Winter is Coming...
There is a chill in the air and my chunky cowls have come out to play! It's officially knitting season (although I do believe knitting is an all year round activity)! From sweaters, cowls, scarves, and socks, the possibilities are endless. Winter Accessories are my personal favorite as they knit up quickly and add personality to whatever you wear. This year, I've noticed one trend- the chunkier the better! Chunky yarns aren't only fun but they knit-up in a blink of an eye.
Rasta by Malabrigo comes in medley of kettle dyed colorways. My favorite color is Piedras. If you pair the yarn with the Rasta Neckwarmer and natural coconut buttons, this is something you will want wear all winter long. The pattern for the Rasta Neckwarmer comes in Malabrigo Book 3 which has a number of great patterns for accessories and garments (check out the Twisted Cowl and Purl Ridge Hat)!
Another alternative (**free pattern alert**) is called the Squishy Soft Cowl. This is a great pattern because it caters to different weights of yarn (from fingering to bulky) but you can also customize the size and width of the cowl. If you want a thinner yarn, Mecha or Dream in Color Classy with Cashmere are great options as they are variegated and knit up beautifully to show off the fun pattern.
Extra Is another yarn that has the softness of baby alpaca and the durability of merino. It's great for sweaters, cowls, and scarves alike. The Purl Soho Stitch Block Cowl and Two Harbors Poncho are my picks to showcase this yarn. Extra has great color options that go well with one another.
If you want a one skein project, Alpakka Kashmir is your friend. The Center Row Lace Headband/Cowl will use every last drop of your yarn, with just enough to sow on a cute button to bring in the two ends together. This dual purpose project can keep the chill from nipping at your ears as a headband or help you stay warm around your neck.
The Marled Cowl in Knit Collages' Pixie Dust and Cast Away will give you instant gratification. Knit on size US 35's, in a blink of an eye, you will have a fluffy colorful cowl for the days you just need a little *something* special to keep you warm. Pixie Dust and Cast Away are hand spun artistic yarns that give life to any project. If you want something more colorful and dramatic, the Cozy Cast Away Wrap in any bright color will keep you cozy when you don't want a jacket.
Misti Alpaca's Chunky and Hand paint Chunky are great for one skein scarves (see this one here : Ribs and Ruffles Scarf) but also some fun garments that are perfect for Atlanta's hot/cold winters. The Moto Vest is a great pattern for this yarn because it's a simple pattern to follow and you can wear it a few different ways. I would love to make this vest in the colorway Winter Queen!
If the cold weather hasn't gotten your needles moving, I hope some of these projects will inspire your inner-knitter to come out an play!