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Giveaway: 60 Quick Cowls

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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!

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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?

Knit a Garter Stitch Blanket with a Twist

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]