The cowl is finished!

I have never been more thrilled at finishing a project. After all the false starts, the cowl knitting went smoothly this time and it is done. It is blocking as we speak.

I added beads on the stems of the leaves. There are yo, k1, yo sections in the pattern and I put the bead on the k1 between the yarnovers. 

I need to get some pins and pin out the scallops. They look a little messy with just finger blocking.

I used the Elizabeth Zimmerman sewn bind-off so that it would be nice and stretchy to go over the head. The yarn is Juniper Moon Findley Dappled and it is a lovely yarn. The cowl is soft and very cushy. The ball is very large and this cowl uses a very small part of it. So if you have some leftover, this is a perfect project.

Finally, success without a twist

I started the cowl again. Yes, it had a twist. No, I cannot figure out what happened. But I don't care any more. I went back to some well-loved dpns. I was using a new set to start the other because they happened to be handy and I didn't like them with this yarn.

 There it is. Half done. I started on the size 4 ebony dpns above and just switched to the size 3 ones below. They are rosewood. Both have lovely points for lace. Not too sharp and not too blunt and they feel like heaven in my hands.

 A close up of the gorgeous yarn with the beads. The beads sparkle nicely in the variegated yarn.

 I also make some faux-rolags to play with on the wheel. This is Spinners Hill merino from last year's Rhinebeck. I made them following this method, which I have wanted to try for a while.

And a close-up. I've done half the merino for one single. I think I want a skinnier thing to roll it on. I used the roll from contact paper as I thought my rolling pin was too thick. Next time I will use my skinny rolling pin from India.

The end results of Fiber preparation

Whether that is dyeing or washing, combing or spinning, the feeling of accomplishment is there. I finished both the Vernal Equinox shawl and a beaded cowl with the locks I got in February.

This is the shawl. It is a nice large size and very comfortable to wear.

Here it is blocking...

And there's is the cowl, showing the entire process from start to finish:

1. The unwashed locks from the fleece
2. Clean and combed locks
3. Singles on the bobbin
4. The finished cowl (pattern is Abstract Leaves Cowl)
   
5. Plied yarn
6. Finished and washed yarn

On to other knitting and spinning and washing and dyeing...

Quick FO

I started this on Friday night and it is done. Yes, it was a bit of a stretch to finish it in 2 days. But these were two football days. I knitted as I watched four games this weekend and it is done.

Closeup of the corrugated knitting which forms the cowl. This is a k2, p2 rib done in 2 colors. I had the advantage of using Noro Silk Garden for the second color so I didn't have to join yarns. That definitely sped up the process.Here is the finished cowl. It is bulky but will be warm and definitely cheery. Purple is my favorite color!
I will be taking a few days off knitting before I begin anything new. My hands can sure use the rest. Plus, it is back to work tomorrow so there are fewer hours to knit anyway.