Introducing a new pattern! This neck warmer is knit in a luscious merino/camel blend. It’s both light weight and warm.

Cowl n.
definition from Merriam-Webster

1a. A hood or long hooded cloak especially of a monk
1b. A drapped neckline on a woman’s garment
2a. A chimney covering designed to improve the draft
2b. The top portion of the front part of an automobile body forward of the two front doors to which are attached the
windshield and instrument board

For some reason, I’m not exactly sure why, I have a cowl aversion. Not an aversion to garments like this one, but rather a dislike of calling these garments cowls. Therefore, this is a pattern for a neck warmer and Not A Cowl.

A special shout out to my awesome tech editor Sairy!

Not A Cowl

Not A Cowl

Not A Cowl Available on Ravelry (no account needed)! Ravelry Detail Page Purchase the pattern for $4USD

What an incredibly busy month October has been. I have 3 or so blog posts to write, so here is the first:

Two of my patterns are being published in the Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2010!

Wintersweet Scarf

Wintersweet Scarf (c) Interweave Knits

This scarf was fun to make for two reasons.

First, the yarn was nothing short of delicious! The yarn used is Lana Gatto Camel Hair (distributed by Plymouth Yarn Co.) and it is buttery soft and light and just plain luscious!

Secondly, the construction of this piece is unique. I have a thing against pointy hoods. I don’t know why, I just don’t like that point in the back. My goal for this hood was to make it non-pointy. I started in the front and using increases/decreases and short rows, created the hood in one piece (no seaming) from the top down.

The scarf is also fun. It starts on one end, splits when it meets the hood, and rejoins on the other side. The split takes half the scarf along the back of the neck and the other half up around the face.

The colorwork is simple but keeps the knitting interesting. You have to knit back in purls, but the short chart makes it easy; no catching floats or anything fancy required.

Gerda’s Scarf

Gerda's Scarf (c) Interweave Knits

Gerda’s Scarf has a little story, but since the magazine is not actually available yet, I’m not sure I can tell it. I’m hopeful they kept the story since they kept my name.

The yarn used here is The Alpaca Yarn Company’s Paca de Seda – another awesome yarn. This scarf features double knitting which is a technique that I have fallen in love with.

Double knitting creates a double thick and reversible fabric by working both sides at the same time. The fun thing about it is that on each side the colors are reversed.

For those interested, I have started teaching double knitting classes at Flying Fibers and soon at The Mannings.

Both scarves were incredibly awesome to make – mostly because of the awesome yarns I got to use, but also because of the excitement to be part of an Interweave publication. Everyone I have worked with at IK has been incredibly friendly and helpful. I love working with them and hope to work with them again in the future!