Friday, November 4, 2011

a little bit of bling


This simple cowl was a freebie pattern from my lys.  The pattern calls for 1 skein of "Nuna" by MIRASOL, but I had this luscious Wenslydale yarn from Amanda of Joli House that was perfect for this project.  In addition to the main yarn, you hold a strand of "Lazer FX" alongside when you knit every 6th row. 
The sequins add just the right amount of bling to a rather ordinary knit.  You don't even have to cut the sequin yarn, you just let it run on the back side and it hides itself wonderfully. I used size 8 needles and knit until it was about 7 1/2 inches tall....easy enough! 
It seems like cowls are the thing among knitters these days. I see them all over the blogosphere and on Ravelry.   They are fun, fast and make great gifts, but what I really want to know is, "Do people who aren't knitters wear them?"  Let me know what you think....I've got some on my list to knit as gifts and I'm wondering if they are going to be received with joy or that "ooh, how nice! (what was she thinking knitting me a neck tube)"  kind of reception.  You know what I mean?  Sometimes I wonder if my knitting gifts are as appreciated as I hope or if they're received like that scratchy sweater your grandma knit you in bright green and orange acrylic yarn when you really wanted a curling iron......maybe that's just me. 


17 comments:

~ The Jolly Bee ~ said...

You nailed it! Those sweaters from Grandma! I'm cracking up right now....I'm never sure if the non-crafty folks really do appreciate our doings. Your cowl is lovely.

Meg said...

I love this cowl, and I sure hope non-knitters wear them, because I've made five of them for the nieces and nephews. I have a feeling that this will be the year they start rolling their eyes when it's time to open the present...

trish said...

Your cowl is so pretty. And it looks very snuggly and warm. I am not a knitter, but I have seen those all around different blogs and I am sure they are not knitting blogs. :o) It is so sweet of you to create such lovely things as gifts. I know it gets tricky when we want to make just the right thing and each person is so different. :o)
I hope you have a nice weekend.
Sincerely, Trish

From All Stitched Up said...

Your cowl is great and I agree just the right amount of bling. I always wonder if home made gifts are loved. Usually I start out knowing the gift would be perfect and by the time I'm done making it I have my doubts. Some of my gifts have been a hit and some maybe not. I probably have a 50% sucess rate.

From All Stitched Up said...

Your cowl is great and I agree just the right amount of bling. I always wonder if home made gifts are loved. Usually I start out knowing the gift would be perfect and by the time I'm done making it I have my doubts. Some of my gifts have been a hit and some maybe not. I probably have a 50% sucess rate.

Tracy said...

This is GORGEOUS, Lisa! I love that bit o' bling! ;o) The FX is a great arty yarn to work with, the subtle shimmer really adds that bit of extra special to a project. And it's perfect for this cowl--beautiful stitch pattern. I just love this! :o) I wonder, too, about homemade gift given to the non-crafters. I just hope that the smile given on receipt is sincere. ;o) Among my nieces & nephews though, I'm doing fewer & fewer handmade gifts. They have specific store-bought things on their lists now they're getting older... LOL... Happy Weekend ((HUGS))

Denise said...

I've k it a few cowls as gifts but I honestly don't know if the recipient wears them cos I don't live near them! I did knit myself one for when I went home to England one year in Feb, and I know I wore it every day. It was so much easier than wearing a long scarf :-) I love your cowl with the bling.

Anonymous said...

How very pretty! At first I thought, "Oh but that looks scratchy" but then I saw that the sequins are all on the Outside. I knit but don't wear cowls - so can't pronounce on the non-knitters. Nowadays I usually only knit presents for knitters or my family (who also knit and know what it entails to produce something by hand) - unless I get a request of course!

Christina said...

Oh, that is so pretty! I think I'd wear it if it was given to me, and I'm not really much of a knitter. : )

Ruth said...

Your cowl is beautiful. I don't crochet gifts much either. It seems like some people don't understand the love that goes into what we make. It is tough to know if they really like it or are trying to be polite.

Ruth

Anonymous said...

I Love your cowl! I am a knitter and i knit gifts all the time for people. I see them wear them as well. I do know however, who to knit for and who not to. Cowls are so lovley and simple I believe that they would be enjoyed by whoever recieves one. I wear a knitted item every day..

Christina said...

So, I'm on Pinterest, and one of my friends who does not knit pinned a "Beautiful, big herringbone cowl" that she wants. I laughed when I remember this post, and I just *had* to come back and let you know that there are indeed some non-knitting people out there who like cowls. ; )

At Home Mommy Knits said...

I love your cowl with all the little bits of sparkle! I just caught up with your blog and the notebook covers are great (want to make some for the kiddos) and I adore the pumpkins! Looks like your fall is shapiing up beautifully!

Leslie said...

Oh, wow! How beautiful!!! It is perfect.

cathleen said...

Oh my goodness, Lisa...that is really pretty. The sparkle makes it quite exquisite.

Kristyn Knits said...

That little bit of bling adds so much! I think they look like itty bitty snowflakes!! Love it! I had a request from my cousin for "anything handmade...like a cowl" for Christmas. I think those who don't craft still appreciate the personal touch. Especially your recipients...your quality is wonderful!!

Cathy said...

You've asked a perfect question...one I too have always wondered about knitted cowls. I also wonder the same thing about fingerless mitts. Yet I love wearing those.