I wanted a project that would be fun and quick while being inspiring. Because I have a personal rule to use only would/caked/balled yarn in my stash, I had a limit on which yarn I could use. The “Sweet Pirate” handspun cake that my husband made for me out of Anzula’s gorgeous braids was perfect.
Working the pattern was quick. Being one who loves to use lifelines, I used one after casting on because the cast on edge would be seamed to the opposite edge of the asymmetrical cowl’s other side. I then used another lifeline after each completed chart end. To help keep my horizontal repeats in correct count, I set starting and ending stitch markers after/before the 7-stitch edges, and added stitch markers accordingly where the charts repeated.
At first I was not going to seam the cast on edge and side edges, but I realized that digging around for stitch markers can be worrisome, so I seamed the cowl and wore it immediately.
August 28, 2020
Romi sent out test instructions. I have been debating on using the following:
- Indy dyed hand spun
- (Discontinued) Indy dyed milled yarn
- Commercial yarn (leaning Manos or KFI)
- (Discontinued) Commercial yarn (Classic Elite)
September 01, 2020
I cast on using some special handspun that BFF/craftywineaux made for me out of the Anzula Luxury Fibers that Sabrina gifted to me when Sweet P died during STITCHES West 2011. He plyed it with another natural roving that he spun.
September 09, 2020
When knitting attacks: About 1/2-way in bind off, you realize that you missed to work the last rest row in Chart B. I was about to tink back when BFF reminded me of Lily Chin’s brilliant words: If you cannot see the error while riding on horseback, it’s all good.
September 10, 2020
Bind off done. Now to block.
September 28, 2020
From my IG post for today:
Please excuse the lifelines while my Empower Lace Cowl dries in its blocking state. I decided at the moment not to seam the ends so I can wear shawl pins with it. Though we will see if I change my mind after it dries. The free knitting pattern is by the talented Romi Hill. BFF had spun the Anzula roving for me on his Robin Wheel. I love how it turned out!
September 30, 2020
After making sure the cowl was dry, I took it off the blocking set, seamed the connecting spots, and wove in the ends. I realized by seaming the cowl that I would never have to worry about finding a shawl pin to use.
Posted as homework for Fall 2020 Potions.
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