3.4.2011 - I’m going on a retreat next week for whole week in the Pacific Northwest. I am told that the weather can vary and get as “high” as the mid-to-low 70s, but I know that kind of wetter weather is not the same as 70s in Southern California. I am also told that the weather can get really cold, rain or even snow. Have I mentioned that the retreat is on an island? Surrounded by water! Yep, that means colder. I don’t really own anything super warm, and for a fleeting moment, I thought maybe I can design and knit a sweater for myself within 9-10 days. Then, I came to my senses and decided that I’ll just maybe make myself a large cowl. I don’t know what design or what yarn yet. I am crazy enough to tackle stranded color work with fingering yarn, but I don’t know if I am set on that.

3.6.11. I had too much caffeine (in medication) + being an occasional insomniac means I sometimes design and knit while the hubs and cats are snoring away. I still wanted color but I’m really short on time, so instead of stranded color work, I decided on a wide-loop cowl worked in brioche and moebius. I have a few single skeins of Road to China and Canopy gifted to me for helping my friends set up their booth at TNNA. And since I have sensitive skin, especially at the neck, I decided that these yarns would be perfect. I casted on at about 3:45am (did that 2.5 times!) I know I’m a little crazy, but now crazy enough to attempt a 2 color moebius cast on. It’s now 15min. to 6am; I’ve worked 2.5 rounds, have more of a plan (sort of) and am now going to try and sleep.

3.7.11 I have a couple of inches! For now a webcam photo will have to suffice.

3.7.11 I am so smare. My project is not moebius. I undid the twist somehow when I joined for working in the round. Maybe the project should be dubbed “unMöbius”

3.12.11 After a little setback involving my finger and a grater, following the Japanese earthquake tagedies and getting some other stuff done, I refrained from knitting for a day. I finally finished this and blocked it at 2am this morning. I would have finished sooner, but I wasn’t satisfied with my BO, so I frogged it and re-bound off. It’s now blocking. I also still have to weave in a couple of ends. I hope it dries before my 11am flight tomorrow.

3.30.11 I finished and wore the cowl to my Visionary retreat and was very pleased with the outcome. I got some nice compliments on it too!

July 2011 - I decided to write this pattern up and pair it with another brioche cowl for debut at Vogue Knitting Live in Los Angeles in September.