I've never done a CAL, KAL, or xAL, so maybe it's time to start. I need something like the cowl, too. Floppy scarf ends are getting in the way.
Now what yarn to use? I have some variegated sock yarn from KnitPicks. I wonder if that will work? Oh goodness gracious, I may be forced to visit a LYS! ;)
Is there an etiquette to CAL's that I should know?
I found the sock yarn, multi-colored named Redwood Forest, so you can guess the colors involved, and you'll be right. It's almost the same yardage/100 grams, so the gauge, which is unimportant(! says the pattern) should be about the same. I don't think it will matter that the color changes hide the look of the lace. Squishing it up around my neck will hide the stitch pattern anyway.
I wish she gave either size or gauge information. I don't like going in blind, taking her numbers on faith.
But already I have questions. She calls for a D hook. Won't that be a little tight and stiff? I recall the socks I tried so disastrously to crochet were done on a much larger F hook. I have to wind skeins into balls and then I'll swatch, but what hook size are you using?
Submitted by pauline3 on 4 October 2007 - 10:31pm.
I'll work on this project this weekend and see if I can get some pictures posted on my progress.
I think the lace pattern of the cowl lends itself well to solid colors but you could try a swatch in the variegated and see how it looks.
Prior to buying my yarn I did up a few rows with worsted weight just to see if I could DO the pattern then I splurged on the merino yarn.
I've discovered I REALLY like merino. :)
The D hook does make for small stitches but the yarn helps with flexibility. The pattern itself is very stretchy/loopy so give it a shot .. if you think it's too tight go up a size.
I think I may end up doing that myself just to get a slightly bigger cowl and this seems so tiny.
Submitted by taligator on 4 October 2007 - 10:36pm.
After some swatching with a D hook, I think the original cowl is 30" around and 12.5" to 13" tall. Is that what you're getting?
After swatching with my yarn, I decided I liked the feel of the fabric better with an F hook than with a D hook. Then I stumbled around a bit and discovered casting on 130 sts worked at the new gauge.
Still not content to leave the pattern alone, I started with a Doris Chan single crochet foundation row. It's also described in a recent Interweave Crochet magazine but with a different name. It's so nice to work into to say nothing of counting ease. I prefer it far, far more than a foundation chain.
Anyway, I'm only working on the 5th row now. Can I blame the dog who keeps climbing in my lap wanting to play? Sure I can, LOL.
That's fantastic! I am not nearly as far as you but love the modifications you've made.
I think a foundation row will also make it more sturdy too.
I haven't had much time to mess with this pattern but am determined to work on it tomorrow. I am going to rip out what I've done already. My Mom is a bit claustrophobic so I think making it a little larger is in my best interests. I'd hate to make it as is and have her get wigged by putting it on. :)
I think I'll go pick up that issue of Interweave Crochet too .. I do like this month's Interweave Knits (which has an amazing article on cables, glorious cables!).
Thanks!
Submitted by taligator on 7 October 2007 - 11:05pm.
I'm not sure the foundation row is sturdier, but it could be. It seems more elastic. I usually do the foundation chain with a larger hook, but used the F hook for the foundation row.
Poor Mom. Can she wear sweaters, tees, etc. or does everything have to open down the front?
Submitted by pauline3 on 8 October 2007 - 12:09pm.
She can wear them but if they are too tight and she goes to take it off and can't easily do it she gets a little weirded out. Mostly she's fine though ..
I'm going to work on this when I get home tonight ...
Submitted by taligator on 8 October 2007 - 12:11pm.
I'm DONE in the sense of declare it done and quit. It's smaller than the original, too loose a swatch?, about 24 inches around, 10 1/2 inches tall unblocked, but it fits and will work well. I'm wearing it now, and it's lovely warm.
I want to wash and block it lightly. I've read that wool gets softer after washing and this is a teensy bit scratchy on my neck.
No pics. I'm having problems with my camera. It's called operator ignorance.
If I were to do it over - I'd make it larger around to cover the V of my coat lower down for warmth. A moebius scarf might reach lower and more smoothly. I'd make it in sport weight yarn so it would go faster. And I'd ditch the multi-color yarns that look so gorgeous in the skein and rather odd when made up.
The pattern is a simple 4-row repeat, two dc shells, then ch3, sc, ch3, easy peasy, right? But learning where to put the dc shells is non-obvious and took several rounds before it sank in. The classic stitch pattern is called 'Warm Glow' in the *Harmony Guide to Crocheting*
Submitted by pauline3 on 29 November 2007 - 11:54am.
I've never done a CAL, KAL, or xAL, so maybe it's time to start. I need something like the cowl, too. Floppy scarf ends are getting in the way.
Now what yarn to use? I have some variegated sock yarn from KnitPicks. I wonder if that will work? Oh goodness gracious, I may be forced to visit a LYS! ;)
Is there an etiquette to CAL's that I should know?
I found the sock yarn, multi-colored named Redwood Forest, so you can guess the colors involved, and you'll be right. It's almost the same yardage/100 grams, so the gauge, which is unimportant(! says the pattern) should be about the same. I don't think it will matter that the color changes hide the look of the lace. Squishing it up around my neck will hide the stitch pattern anyway.
I wish she gave either size or gauge information. I don't like going in blind, taking her numbers on faith.
But already I have questions. She calls for a D hook. Won't that be a little tight and stiff? I recall the socks I tried so disastrously to crochet were done on a much larger F hook. I have to wind skeins into balls and then I'll swatch, but what hook size are you using?
I don't think so, regarding etiquette ...
I'll work on this project this weekend and see if I can get some pictures posted on my progress.
I think the lace pattern of the cowl lends itself well to solid colors but you could try a swatch in the variegated and see how it looks.
Prior to buying my yarn I did up a few rows with worsted weight just to see if I could DO the pattern then I splurged on the merino yarn.
I've discovered I REALLY like merino. :)
The D hook does make for small stitches but the yarn helps with flexibility. The pattern itself is very stretchy/loopy so give it a shot .. if you think it's too tight go up a size.
I think I may end up doing that myself just to get a slightly bigger cowl and this seems so tiny.
After some swatching with a D hook, I think the original cowl is 30" around and 12.5" to 13" tall. Is that what you're getting?
After swatching with my yarn, I decided I liked the feel of the fabric better with an F hook than with a D hook. Then I stumbled around a bit and discovered casting on 130 sts worked at the new gauge.
Still not content to leave the pattern alone, I started with a Doris Chan single crochet foundation row. It's also described in a recent Interweave Crochet magazine but with a different name. It's so nice to work into to say nothing of counting ease. I prefer it far, far more than a foundation chain.
Anyway, I'm only working on the 5th row now. Can I blame the dog who keeps climbing in my lap wanting to play? Sure I can, LOL.
Pauline -
That's fantastic! I am not nearly as far as you but love the modifications you've made.
I think a foundation row will also make it more sturdy too.
I haven't had much time to mess with this pattern but am determined to work on it tomorrow. I am going to rip out what I've done already. My Mom is a bit claustrophobic so I think making it a little larger is in my best interests. I'd hate to make it as is and have her get wigged by putting it on. :)
I think I'll go pick up that issue of Interweave Crochet too .. I do like this month's Interweave Knits (which has an amazing article on cables, glorious cables!).
Thanks!
I'm not sure the foundation row is sturdier, but it could be. It seems more elastic. I usually do the foundation chain with a larger hook, but used the F hook for the foundation row.
Poor Mom. Can she wear sweaters, tees, etc. or does everything have to open down the front?
She can wear them but if they are too tight and she goes to take it off and can't easily do it she gets a little weirded out. Mostly she's fine though ..
I'm going to work on this when I get home tonight ...
Up to round 22, about 9 1/2 inches long. Still going, but oh, do I bore easily!
I haven't worked on this at all. I find it very tedious actually ..
:(
I'm DONE in the sense of declare it done and quit. It's smaller than the original, too loose a swatch?, about 24 inches around, 10 1/2 inches tall unblocked, but it fits and will work well. I'm wearing it now, and it's lovely warm.
I want to wash and block it lightly. I've read that wool gets softer after washing and this is a teensy bit scratchy on my neck.
No pics. I'm having problems with my camera. It's called operator ignorance.
If I were to do it over - I'd make it larger around to cover the V of my coat lower down for warmth. A moebius scarf might reach lower and more smoothly. I'd make it in sport weight yarn so it would go faster. And I'd ditch the multi-color yarns that look so gorgeous in the skein and rather odd when made up.
The pattern is a simple 4-row repeat, two dc shells, then ch3, sc, ch3, easy peasy, right? But learning where to put the dc shells is non-obvious and took several rounds before it sank in. The classic stitch pattern is called 'Warm Glow' in the *Harmony Guide to Crocheting*