Some patterns just look like they would be amazing stash busting projects. I know the vast majority of the time designers make a project with a particular yarn for a reason, and knitters tend to like having more information about the yarn used in a pattern than “some random stuff I found in my stash.”
All of that is true of the Ellensburg Cowl pattern from Blue Sky Fibers, too, but when I look at this project I see a stash buster.
It’s hard not to imagine all your little odd balls going into this generous cowl, which features slipped stitches, stripes, textured stitch patterns and a bit of stranded knitting, too.
The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, including one hank that’s about 123 yards and a bundle of colors, each of which is only 12 yards, so it would be easy to find odd balls and leftovers in your stash to make this project with. In all it uses eight colors, and makes a cowl that measures about 9 inches high and 45 inches long. That size is perfect for wearing as one long loop or twisted around your neck twice for extra warmth.
It uses a size 8 US circular knitting needle and is rated for advanced beginners.
This kind of project is super inspiring to me as a designer and a person with a lot of stash I want to use, because it shows you how a bunch of different colors can look harmonious in the same project. Of course that’s easier when you’re using a bundle of yarn that’s made to coordinate, but you can do it with balls from your stash as well.
This pattern is available as a free download (but you will need to set up an account to download it) from Blue Sky Fibers.
[Photo: Blue Sky Fibers.]
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