A free pattern means that it is that time again, the New York Sheep and Wool Festival (a.k.a Rhinebeck)! Just like most everything else this year, it will be done a bit differently…as in virtually (find out information here).
This means that you do not have to live in or travel to Duchess County New York. You can be anywhere in the world and take classes, visit booths, and get a little hint of the New England turning leaves.
Lisa’s Ladder Cowl
For the last several years I have been teaming up with Lisa Souza Dyeworks and providing a free pattern to accompany her limited addition colorway for the week. This year is no different.
I am really honored to be part of the 2019 Holiday Stashdown. This is the fifth year, that you have weeks worth of pattern to help you work through your stash and get some of your holiday gifts created, and have the opportunity to win prizes.
For my part, I have created a quick cowl, it is worked from the center out with a twist. This makes for only a few rounds, but they are longer than you would expect, since you are almost creating two rounds at once.
Sovereign Cowl
This pattern works up in a medium weight yarn, and in my personal feeling has a bit of a regal feel, maybe it is the picot on the edge, but I know I will be keeping this one myself and wearing it this winter.
Picot: Ch 3, sl
st to the stitch below the ch just created.
Pattern is worked center out, by working on both side of the beginning chain, and add a twist for the mobius.
The Pattern
Ch 103
Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd
ch from hook, sc in each ch across, twist chain, and working in the unused
loops of the beginning chain, sc in the same loops as the first sc of the
round, sc in each unused loop around, join to the first st, turn. -204sc
Rnd 2: Ch 4, [sk
1 st, dc in next st, ch 1] rep around, sl st to join to 3rd ch of
turning ch, turn.
Rnd 3: Sl st to
next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, [sc in next ch-1 sp, 3
dc in next ch-1 sp] rep around, sl st to join to first sc, turn.
Rnd 4: Ch 4, sk 1
dc, sc in next dc, ch 1, [dc in next sc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, ch 1]
rep around, sl st to join, turn.
Rnd 5-7: Rep Rnds
2-4
Rnd 8: Rep Rnd 2
Rnd 9: Sl st to
next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, (2 dc, picot, dc) in next ch-1 sp, [sc in
next ch-1 sp, (2 dc, picot, dc) in next ch-1 sp] rep around, sl st to join to
first sc, fasten off. Weave in ends, block.
I have been hooked on playing with Bruges Lace as of late,
and wanted to share this skill.
Spiral Bruges Cowl
Bruges Lace is a crochet technique that essentially has you
crocheting a ribbon, a narrow strip, and attaching it to itself to create a
simple lace that looks much more involved. The patterns often have a high row
count, but that is because the rows are only a few stitches each, in some cases
only 5 stitches.
A “ribbon”
As you can see in this photo the “ribbon” is only a few
stitches, and then there is a long turning chain. This long chain is used as a
joining point when working the “ribbon” back on itself. This approach lends
itself to any design that you can draw in a continuous line.
When you have a “turn” in your line you need to work longer
and join multiple long loops together to form a “bend” in the ribbon.
Joining sides of “ribbons”
I encourage you to give it a try, and to get you started I
have a free cowl pattern.
Spiral Bruges Cowl
Work a ribbon, and then join on one side to spiral around and create this fast and eye catching cowl. The ends of the ribbon are highlighted with simple shells to finish this highlight.
Finished Size
31″ circumference, 12″ Tall (79 cm circumference, 9 cm tall)
Gauge
5 sts (the width of ribbon, not counting ch-5 loop)= 1 1/2″ (4cm), 6 rows =4″ (10cm)
I find that there are times when designs just fly off my hook, while the other times I cannot even bring myself to pick up that hook. Fortunately I have been living in the world of the former and not the latter as of late. As a result I have a new free pattern available for you!
Stacked Ladders Cowl grew out of my playing with a skein of Anzula Croquet yarn. The yarn is light weight and a 50/50 blend of Superwash Merino and Tussah Silk. It honestly is a luxurious yarn to work with, it is so soft and even what I would call billowy or lofty, while still being quite structurally strong.
This Cowl takes only 1 skein, and is a quick project, so it is perfect to check out a “new to you” yarn while creating a gift for yourself or someone special.
It is a light, airy design that is a great transition piece for fall or spring. If you are not a cowl fan, it is simple enough to just work it as a scarf.
This design is worked up with a large hook, but if you do not have anything quite this large, use the largest hook you feel comfortable with, you will be happy with the results.
As winter is gripping part of North America and the arctic chill is setting in Manos del Uruguay released my latest pattern, which is perfect to keep warm! Shurs is a cowl that is just the right size, long enough to be wrapped twice for extra warmth and coverage, yet still short enough that wearing it unwrapped has a perfect amount of drape for a classic look.
It is worked in what I refer to as a “cross-hatch” pattern. So, cross-hatch is actually an artist term the is comprised of short strokes made usually by pencil or charcoal that then has short strokes crossing in the opposite direction to create the shading and depth of the drawing. Almost like little “x”s that create an image.
I have worked this cowl similarly, with each row crossing the opposite direction of the last. It allows for an interesting visual effect, as you can catch glimpses of the stitches behind each other, but it also adds in a nice amount of stretch.
In addition to the “crossed” appearance, the stitches begin to stack up and give a very diagonal look, without having any increasing or decreasing stitches being worked. Instead this is a simple 2 row repeat, so it is a design that you can work rather quickly and easily, even for a crocheter that may not be completely confident in their work.
It is worked in Manos del Uruguay Clara, a yarn that is 100% superwash merino (meaning that it is a wool that is treated so that it does not felt, or shrink, but has all the great properties of wool like warmth and durability). It is a hand dyed sport weight yarn, that has a nice amount of spring to it while still having a nice stable yarn.
So, consider a quick project to keep warm this cold season, Shurs I feel is a good choice for this project.
