CROCHET A PRETTY COWL – A TWIST ON THE SCARF

I’ve been running across so many cowl patterns lately that it MUST be a trend. I’m not one who is usually ‘up’ on trends, especially fashion trends. But, for what it’s worth, I like using a cowl on cold, wintry days to keep my neck warm. Other scarves work well too, but these add a bit of color around the neck without much bulk, and can be used as ‘jewelry’ too – embellishing a simple sweater or even a sweatshirt.

Since these lovely cowls typically use small amounts of yarn, this is an opportunity to splurge on a skein of that special yarn you’ve been yearning for. It’s also an opportunity to use up some odds and ends you might have on hand. Since they work up so quickly, make some for yourself and as warming winter gifts for friends and loved ones.

Check out these freebies I’ve run across.

This first one is from a lovely blog written in Scotland. Be aware of the variations in stitch terminology. Check here for clarification:

http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/includes/chart_crochetterms.php

zig zag cowl 1019

http://goodtimesithinkso.blogspot.com/search/label/Crochet

Crochet Me offers this lovely freebie – really simple to make:

Flexi cowl CrochetMe

http://crochetme.com/patterns/flexi-cowl

If you have some vintage buttons or a pretty antique broach, use it to accent this cowl. Oh, by the way, you’ll actually need a long neck for this one! LOL. Not for me. But, it’s really pretty, isn’t it?

http://www.craftleftovers.com/blog/archives/433

Finally, there’s my all time favorite cowl – the simple Moebius. Use any weight yarn, any size hook, any soft fiber. Here’s one that two of our CrochetPartners offer:

Design concept by Mirjam Bruck Cohen, Israel Written by Bonnie Pierce, USA

http://home.comcast.net/~gandal195/MoebiusShawlPattern.htm

And, the absolutely easiest one of all is this freebie:

http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-absolutely-easy-neck-warmer/

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Once you get past the rush of the holidays, it’s time to focus on yourself and your home and what’s going to make you feel good for the rest of winter. For me, that’s having a homemade blanket in every room. I’m currently working on a granny stitch crochet blanket, but I wanted to share some cozy knit blanket patterns with you in case you’re on the lookout for something great to knit yourself or someone you love.

I have really been enjoying log cabin projects lately because they’re a great way to use stash and I love the connections between knitting and quilting. This log cabin scrap blanket pattern is free from Very Pink, and it includes a video tutorial if you haven’t done log cabin knitting before. It’s worked in garter stitch and has blocks that are connected by borders in a single color.

Speaking of scrap busting (since that’s on my mind all the time, but particularly when New Year’s resolution time rolls around), the Hue Shift Afghan by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence is worked in a huge array of colors in garter stitch mitered squares. The pattern has options for working with sport weight or worsted weight yarn, and the blanket is worked in quarters and then sewn together, but the individual squares in each section are worked off each other for minimal finishing. Get the pattern from Knit Picks.

If you’re looking for an easy pattern that has a lot of texture, this quilted knit throw from Mama in a Stitch is a great choice. It uses chunky yarn in a single color to make a simple knit and purl pattern that looks like diamonds. The designer notes that a lighter colored yarn is helpful for making the stitch pattern stand out, but you can try whatever color you like.

Or go even simpler with the Bella Vita blanket from Christaco Design. This one uses super bulky yarn (or make it a stash buster by holding two strands of worsted weight yarn together). The pattern has a seed stitch border and allover knit and purl pattern, and includes sizes from baby blanket to California king.

If instead you want a project that will challenge you and occupy your mind as well as your needles, try the Aran texture cable afghan knitting pattern from Pattern Professionals. This gorgeous design features panels of cables and other textured stitches, and the pattern is originally form the 1970s. It uses worsted weight yarn and each pattern strip is worked individually and sewn together (though you could combine them into one big panel if you’d rather).

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