Finished: Marian

Woah! Wait a minute...where did this project come from??

Well, I had actually knit this about 2 weeks ago and this cowl was seriously such a quick knit that I didn't even have the chance to blog about it while it was a WIP. No lie. This cowl took only a few hours to whip up. I kid you not. I'm sure it would've been in less time if I wasn't having tickle fights and blowing raspberries on a certain 2 year old toddler's tummy. I had cast on minutes before the Munchkin woke up (super early) from his nap, had knit several rounds while he played, and then finished up while Brett was putting the kidlet to bed.

This cowl is another Jane Richmond pattern, she's the one that wrote the pattern for Georgia that I'm currently knitting as well. I have several of her patterns in my queue, like the Mustard scarf, Pasha, and Sedum (which I can't wait to knit but need to find the right yarn first). Marian is a super easy pattern and a beyond quick knit that only uses one skein of super bulky yarn on extremely large needles. I used the recommended yarn, which was on sale at the Beehive last week. I didn't do a gauge swatch (I gotta stop this bad habit!) and just used the needle size called for in the pattern. I've never knit with 15mm needles before, especially in circular form. It seriously felt like I was knitting with nun chucks or something! It was kinda awkward but then again, I'm used to knitting with fingering weight yarn on tiny needles. I broke out my Denise Interchangeable set to knit this project since I had purchased the extra needle tips for the set when I first received the kit. I'm still a bit undecided as to how I feel about the needles. Yes, they are super light. Yes, I love the fact that I didn't have to worry about my tips slowing unscrewing from the cable. But I find the cables to be really stiff and like I had drinking straws attached to the end of my needles. I guess I'll just have to knit another project with them to get a better opinion on them.

Anyways, this project has nothing to do with my 12 in 2011 goal. I just needed a break from all my 12 in 2011 projects since I felt like I've been plugging away on them and not getting anywhere. I needed instant gratification and Marian was a guaranteed quick knit, even though seed stitch and I don't normally agree with each other (I think it has to do with the constant changing of position of the yarn). The second I bound off the last stitch I had immediately woven in the ends, and wow! How satisfying!! So satisfying that I got chills down my back.

I had cast on the number of stitches called for and had knit until I ran out of yarn. I think I could have knit another round before binding off cause I had 10g of yarn left over. Oh, and can I just say something about this yarn? I thought Malabrigo was the only buttery soft yarn out there. I mean, I've felt soft, but not buttery soft. The Twinkle Soft Chunky? Oh yeah, it's buttery all right. And so light! It feels like you're wearing clouds around your neck! Soooo nice!! Ok, back to the regularly scheduled programming...I would love to knit another version in either black or a nice smoky grey, but that might have to wait until the fall when I can get some actual use out of them. In the meantime I'm definitely keeping this pattern in mind for when I'm strapped for time and must produce a quick gift. Just think Christmas gifts, hostess gifts for fall/winter parties...I'm already planning on making a few for some friends and family members for Christmas!

Cowl details:
Pattern: Marian by Jane Richmond
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Twinkle Handknits Soft Chunky
Colour: 02 - Raspberry
Needle: Denise Interchangeable in 15mm (US 19)
Ravelry Link: MisoCraftyKnits' Marian

You can't see the cowl in these 2 photos, and really, these photos have nothing to do with this post but I love the action shot of the hair whipping.

I was standing on the bed while Brett took these. I didn't feel like going outside (it was raining) for the better lighting and was really hoping the lighting in the bedroom would suffice (it didn't). The Munchkin was suer curious as to why Mommy was standing on the bed and figured since I was standing on the bed, then it must be ok for him to jump on the bed. An impromptu dance party is what ensued. Hence the hair whipping.

That, and it's fun to do.