Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Knit a Simple Color Blocked Cowl – Great for Beginners

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fabre cowl very shannonI’ve had my eye on the Fabre Cowl from Very Shannon for a while, so I’m glad I finally got to it on my list of things to share with you. This simple color blocked cowl is all Stockinette Stitch worked flat, but the use of a provisional cast on and kitchener stitch mean it comes out seamless.

This is really pretty in black and white but would be great in any other color combo you like. You could even do it as a stash buster in stripes (just be aware the stripes would be vertical).

This one would be a super fast knit that’s perfect for gift knitting or to fend off the cold from your own neck.

[Photo via Very Shannon.]

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Knit a Sweet Hood Covered with Flowers

I happen to live in the Northern Hemisphere, but I know we have a lot of Southern Hemisphere friends, too, who are heading into the cooler months as we are warming up. Whichever one of the seasons you’re in, you might want to  stitch up this sweet little hood.

This pattern by saskie&co is called snug hood and it uses two colors of yarn to make a close-fitting pixie style hood (almost a balaclava but it doesn’t cover your face, though there is a neck covering portion to keep you a little warmer). You can use the fingering weight wool and mohair held together that are called for in the pattern, or use a single strand of DK weight yarn.

The neck portion and the edging around the face are worked in ribbing in a single color, while the body of the hat includes an allover colorwork flower pattern. The project is worked both flat and in the round and there is colorwork that is knit flat, which means you’ll have to purl in colorwork (which some people don’t like; also, you can’t see what you’re doing as well on the back of the work).

The pattern comes in one size and the colorwork is charted. Testers noted this is a quick and easy project and a great way to learn some new skills (chart reading, working stranded colorwork flat) if you’ve never tried those things before. They noted the hood is cute, comfortable and warm, and a few said it didn’t take as much yarn as the pattern suggests, so bear that in mind if you’re trying to use stash.

Speaking of the pattern notes, check out all the cute color variations in the projects on Ravelry. From pink and red to blue and white to gray and cream, there are lots of great options to think about.

You can buy this pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: saskie&co]