2012 (Thursday)
Due: February 16, 2012 at 8 p.m. (Thursday)

Weeble Wobble Cowl
Published: February 17, 2012 (Friday)
Due: February 29, 2012 at 8 p.m. CST (Wednesday)

Perpetually Persistent Cowl
Published: March 1, 2012 (Thursday)
Due: March 5, 2012 at 8 p.m. CST (Monday)

Blueberry Scowl
Published: March 6, 2012 (Tuesday)
Due: March 24, 2012 at 8 p.m. CST (Saturday)

Previews

All photos courtesy of Colin FitzGerald of Atlas Captures.
Modeled by Liz Abinante and Rachel Johnson.

Flurries Cowl

Yarn: Becoming Art Agave Sport (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 250 yards per 100 grams). Color shown: Gypsy Love.

A Very Good Cowl Indeed

Yarn, red: The Sanguine Gryphon Bugga! (70/20/10% merino, cashmere, nylon, 412 yards/100 grams). Color shown: Rusty Window. Flat sample.
Yarn, blue: Miss Babs Yummy Superwash Sock (100% superwash merino, 400 yards/100 grams). Color shown: Caterpillar. Round sample.

Weeble Wobble Cowl

Yarn: Creatively Dyed Yarn Steele (100% superwash merino, 510 yards per 150 grams). Color shown: Yucca.

Perpetually Persistent Cowl

Yarn: Malabrigo Rasta (100% merino; 90 yards per 150 grams). Color shown: Coronilla.

Blueberry Scowl

Yarn: Another Crafty Girl Merino Worsted (100% superwash merino; 215 yards per 100 grams). Color shown: Blueberry.

Special orders available! Contact Sarah via Etsy.

I spend an insane amount of timepicking which photo should be the main image for each pattern. Do I want the best photo of the model with ample detail, or is it better to use a general photo of the entire item? Should I go for quirky or serious? Is accurate color or detail more important? Should it be the best photo, or just the one I like the most?

See? It’s a trying process. This is how it went for 3 of The Great Cowl KAL patterns:

I wanted cohesive photos that used the same styling and background, but I also wanted them to be unique representations of the patterns. I used the same model for 3 of the patterns, and will be using the same background for all 5 (with the exception of some old photos for A Very Good Cowl Indeed).

Images 1, 2, 3, and 6 are of the Perpetually Persistent Cowl. I ended up going with image 1 because it was fun, quirky, and showed off the entire FO, including it’s size and detail, very well. I liked 6 for the styling, but it wasn’t the best image of the full pattern. I nixed image 3 altogether because it was too similar in function to image 1.

Images 4, 5, 8, and 9 are of Weeble Wobble Cowl. I picked image 5 for the main image because it showed off the drape and unique shaping the best of all of the photos. I tossed out image 4 because the styling wasn’t quite right, but kept 9 and 8 as examples of alternative styling options.

Images 7, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are of Blueberry Scowl. Image 10 was more fun than image 7, so I got rid of image 7. I liked image 13 for the main photo because it shows both the stitch motif, and the overall size of the FO, plus Rachel looks happy! I got rid of image 12 because it wasn’t as fun and styled as image 13.

We did a photo shoot this weekend for The Great Cowl KAL. I’ve only got 2 samples left to photograph, plus some detail shots of all the patterns, and 1 pattern awaiting feedback from my lovely tech editor. Hopefully both of those will be done sometime this week, and I’ll be able to compile the patterns this weekend. But! No promises on a specific release date just yet.

Here are some sneaky photos I nabbed of the 2 infinity cowls (double wrapped in both photos) with my iPhone while Colin was taking some shots of our model:

Weeble Wobble Cowl

Blueberry Scowl

I’ve never been big on New Years resolutions. It seems like a lot of pressure on one goal – why would you do that to yourself? There are a lot of things I would like to be improving of changing for 365 days, but nothing that I’d be willing to commit to over one-too-many drinks on New Years Eve! But, I do like the idea behind setting goals and improving things about yourself, so I make goals.

Ok, they’re basically resolutions. The word “resolutions” just sounds weird to me after you’ve said it 5 times like I have in this post.

… goal 1 should probably be to get better at counting.

Anyways! Goals for 2012! Do you have goals for 2012? Are they personal, professional, or knitting related? Mine are all 3, oddly enough. Perhaps I should think about improving my ability to over commit myself to my list for 2013?

Read 52 new books.

This one is kind of a cop out, but still important. I did it last year, and in 2010, and killed it in 2009. I’m still sticking with this challenge, though. My taste in books has changed a lot, and I am spending a lot more time with audiobooks than I am with printed ones. Even though I’m constantly reading, finishing 52 new books is a challenge for me.

Stick to my publishing schedule.

Over Thanksgiving, I sat down and mapped out all of the patterns I currently have in any stage of development through June. I’m giving myself 10% room for error because, well, you can’t be perfect every time, and 90% is a pretty impressive goal. I kind of regret forcing myself to stick with the 10% wiggle room thing, because that only gives me about 4 extra days. The schedule is not set in stone, nor is it perfect. It gets tweaked when projects get fast tracked, or adjusted to accomodate new KALs, or switched around to match my sales and new trends. Regardless, I will be constantly evaluating my publishing schedule, and sticking to it to the best of my abilities.

Spend more time with other hobbies.

I love painting with watercolors. I am not very good at it, I’m quite horrid, actually. But part of that stems from my weird appreciation of, and attitude toward, art. I don’t spend enough time with my watercolors, and it makes me sad.

Visit more of my local knitting groups.

I haven’t been to many knitting events since I moved. Quite frankly, it has been a bit overwhelming going from a town with one LYS 20 minutes away, to an enormous city with tons of stores within a 30 minute public transportation ride.

Teach more classes, make more appearances, do more.

I miss teaching, speaking, trunk shows, and appearances. A lot. I had to turn down some offers during 2011, and it made me really sad. I regret not having a sample in at Vogue Knitting Live, and I am bummed that I couldn’t make it to Stitches Midwest this year. But no more NO. As long as it can fit reasonably into my schedule, I will try to make it happen.

Keep Sunday brunch alive.

This is probably my favorite tradition that Colin and I have. Every Sunday, we visit Café Selmarie in Lincoln Square and have delicious brunch. It was a tradition I shared with anywhere from 2–10 friends when I lived in California. It’s a lot different only going with Colin, but it’s a good different. A fun different.

Save money.

I did a decent job on this one during 2011, but I’d like to try harder. Part of saving money is keeping better track of my personal and professional finances, which I finally got a handle on using Outright and Mint. I am easily seduced by graphs, ok!?

I couldn’t be more jazzed to announce this. In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be starting The Great Cowl KAL. Currently, there are 4 patterns being edited and photographed, and a fifth sample being knit. I’ll be posting preview photos as soon as I have them, but this post will contain yarn info, as well as project timelines and difficulty levels. The Great Cowl KAL will start at the end of January.

The Great Cowl KAL is an innovative new way to share patterns with you all, without doing a scary and expensive mystery KAL. They are regular patterns: you’ll get preview photos and all the normal information that comes with my patterns. The difference is you’ll have a chance to compete for prizes, including free patterns for everyone who completes the challenge.

Yup, you read that right: free pattern(s) for everyone who completes the challenge. How many free patterns you get is up to you!

This is how it works:

• Patterns are posted on a pre-set schedule. The amount of time for each pattern varies based on complexity, etc.
• You don’t have to do all of the patterns, you can jump in whenever you want. Consequently, you can also skip patterns if you want.
• Pattern #1 is free. All subsequent patterns can either be purchased, or earned by completing the KAL Challenge.
• Everyone who completes a pattern and submits proof will receive the next pattern free.
• Participants who complete all 5 patterns by a set date and submit photo proof will receive a special prize.

Nifty, eh? It’s a fun way for everyone to get free patterns and share their beautiful FOs. You could, in theory, get 5 free patterns if you knit them all, plus the super secret special prize at the end.

Now, I know I can’t just throw caution to the wind and spring a frightening number of projects with very specific yarn and needle requirements on you without warning. That’s just cruel. So here’s the info you’ll need.

How to sign up

Join the Ravelry group! I’ll post updates there when the patterns are available on the blog. If you prefer, you can sign up for the mailing list – see the column on the right of the screen.

Yarn & pattern info, plus timelines

Pattern 1: Flurries Cowl (free)
A little bit of a unique project combining stockinette worked in the round, and brioche worked flat. Designed to be worn in frigid outdoor temperature, but it also won’t cause you to overheat on public transportation.

• Yarn: Approximately 100 grams sport weight yarn, variegated is perfect for this. Solid is ok too.
• Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) 16″ circular, and US 8 (5.0mm) 16″ circular
• Notions: 1 stitch marker, 8 small buttons (between 0.5″ and 0.75″ in diameter) & darning needle
• Timeline: 9 days

Pattern 3: Weeble Wobble Cowl ($6, or free)
Comprised of stockinette and garter stitch with short rows, this infinity cowl incorporates unique shaping to add some zest to a simple project. Very easy to work, and is ideal for that luxury skein of fingering weight, or that wonderful variegated yarn you’ve been hiding from me.

• Yarn: Approximately 120 grams (410 yards) fingering weight. You will use all of this. Smaller skeins of ok, just knit fewer stockinette rows.
• Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) circular needle (I always use 16″, but you could use a 20″ or larger for this)
• Notions: 1 stitch marker, darning needle
• Timeline: 12 days

Pattern 4: Perpetually Persistent Cowl ($6, or free)
A break from the larger projects, this quickie cowl provides tons of warmth and a fun cable ribbing. This pattern is an all over cable/rib texture. The super bulky yarn provides a satisfying knit, and makes me hate living in freezing cold Chicago a lot less (I really do love it here, swear!). Variegated is ok, but nothing too crazy.

• Yarn: Approximately 100 120 grams of super bulky – I used Malabrigo Rasta (1 skein os 120 grams).
• Needles: US 17 (12.75mm) 16″ circular
• Notions: 1 stitch marker, darning needle
• Timeline: 4 days

Pattern 5: Blueberry Scowl ($6, or free)
The home stretch! This pattern is quite a bit larger, and is a convertible infinity cowl/scarf combo. I’d recommend a tonal semi-solid for this one, but you could use a variegated and be just as happy. Buttons are key here! This pattern utilizes ribbing and brioche.

• Yarn: Approximately 200 grams worsted weight yarn
• Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) needle – I’d recommend circular due to project size.
• Notions: 2 stitch markers, 3 buttons (approximately 1″ in diameter) & darning needle
• Timeline: 18 days

Thistle Cap has been updated! No longer part of the free Holiday Hat KAL, the pattern is available for $3. But! I’ve made improvements. I have adjusted the sizing slightly – some said the pattern was too large – and added additional smaller sizes for more options. The gauge listed is taken before blocking.

I like to think I’m not a selfish knitter, but sometimes I kind of am. I spend more time designing and working up samples for patterns that I have very little time left to knit. People often expect hand knit gifts as a result of my constant needle working, and I get a wee bit stressed come holiday times. My solution? Quick, easy, unisex gift knits that can be whipped up during a movie marathon. Thistle Cap works up pretty quickly – faster if you cable without a cable needle.

Thistle Cap is a unisex hat that is quick to knit and fun to wear – just look at the funny faces you can make while wearing it!

Buy Thistle Cap now – $3, includes 7 sizes:

Infant (0–6 months), 16.5” circumference (included, but still testing)
Toddler (6–18 months), 18.5” circumference (included, but still testing)
Child / Women’s Small, 20” circumference
Women’s Medium, 22” circumference
Women’s Large / Men’s Small, 23” circumference
Men’s Medium, 25” circumference
Men’s Large, 26” circumference

Yarn
Approximately 180 yards aran weight yarn.

Shown in
The Grinning Gargoyle Doppio MCN (80% merino, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon; 181 yards per 100 grams).

Needles
US 7 (4.5mm) 16” circular
US 8 (5.0mm) 16” circular
Set of US 8 (5.0mm) DPNs

Gauge
4.5 sts per inch, 2×2 ribbing unstretched
before blocking

Finished Sizes, Premium Version
Infant (0–6 months), 16.5” circumference (included, but still testing)
Toddler (6–18 months), 18.5” circumference (included, but still testing)
Child / Women’s Small, 20” circumference
Women’s Medium, 22” circumference
Women’s Large / Men’s Small, 23” circumference
Men’s Medium, 25” circumference
Men’s Large, 26” circumference

The original free pattern was supposed to be for a 23″ circumference. Lots of people were commenting that this was coming out too large (closer to a 25″ cap), so was what once a 23″ is now considered 25″ in the latest release. I do believe that yarn has a lot to do with this: my yarn was very lofty and the ribbing has a lot more ease than you would expect (about 6″, no joke). If you are having problems with sizing, please contact support@feministy.com.

Notions
1 stitch marker
Darning needle

There were so many great scarves entered into the KAL – it was really fun going through the list and picking out winners. I loved a lot of them, so much more than I posted on here, actually.

Winners should drop me an email at liz@feministy.com to collect their prize.

Cary: Indie Yarn Winner

Prize: 1 skein of yarn – your choice! – from Another Crafty Girl’s etsy shop

Domguyane: C’est Parfait!

Prize: 1 pattern from my pattern library, your choice

Love2Stitch: So Meta

Prize: 1 ebook from my pattern library, your choice

Wendrish: Best Gift

Prize: 1 pattern from any designer on Ravelry, your choice

Anotherhornfrog: Best Bones

Prize: 1 pattern from my pattern library, your choice

ortsandaughts: Favorite Fall Colors

Prize: 1 skein of yarn – your choice! – from Black Sheep Dyeworks’ etsy shop

nightmorning: Best Mods

Prize: 1 ebook from my pattern library, your choice