Lacy Hoods

Every year, I tried to make gifts for the wonderful women in my "Diva" group. We are a group of mothers whose children were in high school theater and became friends. Then our kids all went off to college and jobs all through the US. (Mine became a CPA in Fort Collins, CO and a film editor in Hollywood.) Although they may be scattered to the winds, we stayed together and meet about every six weeks or so. They are my dearest friends. 

Last Christmas I made each of them these cowl/hoods, mainly because one of my friends doesn't wear hats. They can keep the cold out from their neck and head with this delicate hood. I made hoods in beige, rose, light blue, and dark blue. One of these days, I'll make a purple one for me. 

This is a free pattern on Ravelry at this link. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jennylous-lace-cowl 

Is It a Cowl or a Hood? Doesn't matter -- it's free

I don't know why I don't make more hoods because I really like them.

This pattern is a lacy cowl / hood that I made in teal (although it looks blue) and light green.  It's also a fun lace pattern so go for it! I used Lion Brand Amazing Lace and am working on one in Loops and Threads Woolike. Both are perfect for this pattern.

This is a free pattern on Ravelry at this link. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jennylous-lace-cowl 

 

Hooded Cowl for Christina and Simone

Other big news from the past year is that Dane and Christina got engaged. Dane is our son and soon (as in September 2017) Christina will officially join our family. She's already a part now so I am looking forward to having a daughter. Dane and Christina have been together for four years and have been joined my grand-dogs Bella and Simone. Bella is a husky and German shepherd mix and Simone is a chihuahua and dachshund mix (a chi-weany) and they are the sweetest dogs ever. Unfortunately, Neko is not a big fan. He is not crazy about people so you can imagine how he feels about dogs.

Anyway, Christina wanted a hooded cowl instead a hat and so I designed this one for her last Christmas.


I wish I would have written down the pattern but I just kind of knitted it freehand.  I first made a cowl out of bulky yarn and large circular needles, probably size 13. I made sure it was big enough to wrap around her shoulders. Then I picked up stitches along the edge and knitted the hood, joining the hood at the top with a three needle cast off.

Not only does it keep her warm but also the sweet and delicate Simone. It does get cold in Colorado and this cute little number keeps Christina and Simone wrapped up. The more I look at this hooded cowl, I think I will have to design it again and offer the pattern. I'll have to work on that.

Victoria Cowl/Hood

I like to name my designs after people I know, so this is named for my niece, whose middle name is Victoria. I already named a pattern after her first name.  I am going to have start using the names of my friends' children because I am running out of nieces. 

The Victoria Cowl can be worn as a cowl to keep your neck warm, or as a hood when the wind picks up.  It's a simple lace pattern, very similar to the feather and fan pattern. It comes out looking like a ribbed lace pattern, yet it's dense enough to keep the cold out. 

Victoria Cowl/Hood

Materials:

2 Skeins Cascade Yarn 220 Superwash Sports Raspberry

   (100% Superwash Merino Wool -

     50 g(1.75 oz) - 136.5 yds (125m)

Size 6 (4mm) 16” circular needle

Stitch marker                

Yarn needle

Gauge: 4” = 22-24 stitches

Cast on 136 stitches. Join being careful not to twist the stitches. Place marker to note the beginning of the round.

Row 1: K

Row 2: P

Repeat these two rows two more times. 

Begin lace pattern:

Row 1: K

Row 2: *K1, yo, K1, yo, K 5 tog (slip the next four stitches onto your right needle, k1, pass each slipped stitch over the k1 one at a time), yo, k1, yo*. Repeat from * around to marker.

Rows 3 and 4: Knit

Continue these 4 rows for approximately 10 inches, or as long as you want the cowl. The longer the cowl, the better a hood it makes. End with row 2.

Row 1: K

Row 2: P

Repeat these two rows two more times. 

Bind off loosely in pattern.

Cut yarn, leaving an 8” tail. Cut yarn and secure tightly.  Weave in ends.

Lacy Rib Cowl

Mini Mochi in Seaview

 I love the color changes of Mini Mochi yarn, and this cowl takes only one skein.

I purchased a skein of Mini Mochi because I thought it was the same color as the skeins I already had, but when I got home, it was a different color. So what can you do with only one skein? How about a cowl with a lacy rib stitch. I don't like too much around my neck unless it is really, really cold, so this loose cowl is perfect. I just continued until I was about out of yarn and then bind off in pattern.


The Sadie Cowl

I am now offering this pattern for sale for only $4.00  at http://www.craftsy.com/user/4370/pattern-store.

Mini Mochi in Redzone