Second Nature Cowl Pattern available

I have a new cowl pattern available. It's called the Second Nature Cowl.

A bulky, warm, woollen Basketweave cowl, this is a very quick and easy cowl to make.  It's worked in the timeless favourite, basketweave stitch, in 100% wool.

The yarn I've used is Cleckheaton Country Wide which is a bulky, machine washable wool.  Their red is just the tone I love, but maybe you could go with something more subtle.  It really is Second Nature.

Second Nature Cowl
Knitting Pattern

Yarn suggested: Cleckheaton Country Wide, 50g balls, each approx 49m(54 yds) (100% wool) or any other Bulky / 12 ply yarn

Gauge: 13.5 sts and 20 rows to 10cm(4 ins) in Basket Stitch using 7mm needles.

Needle Size: 7mm needles or size to obtain gauge. (Gauge is not terribly important for this piece.)

Meterage:  245 m, 270 yds

Sizes Available: Circumference 84cm (33 in), Width 31.5cm (12 1/2 in)

This pattern is available to buy from Ravelry for $US 4.25

Now, where was I?

The normal duties of everyday life have rudely taken me away from my knitting and design. Dreadful!

But a few things have progressed.

The Abundance Pullover is currently being test knitted by five lovely testers on Ravelry.

After having to re-knit a few mistakes, the cowl is finished and has been sent to a magazine publisher for consideration.

I’ve knit one of a pair of fingerless mitts that I’ve designed, and am half way through the second. I was reminded today why knitting a pattern which requires concentration, and doing increases on every third row, is not a good idea while enjoying excellent company and conversation. Dammit! Yet again, it’s the small items which thwart me.

First with the latest

Yet again, I’m the first use a new Heirloom brand yarn on Ravelry.  Dye lot 001 again!  This time it’s Heirloom Shetland 10ply, pictured. 

Previously it’s been Heirloom Celone, which is a gorgeous blend of wool, alpaca and silk. And I’m still the only one linking to Celone. My philosophy, if that’s what you want to call it, is to use yarns Aussies can easily find in their Local Yarn Store. Is that a good tack to take? The Celone is a lovely yarn, so I don’t know why others aren’t linking to it. Maybe if the Heirloom company put up some patterns using this yarn, it may get more of a go. Or maybe they don’t have pattern leaflets in the store. I haven’t looked for them.

The Heirloom Shetland is a harder feel than the yarns I’m used to, but I think it’s going to make some lovely warm mitts, which is my reason for buying it.

More irons in the fire.

I’ve put in a submission to a magazine. Yay me! And I’ve been contacted by them with suggestions. So I’m going to go ahead and knit the cowl I’m proposing. If they don’t end up going with it, I’ll publish it here and on Ravelry. But they sound interested at least. This is a whole new world for me. Another learning curve!

Also, I have my Abundance pullover in for testing with a few fantastic Ravelry members. So that’s another job, checking on their progress, being available to answer queries and to correct any errors this reveals.

I’m trying to maintain the rest of my life, while squeezing in this knitting fun. Or is it the other way around.

New Cowl Pattern Available – Hearts and Crosses cowl

My new Hearts and Crosses Cowl pattern is now available.
It’s a great way to practice your Fair Isle skills without having to knit a whole pullover. The carried threads of the Fair Isle really add warmth. Just what we want! I was a bit rusty, so it took a bit of practice for me to carry the threads loosely enough, no matter how hard I tried. Lightly pressing under a damp cloth got rid of those little stubborn bumps, and it looks lovely and smooth now.

The yarn I’ve used for the Fair Isle pattern is variegated and so has sparked up the whole look.

Hearts and Crosses Cowl

Knitting Pattern

Yarn suggested : Cleckheaton Country Naturals and Cleckheaton Country Prints or any other 8 ply/DK ply yarn

Gauge : 25 stitches = 4 inches in Fair Isle Stocking/Stockinette Stitch

Needle Size : 4mm circular needle 40cm (16 in)

Meterage : 140 mtrs / 155 yards Main Colour

65 mtrs / 70 yard Contrast Colour

This pattern is available to buy from Ravelry for $US 3.50