In the email I said “a machine-washable small cowl in fine (4-ply, like the handwarmers) yarn, with some kind of cunning herringbone pattern, quite a small one, bright green and black stripes, that can be doubled up.” And Sausage said that sounded good. However, I have no pattern so I’m kind of playing it by ear.

So far I’m swatching to get the right tension. I’m new to herringbone and it knits up quite tight so I’ve had to go up a fair few needle sizes; I’m on 4.5mm right now.

17th Oct
4.5mm makes a good tension! :) (Note to self: If I hate a new stitch it’s because I’ve got the needles too small!)

12th Nov
It’s been slow going because I’ve been moving house, but we’re getting there. I’ve cast on 300 stitches, and I’m about to start the black stripe. There’s 3 rows of moss stitch to stop the edges curling. Have a new photo!

20th Nov
Some exciting striping is appearing. Also I tried it on yesterday (love circular needles), and it totally fitted over my head. :O

23rd Nov
Here is a little 14-second timelapse of me knitting it while watching Buffy. There’s a bit where I work out I’ve been doing it wrong for like 70 stitches and have to undo them all. >.<

26th Nov
I seem to have finished. It fits just right on my skinny neck, and it is a bit curly. I don’t have an iron so I might just have to shout at my inner perfectionist and send it as-is! It will stretch a bit with use, which I think is good. And wow is it warm. :)

3rd Dec
Forgot to mention that I need to find a cunning way to block it or similar, to make it a little bigger and let it lie flat. All my blocking stuff is in another county, so it may take a little while…

1st Feb 2014
Sausage has received it!