I know I've written before about almost not being able to use certain yarns because of the stoopid names they've been given. 'Princess' feels like it's targeted at a demographic that I want to do everything in my power to disassociate from. 'Angel Kiss' makes me throw up in my mouth a little. 'Eco-Wool' seems to play on our ever increasing green guilt and somehow smells a little fishy. And well 'Classy' basically makes me want to poke my eyes out with the nearest knitting needle. Luckily such superficial considerations didn't prevent me from using some Dream in Color (also deeply dorky but I'll let it slide) from the stash for a quick birthday present for my gorgeous pal Meredith.
My pattern of choice in this instance is LB's Grassy. I had made one last year in a rush and somehow short changed myself from really enjoying the pattern. I think I was in such a rush that I might have even bound off early--wtf? Anyway--this week I was in the right frame of mind to enjoy it, and did so immensely. If you are on the hunt for a fast cowl, Larissa Brown is your new BFF.
The Specs
Pattern: Grassy by Larissa Brown
Yarn: DIC Classy in 'Lagoon', about a third of a skein. This yarn is so much more appealing knit up than it is on the skein.
Needles: Size 7
Mods: I went up a needle size to make sure it wasn't too tight. I also made sure to steam block it as Larissa suggested to make the lace really stand out. My approach to steam blocking involves boiling some water in a pan and holding the cowl over it. Although I would sell an organ for a Rowenta, this far less sexy routine does do the trick.
Tomorrow begins the week long expanse of time known as spring break. You know you are getting old when these words connote not drinking with your shirt off in Daytona but rather staying home and knitting. My projects? Finishing Ishbel, casting on the Libby sweater for Peeper-Lou and finishing the Modern Quilt Wrap, a project that consists entirely of mitred squares in Silky Wool. Way more exciting than jello shots and Coppertone capers, right?
27 comments:
I really like that! I'd buy it right now but for some reason my computer won't load my ravelry page or my blog page correctly although everyone else's blog is coming up fine. What's up with that I wonder? Anyhoo, thanks for sharing, I will definitely get that one.
Such a gorgeous color of that cowl! Just pops off the screen, and off the skin tone!
i too can not take some of the yarn names!!!
meredith is one lucky gal.....happy birthday to her!
and i think i'll make some jello tomorrow. maybe you can make a trip in and we can do some shots. spring break at knit one!
Nice cowl! Love that green.
I am with you on spring break - two more midterms to give tomorrow and then it's all about me and the knitting, woo hoo. And a ginormous bottle of cabernet :)
PS My word verification word is Parie. And you teach French. he.
Heh, I didn't realize I felt the same way about the yarn names-- Princess! Classy! yick.
Fabulous cowl, great choice of yarn for it.
Gorgeous color. Adding another cowl to list...
You crack me up. Really, what is with some of these names?! That though is a beauty. Lovely gift!
I agree that perhaps a better name could be had for the DIC, but you have to admit it is a nice yarn, right? I have about half a skein leftover from my Feb. Lady Sweater, so maybe a cowl of my own is in store. Yours turned out beautifully!
Beautiful cowl. Eco wool does smell like fish. I thought it was all my imagination. Weird.
Oh, LOVE that cowl. Now I'm torn. I'm partway through my Darkside Cowl in the Artyarns Supermerino you sent me. But I've wanted to make the Grassy cowl for so long, and now I'm wondering if I should've been using the Supermerino for that! Oh, so many delicious patterns. Yours looks simply fabulous.
Can't wait to see your progress on your Ishbel. Because of you I have: a) spent an inordinate amount of time figuring out what color Ishbel I might want to make for a charity auction; b) bought the Whimsical Knits collection (thought the entire collection would be released on March 1 but I haven't received it yet, have you?); and c) ordered a skein of HazelKnits sock yarn to knit it in, just narrowly managing to avoid copying you entirely - I almost got Euphorbia but finally went with Beach Glass. It should arrive soon!
Beautiful! I have some Malabrigo...
Gorgeous cowl!
I have yet to knit a cowl. Even under the best of circumstance (i.e. the dead of winter), there's not much call for wool around the neck in San Diego. I guess I'll have to go on living vicariously through you.
I'll grant you the name thing, but for some reason, pronounced phonetically, DIC Classy cracks me up every time. I mean, come on, classy dick yarn? So good.
It is a beautiful cowl. I haven't made the cowl plunge either but that one is worth considering. Darkside is also calling to me.
Love it! I have that yarn too... a sweater's worth if you please. You are so prolific, I am always amazed by how much knitting you get done.
Hehe, I have smelled some fishy yarn...
I think you may be the reigning Queen of Cowls, or something like that. Me? Not so much, I haven't really been the queen of knitting anything lately (except baby hats!), but I have become rather obsessed with other things, like, um, burritos from Chipotle... like for supper tonight... just sayin'...
Anyhoo, lucky lucky friend of yours!
happy knitting-
ali
Lovely cowl, and lovely yarn, despite the corny name! :)
I'll have to put this pattern on my "to knit" list soon!
Hurray for spring break! Have a wonderful week. Love the cowl, and I'm with you on the name "Classy." Yuck!
Ooooooh ... I *love* this! The color is spectacular and really shows off the pattern.
I think the only thing worse than yarn color names are lipstick and nail polish names. Who thinks this stuff up???
have to agree with the crappy yarn names and how classy looks so much better knit up then in the skein.
Beautiful cowl! And staying home knitting is way more fun. It doesn't leave one with a hangover and amnesia-like episodes... still I could use a jello shot right now!
I LOVE that pattern! And your version is especially lovely :) Hope your friend loved it!
Have a great spring break too!
knittymuggins
I haven't commented much before, but I follow your blog and girl - you crack me up! Dont you want to move south and hang out with me?
Anyways....I can top your spring break. I am working while paying for my daughter's spring break in Fla. Yeah, being a grown up is great, huh?
I forgot how much I loved this cowl pattern. Your thoughts on color names made me think how much a name can influence me. Ever since I bought my first bottle of nail polish -- name long since forgotten. Can't wait to see your Ishbel. Isn't the pattern great?! Have a fun week off. Don't do too many purls!
you've been turning out some lovely cowls lately! :)
Thanks for the love!
I recently made my FLS in Schaefer Yarns Miss Priss. That is not the colorway, it's the name Of The Yarn.
But you have to hand it to DIC for having a chunky weight called Fatty.
Lb
Lovely cowl! The colour is great too. I know your habbit. I have this with books with a real bad cover. I can't buy them..
I'm curious for the quilt wrap. Enjoy finishing.
*liset
What a beautiful cowl. I *SO* agree with your comments on yarn colors. Your reactions made me laugh.
Arrrgggggh. Stop making me buy LB patterns. Evil!
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