Yep. Over 17000 projects in Ravelry. The free Honey Cowl pattern is what one could call “popular.” This cowl was designed to accentuate the beauty of the Madelinetosh colors, and it does not disappoint!
My Honey Cowl is knit with Tosh DK, color Spectrum (132 gms, 297 yards, cast on 200 sts). I received this yarn from a good friend (Mary) who had it left over from a project. I was so obnoxious about my lust for this yarn, that she felt compelled to hand it over!
I thought about a number of projects that would work but landed on Honey because it showcases all the color variation in the yarn:
Look at those colors!! Though an easy pattern, it took me forever — it was very b o r i n g! Mine ended up being about 6.5 x 39 inches. It is very pretty and will go with several things. Yay! Thanks, Mary!! 🙂
On another note, I would like to share this cautionary tale. Another knitting peep finished up a beautiful bandana-type shawlette. Knit it, blocked it, was ready to wear it to work to add a little pop of color to jeans and a shirt. Unfortunately she had used the MAGIC KNOT (video link) to join two ends of yarn. It came undone.
I have seen this happen to several knitters on Ravelry and would warn others not to rely on this joining technique in knitting. It is meant to work when the finished product is held taut, but knitting is not taut! In its natural state, the yarn is relaxed. And often a bit slippery. The very short ends can work themselves apart. If I use this method (which is rare), I also leave the ends and work them into the knitting.
Luckily I was able to perform a minor surgical procedure on K’s lovely shawl!!
You can see my surgery from the wrong side because of the ends, but hopefully no one can spot it from the right side.
Other than the above I am in a bit of the fall doldrums. I am working on my sweater coat, which is very slow. Today I will be volunteering at Fall Fiber Festival at my old high school! It is very strange to go there…bad memories. Must forget.
F O R G E T F O R G E T F O R G E T F O R G E T F O R G E T F O R G E T
Your Honey Cowl is gorgeous – especially in that colorway. I admire your persistence with that pattern, though. I got about 3 inches into mine before the boredom got to me & I had to rip it out. I ended up making the Aphelion Cowl, instead.
Comment by Samina — November 8, 2014 @ 12:12 pm
Thanks for the warning about the magic knot. I’ve wondered about it thinking I might try it sometime when I can’t spit splice. Guess not, unless I also leave ends as you said. Your cowl is lovely & you’re right in that it’s a boring knit. Still, it’s nice to wear.
Comment by Rose — November 8, 2014 @ 12:58 pm
Mine was very boring, too! However, this color – Spectrum, really tempts me to knit another one. Swish – that fleeting thought is gone now. 😉
Comment by Rebecca — November 8, 2014 @ 2:28 pm
Looks great! Funnily, I knit the same pattern in the same yarn! I love how the pattern would hit on one of the many pops of color in the yarn. Love it. http://ravel.me/xantha/hc
Comment by jess — November 8, 2014 @ 2:43 pm
Nice honey cowl, and I’m glad you didn’t perish from boredom!
Look forward to a report on the fiber day. I thought about going, but opted to stay home and knit.
Comment by Susan — November 8, 2014 @ 4:18 pm
I have also had problems with this knot technique of joining yarns. It came endorsed by someone I respect, but for me it was not a good fit with the loosely fashioned cowl I was making.
Have decided to take a ‘once burned….always cautious’ tack with it.
Comment by skeindalous — November 8, 2014 @ 4:23 pm
I knit the Honey Cowl in Spectrum as well and like it. Question – did you block yours? And with all due respect to the magic knot, if you’ve sewn or knit even a little you would know that no knot, double or otherwise, would work without the anchoring action of yarn ends.
Comment by suzanstew — November 8, 2014 @ 11:11 pm
My former son in law once asked me if I could do something about a sweater his grandmother had knit for him. She was the absolute queen of knots (she was 86), and the yarns was one that had some rayon or bamboo, or other slippery yarn in it. Most of the knots… and there were probably 40 or so in total….had come untied, and the sweater was filled with holes. He was expected to wear it the next time he saw her. (This was not the reason the marriage ended, BTW) It took me a long time to close them up, and I actually had to bind up some of them with sewing thread, or sew the tiny little tails to another strand. If I have to knot, I still leave tails to weave in, but for something two sided, I’ve become a fan of the Russian join; takes more time, but in the end, it looks better.
Comment by Ellen — November 9, 2014 @ 6:32 pm
Honey cowls are soothing knitting, but not interesting knitting, mostly — still, the result is lovely. As for your high school comment – my sister & I happened to visit the city where we attended college, and walked on campus this morning. We both have quite a few happy memories, but admitted that the memories evoked most strongly from the experience of the PLACE were the memories of more difficult feelings & times. Hope the fiber festival created a few new happy ones for you!
Comment by Pam — November 9, 2014 @ 11:01 pm
This is a great pattern for knitting purely for relaxation; not to challenge or stress the brain. Nevertheless, it looks fantastic in almost any yarn (even acrylic; yes, I have gone there) and is well suited for knitters at all levels, which is why it’s so popular. It’s fabulous in your beautiful Mad Tosh.
Comment by PurrlGurrl — November 10, 2014 @ 1:48 am
Honey is so wearable, so the boring slog is forgivable. On the Magic Knot, not a huge fan here, but I took a Craftsy color course from Laura Bryant and she swears by it, but her method includes an essential element: Fray Check. She asserts the knot is secure (but we have so much evidence to the contrary), but she always adds that little touch of Fray Check.
I still join and darn. Your repair job is gorgeous.
Comment by Southernpurl — November 10, 2014 @ 9:16 am
Gee, I love this knot and am using it practically all the time. Yikes, I thought it was secure. I only use it with wool though. Hmm…. will rethink. Thank you for pointing this out.
Comment by Louise T — November 10, 2014 @ 1:23 pm
Make new momories. Its the best way to fight the bad ones.
Comment by Needles — November 10, 2014 @ 9:37 pm
Quick question – – is the Honey Cowl knit in “bee stitch”? It really looks like it. . .
Comment by Metta T — November 11, 2014 @ 1:25 pm
I passed on my 50th High School Reunion. When I look back, I don`t like the person I was then. So, why go back to see people who remember you as that person. A 2 day reunion isn`t long enough for them to appreciate the (I hope) better, less self absorbed, no longer boy crazy, person I am now. So, I understand about the memories enshrined in a place.
Comment by Daphne — November 11, 2014 @ 2:03 pm
Magic Knot – used this knot with leather cord back in the day when making hippie necklaces. It does come undone on cord, but that was okay because the wearer could always retie it or do a different knot. The virtue of the knot for necklaces is that the length of the cord can be adjusted by the wearer.
I was pretty surprised when I saw it was being used to join yarn because I’ve never believed it’s a permanent join. I’ll just stick with Russian join. I’ve never yet had one of these fail, even using it with cheap acrylic yarn.
Comment by PurrlGurrl — November 11, 2014 @ 5:49 pm
I will never use this knot again! Susan’s explanation for why it fails makes so much sense! What a beautiful repair! I will use Russian join most of the time from now on. It does take a little more time but certainly worth the effort! Thanks for sharing your opinion based on extensive knowledge!
Comment by Kathy W. — November 11, 2014 @ 9:10 pm
Yay! Finally, someone with the courage to point out why this knot is not practical to use in knitting. I’ve always been suspicious of it, but I have used it – once – in the border of a shawl. So far, it has held, but I think other joins are far safer, even if it means a bit more work weaving in the ends. Thank you! And your Honey Cowl came out beautiful.
Comment by Linda L. — November 11, 2014 @ 11:09 pm