I've never used handspun yarn before but Natalie from the Knatters Knits podcast kindly sent me a skein to try. I wrote all about it in my Handspun post. I've been looking forward to giving it a go so I decided to look for a pattern with this yarn in mind.
You'll have heard me mention Erica Lueder's sock patterns many times, I've knit quite a few of them, some more than once, and I came across a cowl pattern by this same designer which I liked the look of. Cowardly Cowl is a nice simple textured pattern and I decided that this would be the one I'd cast on.
I wasn't quite sure that the pattern was doing the yarn justice as I was knitting it but I'm actually quite pleased with the end result. The yarn was lovely to knit with, quite different from anything I've used before as there are some thicker bits and then thinner bits, but it gives a lovely overall effect.
This cowl is just the thing I need when I'm dog walking in winter, it's so snuggly and soft around my neck and will keep me nice and warm as the yarn consists of 70% Bluefaced Leicester and 30% Sparkle.
Thank you, Natalie, I've enjoyed using the yarn and I'm now a convert to handspun, I'll be looking out for more.
I love it! what lovely yarn it looks soft and warm and cosy, Happy New Year! xx
ReplyDeleteThe yarn's very snuggly, just the thing for a cowl. Thank you, happy new year to you too.
DeleteAnother great finish, I really must knit more this year.
ReplyDeleteI knit lots of socks last year, though not many pairs were for me. I'd like to knit more socks for me this year and some things other than socks too.
DeleteJust lovely - I haven't tried handspun...yet ;) I just started a new project as well, a dishtowel, which will be my first cotton knit (as well as first dishtowel). This one has been in the project bag for months so I'm happy to finally get started & excited to see how it turns out.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try some more handspun yarn now, this was lovely to knit with. I love handknit dishcloths, I like using them much more than shop bought, though I find cotton yarn can be a little splitty to knit with.
DeleteIt does look warm, so soft looking.
ReplyDeleteIt's very cosy round the neck, just the thing to keep the chills out.
DeleteThe yarn is gorgeous. You can't beat a cosy cowl in the cold weather. Warm but not bulky to wear. X
ReplyDeleteI'm a convert to cowls, as you say, they're not bulky like scarves can be but still keep you nice and warm.
DeleteThe cowl looks lovely, Jo. I bet it's really cosy! :o)
ReplyDeleteIt's very cosy. It's so soft and lovely and warm too.
DeleteLovely colours, and great texture, although I was surprised to read that you had nothing on the needles. Nothing? Not a thing? That's very unusual.
ReplyDeleteZilch, though I remedied that on New Year's Day and I'm just about to cast something else on too.
DeleteThat is perfect for dog walking. Looks good too.xxx
ReplyDeleteThe colour goes perfect with the coat I wear for dog walking and it keeps me extra cosy when I'm out at the crack of dawn.
DeleteVery pretty. I rather like having a few chunky bits in the wool, they give a good texture.
ReplyDeleteThe pattern's very textured anyway so the yarn just adds to that, it's really pretty.
DeleteIt looks lovely, just perfect for the colder days x
ReplyDeleteIt will certainly keep me warm, just what I need when I'm out early morning these wintry days.
DeleteLove it. I get so excited seeing what other people make with my handspun. If you ever want more I sell it at www.knattersknits.co.uk
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to knit with. I shall definitely be taking a look in your shop.
DeleteNever thought of making a cowl before. This would suit me as I don't like jumpers with high necks but could remove this when I got indoors, where did you get the pattern from?
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
The pattern's free on Ravelry. It's nice and simple but gives a lovely textured fabric, and it knits up really quickly too.
DeleteLooks gorgeous. I am a great fan of a cowl but sadly I can't tolerate wool as much as I love it.
ReplyDeleteI used to hate that scratchy wool that every jumper seemed to be made of when I was a child but now I've discovered softer wool I'm fine. The neck is the worst place to wear it though if you can't tolerate it.
Deletegreat cowl, love the yarn. I am a convert to Cowls, love them.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same, I'm a recent convert to cowls, much easier than wrapping a scarf round the neck.
DeleteIt looks soft and cosy just in the photo, so it must be gorgeous and snuggly in real life. Happy new year xx
ReplyDeleteI don't think a photo ever does it justice, it is very snuggly. Thank you, happy new year to you too.
DeleteThe colour is gorgeous Jo.... just the right thing for the chilly days of January and February! Jx
ReplyDeleteThe colour is perfect to go with my coat and it will keep me lovely and warm.
DeleteIt is beautiful, well done.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to knit with handspun, which I hadn't done before, and I'm very pleased with the outcome.
DeleteNow that does look soft, cosy and snuggly.
ReplyDeleteI've got nothing on the needles today, that wont last long will it! lol.
I started the new year without a thing on my needles but I cast on something new on new year's day and I've got another couple of things I'm wanting to cast on too, empty needles don't last long.
DeleteJust what I need, Jo. You may have heard about the frigid Arctic chill we are experiencing here for nearly two weeks. This morning when I got up it was -2°F; that is -19°C. To make it worse, we are having some heating problems in our house. I'm trying not to complain (I'm not homeless as so many are) but I can't wait for spring. P. x
ReplyDeleteI have heard about the conditions you're experiencing at the moment, all I can do is hope that they don't last much longer, especially when you're having problems with the heating. Isn't that always the way, it goes on the blink just when you need it most. I do hope things warm up for you soon.
DeleteI've been knitting masses of scarves for friends and was wondering earlier today whether something like this would be good so it could be pulled up over the head.
ReplyDeleteI've only recently started wearing cowls but I love them as they're not so bulky as a scarf but they're super cosy.
DeleteLooks great and the yarn sounds scrummy, especially being so soft xcx
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to wear around the neck. Some yarns can be a little scratchy but this is fine.
DeleteSo creative of you. Awesome work! Happy 2018!
ReplyDeleteI'm very pleased with it. Thank you, happy new year to you too.
DeleteLovely colours Jo ...
ReplyDeleteYou just can't beat a cosy cowl in the cold weather ...
All the best Jan
That's true, it's lovely to be snuggly and warm.
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