Done and Done!

I finished my cowl with some modifications.  It's about 12" wide (I believe the original was narrower) and because I knitted it with larger needles (size 13), it has more of a drapey feel.

I'd definitely use this pattern again, but with smaller needles and I'd probably make it narrower.  On the plus side, it's super soft and keeps me warm (though I feel a bit like Queen Elizabeth I with it around my neck.) 

On the Cowl Train

I'm going through an incredibly creative and productive period right now. I've been digging out old supplies and tools (tambour hook, anyone?) and reacquainting myself with all my craftiness.  I now have a very long to-do list of projects. Most of them are pretty involved so to keep myself motivated, I occasionally do a quick project like, say, for instance this cowl:

It's from Margaux's blog.

I instantly fell in love, but the only problem was I had no suitable yarn. But then I saw it: the sweater I started knitting a million years ago. I recently pulled it from the bottom of my closet (where I also found an amazing stash of gloves and buttons, some of which I'll probably sell on Etsy). But I digress. I knew I'd never wear that sweater (it was a stockinette stitch, oversized, crew neck design - so not me) so I decided to frog it for the yarn. I was afraid the yarn wouldn't be usable until I found this little gem. As instructed, I tied the ripply yarn into hanks, swished it around in fabric softener (that's all I had in the house) and hung it up to dry. It worked like a charm.

Now my former sweater looks like this:

The yarn, Brown Sheep Lamb's pride, has an beautiful lustre. My scarf is about 8 inches wide now, but I'm going to knit another four inches to be sure it will look like a proper cowl when I'm wearing it.

Oh, and remember the beret I was knitting?  Here's the finished product: