Younger Son's fiance asked for a cowl. Not just any cowl, but the Big Herringbone Cowl from the Purl Soho website. (That link worked when I needed the pattern a few weeks ago but doesn't seem to work today. Maybe it will be working by the time this post goes up.)
The image at right is from the Purl Soho site; you will also find it on Ravelry. What is difficult to get from the photo is how soft and thick and squishy and cuddly the cowl is.
The yarn is Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes in ecru. The name says worsted but I would consider it more of an aran weight. The fiber is 50/50 merino/alpaca and is like buttah through my hands.
Above is the cowl the first day I worked on it. Below is the cowl a few weeks ago. The project is about half done but currently on hiatus while I work on something else. After all, she won't be needing it for... a while.
The stitch pattern is interesting. It makes a herringbone pattern on the right side and a sort of ribbing on the other. Either side could be the right side. It is kind of a tricky stitch, though; when (not if) I make a mistake, I have no idea how to fix it other than rip back. Which I have had to do a couple times.
And although the yarn is called worsted and I think it is aran, the pattern calls for -- wait for it --
a size 17 needle!
Such huge needles are not my favorite but the resulting fabric is lovely. This is a fun project.
The link appears to be working. At least I got to the Purl Bee. Love the look of that cowl. I may have to give it a try since my wrists are acting up and big needle projects are what I can do without pain. We'll see.
Thanks for the idea.
Posted by: Melissa | 30 May 2012 at 08:53 AM
It looks great!
Posted by: Lisa | 30 May 2012 at 08:56 AM
I have long had my eyes on that cowl! So gorgeous!
Posted by: Kym | 30 May 2012 at 02:38 PM
Yummy!
Posted by: soxanne | 30 May 2012 at 05:22 PM
Interesting! How much curl is there in the pattern? It looks like the edge is flipping a little. Does the cowl as a whole curl, or is it just the edge? Just curious as to whether this would be a good stitch pattern for a scarf or not.
It looks so warm and squooshy!
Posted by: Erika | 30 May 2012 at 07:46 PM
That really is a nice looking pattern. Hmm...should probably go check that link now. Summer vacation is coming and all...
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | 31 May 2012 at 03:50 AM
I love that stitch pattern, but when you goof? I can only rip back as well. Not that I ever have to do that....
Posted by: Mary Lou | 31 May 2012 at 06:49 AM
Clearly, that fiancee has good taste in EVERYTHING.
Posted by: Jocelyn | 31 May 2012 at 10:41 AM
I think knitting with needles of that size these days would break my wrists!
Posted by: Chris | 01 June 2012 at 07:15 PM
It must be like knitting with telephone poles...
Great pattern, though. It's amazing what a simple little 2-row pattern can do!
Posted by: gayle | 02 June 2012 at 06:19 AM
Ouuuu - I have looked at that pattern. It looks lovely and squishy and fun. (And what is that stitch?? Must try it out ...) /sigh But I've no one to make it for. (Not my thing.)
Posted by: bullwinkle | 19 June 2012 at 04:09 AM