Tuesday, August 26, 2014

September's Cowl


On our recent trip to Victoria I decided to take a knitting project. I didn't anticipate long periods of time to knit unless we got stuck in a ferry line up. Fortunately we didn't, but it is nice to pack along a small project to have to knit. I have been looking at September Circle, a cowl/infinity scarf, for awhile. I was attracted to it as it was very pretty and it used a  long self striping fingering/sock yarn to great effect.



I love these types of yarns. Using a fairly simple lace pattern, the pattern produces these long bands of colour that look like you were actually changing yarns of different colours as you knit. You get a lot of bang for your buck with these ones! For this project I used Crazy Zauberball in the sock weight.


I love the scalloped edge ! There are so many different types of long striping sock yarns available you could use this pattern over and over again. The pattern is not a complicated one. I goofed up a few times as I didn't take any stitch markers with me but after a few misalignments of the wave pattern I could see when I was off a stitch. There are a few nice rest rounds of knit and purl too. It was knit on a 4.5 mm needle so it produced a nice lacy airy cowl.


This colourway is not one I would typically choose but with a bright blue jean jacket it works! It can easily be doubled up to make a thicker cowl around your neck. This is a good pattern and I think you could have a lot of fun with it.I think it would also look really nice in a tonal or semi solid or solid yarn.



There is more mailbox fun happening in my neighbourhood! A few weeks ago, my buddy and neighbour Shannon and I went out for coffee. We spend a lot of time talking about our future knitting projects, gardening ideas and lots of other stuff we know we will never have time to do. We have a great time! Right of the blue Shannon announces she wants to paint her mailbox...today. So off to the hardware store we went. A few hours later armed with a can of fire engine red spray paint Shannon sprayed her old mailbox. There was no time to take a before picture as she is a woman of action. A few days later, Shannon drilled some holes, put in the new knobs and presto chango a snazzy new mailbox was up and ready to go! I love it! We are trying to convince some of our other neighbours to let us redo their mailboxes. We are still waiting for takers!



Now the days and nights are getting a bit cooler, the flowers are getting their second wind . My zinnias are growing like gangbusters.






Yippee!! My back ordered yarn finally completed its trek from Japan.

Happy making friends

Keep smiling!

Chris


24 comments:

  1. I'd love a mailbox upcycle!!!!

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    1. Hey Tara, it is so easy, get a can of spray paint and pshhhht pssssst you are done. I bet you would go for lime green!

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  2. Your cowl is lovely, I really like the colours! The mailbox looks great too, I love the knobs, great for hanging seasonal decorations from!! xx

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    1. Thanks Amy, it is interesting how my choice of colours changes with the seasons. I have some spring colours I want to knit but that window has closed, its fall for me now! Shannon did a super job on her mailbox, it looks great on the front of her house.

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  3. First of all Chrissie, I love the colours in the cowl for a fall day, especially that bit of orange next to the blue. As for the mailbox, if I had one like that, I'd be painting it and adding a couple of knobs; I remember how beautifully your own turned out.(Mine is the old milk cupboard built in the side of the house.) Finally, the garden looks incredible. I can see I need zinnias in mine!

    -Karen

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    1. Thanks Karen, I love zinnias , there are so vibrant and pretty and make great cut flowers. Mine often take awhile to get started but August and September seem to be their time. If you find an old mailbox you could decorate it and put it in your beautiful garden to store your tools!! I am looking forward to wearing my new cowl, I love autumn. Have a good weekend

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  4. I so agree with you on your yarn in your piece! It is light and the waves it creates are stunning! The colors are stunning as well!! And your garden is GORGEOUS!!! Oh I would have a seat right there friend! And Love that your friend has caught the inspiration from you to do up her mailbox!!! How awesome is that!!!! Color all around in your world and it is beautiful!!! Happy day to you! Nicole xoxo

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    1. Hey Nicole, you could use a long striping yarn to crochet scarves for your beans, it would be super pretty! I do like colour there is no doubt about that. It is so much fun . Love the zinnias this year, they survived our absence for a couple of weeks which I had my doubts about! Shannon sure did a great painting job!

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  5. The cowl is very pretty! I like your mailbox redo idea. I hope some of your neighbours take you up on your kind offer!

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    1. Thank you Kristie! I am always eyeing mailboxes now and thinking hmm what colour would I paint that if I could. Good I keep my thoughts to myself ! I really the Crazy Zauberball wool i have knit socks with it to. They are pretty snappy! Hope you have some cooler days this week.

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  6. I love the colors of this cowl. It looks so soft and cozy, too. I need to try to make a lightweight shawl for traveling. I should learn to knit and crochet better first though! heehee! Enjoy your evening my friend! Hugs!

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    1. Thank you Diane. i had no clue how that yarn and those colours were going to look, it was a pleasant surprise! Maybe this winter you can make a nice wrap for yourself. I find I layer a lot now. Love your pictures of NC!

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  7. I've just added the cowl pattern to my already ridiculously long Ravelry queue ... yours looks so pretty I couldn't resist the thought of knitting one sometime :)

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    1. Oh that Ravelry, and that Pinterest...how did we ever survive without them?I have often faved or pinned the same projects a few times, there are too many choices!!! I think that pattern would look great in neutrals too. We all need an extra set of arms or two to get everything done!

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  8. How do you wash all the stuff you make? That cowl is super fab. Love that mailbox and your colorful garden. :o)

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  9. I hand wash most of my knit stuff. I use either Soak or Eucalan . Products designed for knitting and delicate things.i mostly knit with natural fibres and they are fussy little pots! Socks all go in the washer on a knit cycle and hang to dry. Shannon is pretty happy with her mailbox, she did a great job!! Sept is sure a great month here all the gardens are perking up a bit!

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  10. I love the colors in your cowl and the lacy edge. I knit but, just barely. One of these days I must take a class. I have my own mailbox project. I am using mine in the backyard to hold doggy mess pick-up bags. I figure it will keep them dry and handy for emergencies. Your zinnias are just gorgeous by the way.

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    1. There are always so many things to do and new skills to learn. My brain does get overloaded sometimes but it is sure fun! I think I need to grow more zinnias next year, I just love the colours. Thank you for dropping in and thank you for your kind comments!

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  11. Hi Chris, I was just catching up on your blog. Your cowl is beautiful! The colors in it are perfect for fall. Wow, I'm very impressed with your work. I hope you have a great week. :)

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    1. Hey Jennifer, thank you very much! I am getting in a fall mode now but I am sure going to miss wearing shorts, shirts and sandals, it's so easy! I sure envy you your ristras , they are so cool! Enjoy your week too! Chris

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  12. Hi! Thanks for stopping by to comment on my blog, it's nice to meet you!

    I absolutely LOVE that cowl - between the colors and the scalloped edges, it's both colorful and elegant. And I really enjoy the other photos of the mailbox and the cheerful flowers. :-)

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  13. Thank you Bridget and it is nice to meet you too!
    Thanks for your kind comments. It is a pretty colourful post, but that's summer!
    I hope you are continuing to feel better and keep up your lovely knitting!! Chris

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  14. Oh the cowl is lovely. What a perfect combo of yarn/pattern. :) I also loved seeing you pretty flowers, too. I think flowers are like yarn...they just make the day so much better. :) Wishing you a most lovely day.

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  15. You got that right! Nothing nicer in a day than pretty yarn and pretty flowers, makes us all feel happy! I am thinking I might knit this pattern in a totally different yarn now...hmmmm...always so many projects to ponder. Thank you dropping by and a lovely day to you as well!

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