Jenn, our social media and newsletter maven, test knit the Winterline "Cowlkerchief" this fall. She loved knitting the project so much that she was convinced that it would make a great project for holiday gifting.
For me, it was the perfect excuse to set my sweater aside and knit with our new Plucky Snug Bulky yarn. We needed a sample in the shop, right? I cast on with a cheerful red called Tomato Jam. The merino, cashmere and alpaca blend creates a big bouncy yarn that is a delight to knit.
I knit a small swatch just to make sure I was going to hit gauge on the recommended US 10 needle. As you can see, I didn’t make it very big and I didn't cut the swatch from the skein so the yarn could be reused. (Please note, this is not how to swatch for a sweater!)
I cast on the project while waiting for dinner to cook and by the time I went to bed I had finished the third horizontal braid.
The stitch pattern is addictive and fun. Joey includes some great video tutorials for the knit through the back loop backwards stitch (much harder than it sounds) and for the horizontal braid.
The second night we went out for supper so I only got a bit completed but I finished the project the third night.
Just a side note, when changing skeins, I did so near the edge, but not right on the slip stitches. Then I could weave the ends into the i-cord edge.
I gave it a good soak and blocked it to the exact measurements listed in the pattern. I waited and waited for it to dry, thanks to the damp weather here on the peninsula. Finally, I hauled it out to the living room to dry in front of the fire.
I seamed the cowl, leaving the slipped stitch exposed up the back for a tidy seam.
So who will be the recipient of this warm "cowlkerchief"? My youngest daughter who is heading into quite the chilly winter season in Nashville!
