Book Review: 60 Quick Cowls

January 28, 2016 by Sarah White Leave a Comment

In a knitting group that I belong to on Facebook, someone recently asked what the big deal is about cowls. Why would someone knit a cowl instead of a scarf, she wondered.

Personally, I like the fact that all your knitting effort goes where you need it most, around your neck rather than hanging down your body.

Cowls also tend to be quicker projects because there is usually less knitting involved than in a 6-foot-long scarf, and people can see most of your knitting handiwork even when you’ve got a coat on (where a scarf might be tucked into your coat).

If all those reasons aren’t enough to get you interested in cowls, maybe the book 60 Quick Cowls: Luxurious Projects to Knit in Cloud and Duo Yarns from Cascade Yarns will pique your interest.

Another in the 60 Quick series published by Sixth & Spring Books, this one uses two Cascade yarns that combine merino wool and baby alpaca in different weights.

The book opens with a little information about the alpaca, which is nice I guess if you’ve never knit with or heard of alpacas before, but doesn’t really affect your understanding of or appreciation for the fiber if you’ve worked with it before.

It goes on to include 60 cowl patterns — the vast majority rated easy or intermediate, with none for beginners and only two for experts — covering a range of embellishment options and styles, from ponchos to loose loops and short cowls that hang close to the neck.

Many knitting techniques are represented here including textured stitches, stranded knitting, slip stitches, stripes, intarsia, cables, bobbles, lace and entrelac. One project is mostly crochet — granny squares with a knit edging.

There’s so much variety here (check out all the patterns on Ravelry) that there’s likely to be something to suit just about everyone. Some of my favorites include a chunky Fisherman’s Rib cowl in a solid color, a sweet little monochrome project using welts, a zig-zag combo of lace and textured stitches and a brightly colored, stripes and chevron number that slides down over the shoulders.

Book specifications: 156 pages, paperback with interior flaps, 60 patterns. Sixth & Spring Books, published November 2015. Suggested retail $17.95

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Knit Vests to Help Transition to Warmer Weather

Last year I cleaned out my closet and realized that I had about 24 handknit sweaters. This knowledge hasn’t completely stopped me from knitting more sweaters, but it did get me thinking about places in my wardrobe where I might actually need more knit things, and one thing I noticed a lack of was knit vests.

I have a couple of them and I love them for layering when it starts to get a little warmer, like when it’s cool in the morning but hot in the afternoon, or cold in a building but warmer outside. I’ve already knit myself one new vest this year, and with these patterns I’m pretty sure I’ll be making more.

This chunky vest pattern from Daisy and Peace on Etsy is sort of the quintessential vest you think of when you think of knit vests, with a scoop neck and ribbed edges. It uses bulky yarn and is great for beginners since it is worked flat. There are six sizes available.

The Knit Purl Girl has another pretty take on the basic knit vest, this time with a higher, double folded neckline. The Semper Slipover is worked with a mohair blend and a wool yarn held together to make a DK weight gauge. The tops of each side are worked separately, then joined for working in the round.

Minimi Knit Design has another great take on a classic vest, this time with a v-neck. It’s worked in the round from the top down using worsted weight yarn. Sizing ranges from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm actual bust measurement.

One thing about all the vests I have right now is that they are pullovers, but this version with buttons is pretty cure, too. It’s from MMadisonMarie on Etsy, and it uses fuzzy, chunky yarn and has an oversized fir with a V-neck and button closure. It’s worked flat and comes in three sizes.

Or you could make this cute vest with an I-cord tie, from Nicoline Sofie Knit. It’s worked from the top down starting with all the pieces separate, then joining and working the whole piece back and forth in rows. It has I-cord edging, comes in six sizes, and calls for a combo of alpaca and a glittery yarn.

Svetlana Volkov’s Nola Slipover is made with two strands of worsted weight yarn held together to get a bulky gauge. It has a high neck and roomy armholes, with a slightly cropped body. It’s available in eight sizes and you can get a copy on Ravelry.

Knit a Vest with Cabled Details

Knit a Cozy Vest for Fall

Play with Fisherman’s Rib in This Fun Long Vest Project

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