In Stormy Alaska, leftover yarn is a knitted lacy cowl to the rescue

This week, I’m knitting with Rozetti Yarns Alaska, a light and airy yarn that wraps one in warmth and softness.

In this last post for the week, I’ll make a lacy cowl to complete my very airy and soft ensemble. I was very happy with the lacy swatch on day 2, so I thought it would be lovely to have a lightweight cowl to wear with my new hat that I created yesterday. You can get the pattern there.

The stitch pattern is from a book entitled Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible by Hitomi Shida. It’s a wonderful resource for cable and lace patterns that can be easily incorporated into a project. I often reuse a pattern stitch from one project to the next; especially socks. I love taking a motif from a hat or sweater that I recently completed and incorporating it into the leg of socks. This makes for a unique sock pattern exclusive to me.

This pattern is designed over 14 stitches and 24 rows, therefore, I’ll cast on using a multiple of 14 stitches on circular needles to work in the round. It could also be done on straight needles and worked flat, however, 2 extra stitches should be cast on as a selvedge.

Here’s what you’ll need for this project:

materials

• 1 ball Alaska – Stormy
• 32” US5 [3.75mm] circular needle (magic loop), or dpns
• stitch marker
• Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible: 260 Exquisite Patterns by Hitomi Shida

gauge 21 sts, and 29 rows over 4” [10cm] in pattern using US5 [3.75cm] needle.

finished measurements are approximately 18” circumference, and 8” in height.

Cast on 98 stitches using US5 [3.75mm] needle and join in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.  Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.

I worked 5 rows of garter stitch, and then began the pattern repeat. I worked two pattern sets, then another 5 rows of garter stitch, and cast off all my stitches. After sewing in the ends, and blocking, I have a lovely soft cowl.

If you recall on Day 1, I mentioned that my criteria as a yarn snob is:

1. Are the colors pleasing to me,
2. Do I like the feel of the yarn,
3. Do I like knitting with it, and most important of all,
4. Do I like wearing the finished project?

I was knitting the Choux Cowl in public amongst my social knitting circles, and was quite taken by the attention it drew. The colors, the texture, and the pattern attracted many to where I was perched, and once they felt it, the reaction was the same . . . What is this yarn? It’s so soft!

Yes, Rozetti Yarns Alaska qualifies in my books. I checked off items 1 and 2 on Day 1, but it was confirmed for me by my knitting friends. I also found that the more I worked with it, the less the stickiness of the yarn impeded my progress, so item 3 has been answered positively. As for item 4, I’m very pleased with my finished projects as they are all very soft and warm to wear, and look great!

Happy Knitting!