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Giveaway: 60 Quick Cowls

February 1, 2016 by Sarah White

Get some warmth quickly with 60 Quick Cowls.

Congratulations to Adrienne!

It has been unseasonably warm for a few days here in Arkansas, though it’s going to start getting cold again tomorrow. I’m guessing most of us in the Northern Hemisphere still have some winter ahead of us, so there’s still time to knit some winter accessories to use this year (at least I keep telling myself that as I’m still trying to finish my daughter’s gloves for the year).

So it seems fitting to give away a quick knitting book that will help you knit something to keep you warm now and maybe also some things you’ll still wear into spring.

60 Quick Cowls has a wide range of options, projects of various sizes, using all sorts of knitting techniques. The yarns called for are alpaca/merino blends from Cascade Yarns, but of course you could use this opportunity to knit from your stash as well.

When I reviewed this book the other day, I mentioned that I’m becoming more of a cowl person that a scarf person because I like having all the knitting up around my neck where I need it.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, February 7. I’d love to know if you’re a scarf person or a cowl person, both to knit and to wear.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Next Pattern:

  • Book Review - 60 Quick Knits for Beginners
  • Book Review - Knitting Socks: Quick and Easy Way to…
  • Book Review: Vogue Knitting The Ultimate Quick Reference
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Comments

  1. Nicky says

    February 4, 2016 at 11:43 pm

    I love both. On really cold days I wear a cashmere/merino cabled cowl, but on warmer days I wear either a traditional scarf or an infinity scarf. Love to wear anything around my neck!

  2. Siaron says

    February 5, 2016 at 2:28 am

    I like both to wear both and I make both too. Depends on the weather as I find cowls warmer and cosier – I feel underdressed if I go out without something around my neck!

  3. Steph says

    February 5, 2016 at 2:33 am

    I love to wear cowls, they’re more practical as there are no loose ends flying around, but I prefer to knit scarves because I feel you can be more creative with them

  4. Patrice says

    February 5, 2016 at 1:30 pm

    Last few years I have knit more cowls than scarves.

  5. Carmen N says

    February 5, 2016 at 2:18 pm

    I tend to lean towards cowls more; I can throw them on and not worry about them falling off as I move around.

  6. Elizabeth says

    February 6, 2016 at 12:44 pm

    I love to knit them both, but prefer to wear cowls.

  7. marydav says

    February 6, 2016 at 6:07 pm

    I have just recently gotten back into knitting. I haven’t knit any cowls yet, but wish I had one these past few chilly days. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  8. Katie says

    February 7, 2016 at 5:39 am

    Cowls! They stay in place.

  9. Cindy says

    February 10, 2016 at 9:08 am

    I prefer cowls if I’m going in and out of buildings.

« Older Comments

Have you read?

Book Review: No Fear Sock Knitting

I feel like when it comes to things that people are afraid to knit, socks probably top the list. I’ve heard people say they would never knit socks because they look too hard, but really you just need to know a few basic things (and trust the pattern even though it sounds wrong the first time you do it) to master socks. 

Denise DeSantis aims to take the worry out of knitting socks with No Fear Sock Knitting. Based on a class on her YouTube channel, it includes all the basic information you need to make sock knitting feel easier, along with eight patterns for both top down and toe up socks. 

The book generally covers types of needles and yarn you might use to knit socks, as well as other supplies you will need. It looks at the parts of the sock, different knitting needle configurations used to knit socks, how to read a pattern (including abbreviations and terms you might find in sock patterns), discussion of ease, how to measure your foot and choosing the correct size to knit.

It includes two options each for casting on cuff down and toe up socks, as well as four options for cuff treatment. It explores the heel flap and turn method for top down and toe up socks, as well as short row heels using a shadow wrap (worked with a leg from the stitch below) and a square heel. There’s a discussion of avoiding holes and fixing other problems in heels.

Likewise with toes there are several options, including a wedge toe, round toe and anatomical toe (different on each foot) for both cuff down and toe up socks. There are also tutorials for grafting and Jeny’s surprisingly stretchy bind off, depending on which direction you’re going. There’s also a tips section that covers things like avoiding ladders, changing colors. matching stripes and more. 

After all that preparation, there are eight patterns to choose from: short socks worked from the top down that are a perfect first-sock sock, a basic ankle-length toe-up sock, a DK weight sock worked from the top down with different length options, a “vanilla” sock with a short row heel worked top down, an ankle sock with a garter stitch cuff, one with a leg worked in alternating colors with a contrasting heel and toe, a sock worked in a helical stripe pattern and a striped sock with a garter stitch heel. 

Three of the patterns are rated at skill level two on a scale of three, while the rest are level one. They’re all pretty straightforward, they just use different techniques you might not have tried before. Since only one is made to be toe up, there are also tips for converting the other patterns to toe up if you’d rather work that way. Each pattern includes three size options. 

This book is a nice introduction to sock knitting, with lots of techniques to reference and simple patterns to take the fear out of the process. I’m not sure these are patterns you’ll come back to time and again but they are a good place to start if you’ve never knit socks before. 

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 8 patterns. Published 2025 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.

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