Shelter Infinity Scarf

Pattern:
Shelter Infinity Scarf
Anniken Allis

Yarn:
Vintage
Sour Cherry

This project was a bit of a pain to knit because it was so repetitive. However, I absolutely love wearing it, so it was totally worth it. The yarn is absolutely perfect as well. It is the only acrylic yarn that I like to worth with because it doesn't have the usual plastic-y shine that you usually see with the acrylic yarns. It is also really soft, and perfect for a project like a cowl that you'd want to wear inside because it doesn't feel too warm and stifling, even when it's doubled up. I would for sure use the yarn again for a comfort knit like this.

This one is true to color

After seeing my friend Lauren's cowl, I have been inspired to try to make something similar. Her cowl had a really cute hood on it. She said that it was really convenient and that she really liked having it. I figured that since I had a lot of leftover yarn from this project, I'd make a detachable hood for it. I have drawn up my own hood pattern with two of the cables from this at the edges and a simple braid in between them. I'm not quite sure how it will look when I'm done, or if it will be practical, but I'm giving it a try. It'll be attachable by buttons, so if it doesn't work, I haven't messed up my existing cowl.

Double Cross Cowl Variation

Pattern:

Double Cross Cowl

Patrice Kehoe

Yarn:

Joey's Baby Silk

Off White

I love this pattern. It has the simple look of a checkerboard, but I like the added interest of the crosses. I feel like it gives the pattern something special without being too obvious. The yarn is also wonderful. It's so soft and silky without being scratchy or heavy. It has a wonderful drape. I would use the yarn all the time if it had a better range of colors.

Sweetheart Socks

Pattern:
Sweetheart Socks
Nikol Lohr

Yarn:
Rustic Tweed
Brown

I absolutely can't stand knitting socks. However, my mom loves knitted socks and has been begging me to make her a pair for at least three years now. So for Christmas, I broke down and made her this pair. I loved the heart cable pattern and the fact that I could use a light worsted weight yarn. They knit up pretty quickly, and were not that difficult. I used the heel turn that Wendy used here because on Ravlery, everyone was saying that they didn't like the afterthought heel. If I was going to make this again however, I'd definitely put in ribbing at the ankle instead of just leaving it stockinette. Overall, I think they turned out pretty cute even though they are my first completed pair and my mom said she loves them!

They fit!!!

Hearts!

John's Pretty Hat

Pattern:
John's Pretty Hat
Emilie Stallman

Yarn:
Cascade 220
Shire

For Christmas, I was going to make John the Man Hat because he liked the look of it, but I knew I was going to have to retool it because I didn't like the bulky yarn and wanted to use the beautiful green of this Cascade. I also wanted to change the 1x1 ribbing because I don't like the look or shape of it. After deciding on a 2x2 stockinette/seed repeat, I decided to scrap the Man Hat idea and just start from scratch. I really liked the small cable from the Sweetheart Socks pattern, so I just incorporated it between the ribbing. I really like the look of it, and it fit him on the first try! The gray yarn you see is a safety right before the decreasing in case it didn't fit.

Exeter Hat

Pattern:
Exeter
John

Yarn:
Ultra Alpaca
Stone Washed Mixed

John picked out this pattern as one of his potential Christmas hats. I thought the decreasing at the top was a nice detail to break up the plainness of the ribbing. I made it out of the Ultra Alpaca so that it would be extra warm for his ears in the frigid Lake Michigan winter wind.

Wicker Cowl

Pattern:

Wicker Cowl

Kate Gagnon Osborn

Yarn:

Capretta

Wine

At first, I hated the yarn because it is such a weird gauge. It works up like a dk, but isn't terribly substantial like a dk would be. However, when I tried this pattern, I absolutely loved it and I wear it all the time. It is just such a perfect yarn for a lacy comfy cowl that I would definitely buy the yarn in another color to make this same cowl. It's super warm and wonderful.