Saturday, February 11, 2012

My Little Chickadee Cowl

I really love the big cozy oversized cowls so popular this winter. And I was all set to make myself one....until this winter turned into the "winter that wasn't." A big nonevent. No rain, no damp cold, no clouds and nothing drizzly or gloomy on the horizon. How disappointing.


It's one of those warm winters that Southern California is well known for.  Since I couldn't see myself wearing a big bulky cowl anytime soon I chose to knit a soft drapy cowl instead.  But then I'm not a "process" knitter so it's all about the bottom line for me - will I wear it?
 

And this is a cowl that I'll wear.  It's simple but has flash and for indoor events is a great alternative to a scarf or cardigan.    Not that I'm going much of anywhere these days as work is very busy.  But, it's nice to know I'll have something to wear if I need something!  And besides it looks nice just hanging about the house.


Particulars: Chickadee Cowl (free pattern) by Kirsten Kapur (Through the Loops); 1 skein Lornas Laces Pearl (51% silk / 49% bamboo); US 10 circular needles.  This is a simple design using the linen stitch and I think it is most effective using hand painted and/or handspun yarns.  My only modification was to to CO 149 stitches and use a larger needle size.  I used almost the whole skein before I decided it was wide enough which is purely a personal choice.  For a traditional scarf using the linen stitch I love the Cerus Scarf (free pattern) by The Yarniad or her newest free pattern, the Peppermint Candy Cowl. Another example of a scarf using the linen stitch is my Heavenly Handspun Scarf.   And for those interested in knitting one of the big fabulous cowls then you should check out the very popular Honey Cowl (free pattern by Madelinetosh).



Sunsets and Shameless Self Promotion


The above picture is of the sunset along the coastline of San Clemente, California and I was going to write something deep and profound about how I felt as I stood barefoot at the water's edge watching the sun set with the tide pulling at me as the last of the sun's warm glow faded from me.  But then something more important came up.  I have been interviewed.  In my capacity as a knitting blogger.  Never mind that it's on a website you have never heard of.  That's a minor point, and such a buzz kill.  Besides, they may be famous someday!!!  The interview is entitled Caught Between the Warp and the Woof - an Interview with Knitting Blogger Claudia Bugh.    Kidding aside, this website has great articles, interesting interviews, fun KALs, and is a wonderful addition to the online knitting community and a resource you should know about.  So go send KnittingYarn some internet love KK.

Until next time, be well and love well and pay attention to both the sun rises and sun sets and appreciate the gift that they are.

21 comments:

Renee said...

gorgeous cowl - again you created the perfect match of stitch pattern and yarn!
Oh - can't wait to visit your interview!! Huge congratulations!!!

lo de lille said...

How infortunate you are having no winter in California and I can share your disapointment. Come over here (in France) we're having the coldest winter for ages, and hopfully we can wear all our wooly knitting with a real pleasure. Your cowl is beautiful and I enjoy strolling along your nice blog !!
Lo de Lille

Monika said...

I love what you did with the Chickadee cowl. I too like loopy cowls, and you are not the only one with a non existing winter. I say that, even though we've got some snow last night, but it's never been such a warm winter since I've been in Canada.

Now I'm off to check out your interview! :o)

subliminalrabbit said...

love the cowl and how fun re: the interview! headed there now to take a look!

SissySees said...

You always have the most beautiful photos. Love that cowl, sunset and look forward to enjoying that interview!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cowl, Claudia! And it suits your style perfectly....

Congrats on being famous!! Your blog is something I love reading and I'm glad to see you get recognition for it.... and to see another photo of Mr. Puffy modeling.

raining sheep said...

Yeah! Congratulations! You are now officially a star. Everyone deserves their 15 minutes I believe. Love the cowl, you certainly could get away with it here. We have had a warm winter (for Calgary) as well. Very few -20 to -30 days. Relative to California, it is chilly here, but my goodness not like normal.

Allie said...

That cowl has such an elegant look, Claudia, it looks wonderful on you! I know all about the Winter That Wasn't...although it finally found us here in Michigan. I wish I was at that beach right now.
Congrats on your interview, I'm popping over to read it!

Bridget said...

The cowl is beautiful, I love it!

Our winter has been completely non-existent, and after the horrific summer we had, it's just not fair ...

Now I must go check out you becoming famous - congrats!

Willow said...

Beautiful cowl. The yarn looks metallic. I've hardly worn my cowls this winter-too warm here as you said.

Looking forward reading your interview! Exciting!

Kate (KnitsInClass) said...

Love your cowl! We have a non-winter, here, too, but that mostly means no snow. I'm in the process of crocheting a big chunky cowl to keep me cozy.

Heading over to check out your interview now...

Tracy said...

The cowl is so lovely, Claudia! And a nice alternative fashion accessory that's compatible with the non-winter there at the moment. Plenty of winter here, want to come over?! ;o) I've just cast on for a shawl with a pretty drop stitch lacey look pattern. Warming, but can extend to other season here, I hope anyway. Hooray for your interview... I'm off to go see! DAZZLING sunset...*swoon*... Happy Valentine week, my friend ((HUGS))

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments ~ I am so lucky to have the nicest readers on the internet!

Lo de Lille, thank you for visiting the blog and it's fun to know I have a kindred spirit in France :)

Kristyn Knits said...

I love that you make things you'll actually wear and enjoy! Your cowl is lovely, as are you! Enjoy your sunrises and sunsets!

Unknown said...

The photos were inspiring. I have decided that I must make a Chickadee cowl. I suppose that I am a process knitter because my thought initially was that I wanted to learn to do the linen stitch. Thanks for this post.

gMarie said...

beautiful knitting. It looks amazing and I'm sure you'll get lots of wear out of it.

Thanks for the reminder about the sunrises and sets. I'll have to see what I can see. g

Hilary said...

What a great interview! I really enjoyed reading it...loved your desert island picks. Size 6 needles...I totally agree! It was nice to see the old photo of Mr. Puffy, too (I will admit to getting a little misty).

Your cowl is gorgeous! Talk about wearable art. That's one of the best pairings of yarn and pattern I think I've ever seen. And, of course, I'm a sucker for linen stitch (thanks for the Cerus and Peppermint Candy Cowl shout-out, by the way :) ). I hope you get a lot of use out of it!

Ally Jay said...

It is a beautiful Cowl

Andi said...

Wow! Gorgeous cowl, it looks beautiful on you.
Yeah for your interview-well done you!

Rachel said...

The cowl is beautiful...love the complexity of the grey you chose! I like the thought process you put into what you knit. I operate a bit differently so it's interesting to read how others approach which patterns to knit next!

Congrats on the interview! An interview is an interview even if the blog isn't famous 'yet'!

At Home Mommy Knits said...

Love the cowl! It looks like you will get a lot of use for it since it isn't very bulky :) Hope all is well with you! Headed over to your interview.