Last week I was looking for a quick project. I wanted instant gratification. My requirements were: 1) it had to be fairly mindless, 2) had to be quick, and 3) had to use yarn from my stash. I happened upon the Jeweled Cowl, designed by Sachiko Uemura. It’s a free pattern on Ravelry.
I had just the yarn I wanted to use up: one skein of Viola Fancy Sock (a sock weight blend of 70% alpaca, 20% silk, and 10% cashmere; 437 yards for 100 grams) in the color Pebble. This yarn is so soft and lovely; it begs to be worn next to the skin. Plus I even had beads in an appropriate color. Perfect!
It was a fun and easy knit: a two row pattern that one can memorize in one repeat. The beads are added using the crochet hook method. My only issue is my own. The pattern calls for lace weight knit on a US 8 (5 mm) needle. I was using a slightly heavier yarn, but having used this yarn before I didn’t want it to be too open or stretchy. So I used a size 7 needle. I might have preferred how my cowl looks if I’d gone down another needle size to a US 6. I’ll have to see.
I’m not exactly sure how I’ll wear it, but Lucy was up for some experiments.
ETA: The pattern calls for a skein of Malabrigo Lace yarn, which has 470 yards. You can stop at any point, so if you use a yarn that has less than that — which I did — you can stop when your yarn is running low. I stopped after 49 of the 52 called for pattern repeats because I was low on yarn (although I could have done at least one more repeat) and because I just wanted to stop. I could tell my cowl was already wide enough.
Just Lover-ly!!
Comment by Rebecca — January 12, 2012 @ 2:05 pm
That didn’t just meet the requirements, it exceeded them. Terrific!
Comment by stashdragon — January 12, 2012 @ 2:13 pm
I L-O-V-E it! Must search stash!!
Comment by lv2knit — January 12, 2012 @ 2:22 pm
This is really lovely! I don’t find Viola Fancy Sock on Yarndex, can you tell me the yardage? I have some Studio June yarn that would look wonderful as this cowl but I only have 435 yards of it… Thanks!
Comment by Phebe — January 12, 2012 @ 2:55 pm
It sure is elegant.
Comment by Gale — January 12, 2012 @ 3:34 pm
So pretty!
Comment by Ruth — January 12, 2012 @ 4:56 pm
So pretty! Beads really add the crowning touch!!
Comment by Kathy W. — January 12, 2012 @ 5:33 pm
I love this! Must make – probably for lovely daughter-in-law. You have exquisite taste…
Comment by Emm — January 12, 2012 @ 6:54 pm
Wow – very elegant!
Comment by Cheryl S. — January 12, 2012 @ 8:06 pm
Eeeeee! I have Malabrigo! And it’s waiting for a pattern…must find beads…
Comment by Lisle — January 12, 2012 @ 11:35 pm
That’s just a stunner. I am so glad you found it and had all the right things on hand. Thanks for sharing with us.
Comment by Kathy — January 13, 2012 @ 1:46 am
So pretty — love it worn the second way as it really shows off the beads!
Comment by Wool free and Lovin' knit — January 13, 2012 @ 9:18 am
Love it doubled!
Comment by chloe — January 13, 2012 @ 10:29 pm
Absolutely stunning. Love to Crochet, made some nice ones with a cotton thread. Great for springtime. Your work is beautiful.
Comment by Love To Crochet — January 15, 2012 @ 12:17 am
Beautiful, just beautiful, as usual!!!
Comment by Dolores — January 15, 2012 @ 4:33 pm
Thank you so much for posting about this – I have almost completed mine (on repeat 49!) that I started almost immediately after I read about yours, with yarn and beads from my stash no less! Ultra Alpaca Fine in a blue/teal color with multi-colored-silver-lined beads. Will add it to my Ravelry page soon! Thanks again, I enjoy your knit blog!
Comment by Julie — January 22, 2012 @ 10:08 am