2.15.2009

Pattern: Tapestry Cowl
For: me
Yarn: 147 yds Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Blue Green, 155 yds Spindle Cat Studio Handpainted Merino Wool Yarn in Olde Gold
Needles: Knit Picks Options and fixed circs in US 4/3.5 mm, US 3/3.25 mm, and US 1 1/2/2.5 mm
Timeline: started 12.29.2008; finished 02.14.2009

When I first saw this pattern, I knew I wanted to make this for myself. I also had a couple skeins of sock yarn that I thought would look good together. Normally, I wouldn't want to pay $5 for a cowl pattern, but I thought this pattern was pretty extraordinary. However, after purchasing the pattern I was blown away. The pattern is so well-written and has tons of useful information for double-knitting, including video tutorials. If anyone is thinking of buying this pattern, don't hesitate. It's fabulous. I would knit one of Pepperknit's patterns again in a heartbeat.

Before starting this cowl, I thought this might be the sort of project that takes months and months to complete. Seeing the pattern emerge helped this move along a lot more quickly. I've only double-knit one thing before and I didn't really know what I was doing. I decided to knit this continental and the suggestion in the pattern for continental knitters was awesome.

I knit the pattern as written aside from needle size choice. I had read that a lot of people had issues getting gauge, so I started out on US 4s instead of US 5s. I ended up going down another size to US 3s and finally down to US 1 1/2s. I didn't rip anything out, though. I just moved down in needle size as I went, which resulted in the bottom of the cowl being wider than the top, which I like. It seems to stay up on my face pretty well and I can't wait to try it out in the cold.