Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Giveaway: 60 Quick Cowls

by 59 Comments

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:

Comments

  1. I am a cowl person all the way. It works better in my life with a little one. Then I don’t have to worry about it falling off. Thanks for the chance to win. This looks like a great book. (Rav ID: Zima21)

  2. I will wear or knit either but I do love to knit cowls. For some reason knitting in the round feels more productive.

  3. I personally am more of a scarf person. I have knit both but for my personal use I like scarves.

  5. I’m a scarf person, but love cowls! One is next on my list. Thanks for the chance to win!!

  6. Just the kind of book I need for all my 1 or 2 skein yarns! I’d be maiking them for other folks, as I do prefer scarves to cowls, and usually don’t wrap them all the way around my neck anyway. That may be a guy thing, because I hate to have my scruffy neck and chin pull and pill the yarn. No matter how closely I shave, the yarn finds the stubble! KittenWhiplash on Rav thanks you for another great giveaway!

  8. If it’s really cold, a scarf can be wrapped closer round the neck. Sometimes a cowl can leave gaps for the cold air to get in. I do love a nice cowl though

  18. I like both, but I tend to wear more scarves because I can tie them tight around my neck. This book looks amazing. Thanks for another great giveaway!!

  19. This looks like a great book to help use up those small quantities of yarn in stash. As a cowl person, I’m always on the look-out for new patterns.

  23. I’m usually a scarf person. Cowls come and go but scarves are always in fashion.
    I plan to knit a long Dr. Who scarf when I retire.

  25. I thought I was a scarf person but I’m knitting my first cowl now. I’m thinking I’ll like the convenience of it not falling off my neck all the time, and like you I need the warmth up around my face.

  27. I love cowls. No fighting with loose ends. It’s not too tight or too loose. Doesn’t get tangled in your car seat belt. I’d love this book. 🙂 I do like an artsy, floaty scarf just for show, though.

  28. Traditionally I have been a scarf person, but I have one long cowl I love, and am eager to make and try more of them 🙂
    Thanks for the chance to win!

  29. I love them all, scarves, bandanas, cowls, infinity scarves – anything that will keep the back of my neck warm (except long hair, can’t do it).

  31. I, too, have developed a like for a cowl around my neck rather than a scarf. I love the blue and turquoise cowl pictured and would be interested in making it.

  32. If I could just win this one, it would go wonderfully with the two I already have and I could start my own knitting library! These are WONDERFUL books by the way.

  35. I’m definitely in the cowl camp, but I have more than a few scarves in my bin that I’ve knit and more on the way. But I find I get more instantaneous gratification from knitting cowls – I’m tall so I like my scarves long, and sometimes I find myself checking frequently to see “if I’m there yet” with the desired length – something that never happens with me in the round. I have more time than I would like to wear my pieces though, it’s cold up here!
    Heather

  36. I like both cowls and scarves – but probably lean more toward large scarves that can wrap around a few times. It can get really cold here in Saskatchewan.

  37. Because I’m from an older generation, I was raised on scarves. I’d really like to switch off between scarves and cowls, but haven’t found a cowl that I’d like to make yet. This book looks like it should have a few patterns in it that I could make, and I would be more than satisfied. I’d probably make a few for some of my friends as well. Thank you for the generous giveaway. You always know the right item to bring out at the right time to put in your giveaways!!

  38. I didn’t see a real need for cowls until I got my hair cut short and me neck got cold. Now I have made several and wear them alot.

  39. Neckwear for me are cowls and shawls. Cowls for ease (mostly) and shawls (many wrapped and draped in a cowl-like manner) for wow factor.

  44. I’m absolutely a cowl person. I love that they stay put. I also love the fact that I can pull some of them up on to my head like a hood to cover my ears.

  45. Loving cowls , always did love the cowl shape on sweaters , so having a cowl that you can just slip on or off is great. With a scarf I tend to wrap it round like a cowl anyway

  47. I love knitting cowls, and have knit more than a few for quick, pretty gifts for holidays and birthday presents.

  49. I am actually more of a scarf person, but everyone I knit for – family, friends – love cowls and they are fun to make! thanks!

Have you read?

Book Review: Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit & Crochet Blankets

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four. 

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *