ConnieLene – KnitDesigner

I love knitting skirts and this one was delivered to Angelica in Switzerland last week and has already travelled to Prague to be photographed.

The yarn is Bombay from Katia and is lovely to work with and the colours are gorgeous. This pattern will become available – probably after we return to New Zealand as there is too much to manage right now. It will available in 3 lengths.

Bombay is 100% Mercerized Cotton.
100 grs. – 3 oz 1/2 | 230 mts. – 251 yds.
Size of needles: 3 – 3 1/2 USA 4 – 5
Number of shades: 12

I have knitted 2 cowls from the chunky yarn – and sadly there was such a discrepancy in the yarn quantity that I cannot say my cowl can be created with only one 100 gram hank of the chunky yarn.

When I knitted my first cowl I loved it and so did some of you. The long colour change in this chunky yarn gives each hank a single colour repeat in a rainbow like effect, which is one reason for attempting the cowl with only one hank. When I knitted the second to test my pattern I ran out of yarn long before the planned completion of the cowl.

I then weighed the cowls and the first weighed in at 119 grams and the second cowl – weighed in at 82 grams hence the problem despite being created from 100 gram hanks of chunky yarn. I will undo the bind off on the second cowl and continue knitting with another hank, and we’ll see how the colour change works going onto that second hank.

I will also reknit the pattern with another chunky yarn with a weighed 100 grams and see how I get on with that. If that creates a gorgeous chunky cowl – then I will publish that pattern. If not then “C’est la vie”

I have been cogitating over which words to use for this neck warmer / shoulder warmer / gaiter / cowl etc etc. I have decided to stick with “Cowl”. Why, because in this case it has a nice ring to it and the word rolls off the tongue so well.

I am quite certain; that is I am cocksure that the name of this piece should be ……

what am I talking about?

Well the “Connie Colourscape Cowl of course

And I think it is codswallop to call it a gaiter.

Anyway – it is knitted in the round. It is similar to Sean Sheep Armytage cowl. In the original cowl I started my increases close to the neck edge, in this one I knitted it without any shaping for about 14cm before beginning the increases.

It has been created with one hank of Colourscape chunky, knitted on circular needles. I am still not absolutely certain which colour it is as I left the label on the train, but still think it could be Jungle #447.

Rowan Colourscape Chunky is a roving type yarn with an artisan look and rustic appeal which is spun and made in Britain. Designed by renowned textile artist, Kaffe Fassett each hank gives a single repeat rainbow like effect. 100% Lambswool.

So you too could create a cowl like this one with only 160 m or 175 yards of a chunky yarn.

Angelica is a very tiny lady and this piece was created specifically for her and was intended for Christmas.

Angelica is from Chile, and is the partner of my son Morgan so this neck warmer was to be one of her Christmas presents from us.

Problem was the train to Switzerland was overcrowded. All the seats were reserved on the first train from Amsterdam which we caught because the conditions for travelling were so bad the weekend before Christmas that we couldn’t risk not getting there and so we stood from Amsterdam to Frankfurt. We were not even able to get a coffee, fortunately we had food and water with us. The journey was so difficult that I didn’t manage to finish the piece, nor did I complete it at their home in time for Christmas.

It is done now and I will give it to Morgan for Angelica when he visits Apeldorn in the Netherlands at the end of next week.

Neck Warmer in Feather and Fan stitch

The neck warmer is knitted in the round. The shoulder section is knitted in Feather and Fan stitch, the neck section (hidden) is k2 p2 rib with the folded down neck section is also in Feather and Fan. I began with a provisional cast on and knitted the rib down followed by the feather and fan stitch. I then knitted up from the rib in the reverse direction so the feather and fan would sit correctly when folded down.

I did check the sizing on Angelica while we were there with them in Switzerland – she sat with her eyes closed while we checked it out and it looked great. The colours of it look great against the beautiful colour of her skin, eyes and hair. I hope she likes it when she receives it.

If I receive a photo I shall post it here.

I am still working on the ultimate pattern as have knitted this in 8ply and in 12 ply – one with rib neck and one with Feather and fan neck. I am not sure yet which I love the best.

Neck and Shoulder Warmer / Gaiter

Yes I know; Gaiter(s) used to describe a neck warmer does not feel quite right to me as yet. But then language is always developing, as it should. So who am I to say that the leg protector word cannot be used for a neck warmer or neck protector.

Neck and Shoulder Warmer / Gaiter

Anyway this is my gaiter for Natascha or my latest neck and shoulder warmer with my most recently rediscovered favourite stitch – good old Feather & Fan.

When I first knitted with feather and fan it was all baby matinee jackets and shawls and so on. Now I am using it for neck warmers, arm warmers, cowls, waistcoats etc. I love it.