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Heather's Lainey Cowl

Let’s talk about Carrie Bostick Hoge and her book, Madder: Anthology 2/ Simple Pleasures. It’s full of clean lines, simple fabrics and I love every project in it! It is no secret that I am drawn to what I like to call “IGP” – instant gratification projects – so as soon as I flipped past the Lainey Cowl, I was sold. It has just enough to make it unique and interesting while remaining a simple IGP!

Pattern: Lainey Cowl by Carrie Bostick Hoge from Madder: Anthology II
Yarn: 3 skeins of Quince & Co Puffin in Kittywake (available in our Denver store)

I stuck with Carrie’s suggestion of using Quince & Co Puffin for a few reasons. I had never knit with it, the Quince & Co color palette is fantastic and it’s on the smaller side of chunky weight yarns. It was a great choice and Quince & Co has quickly become a favorite of mine.

Puffin is especially fun because it morphs in texture and appearance from the skein to the ball to the fabric. By the time that I was done with the cowl, it had really (excuse the crafty pun) ‘puffed’ up to perfection. I wear a lot of black so I chose to go with the medium, cool grey ‘Kittywake’ – a nice neutral to go with virtually anything in my wardrobe. The pattern calls for 3 skeins and I ended up using just under 2 ½ skeins.

The pattern itself was an absolute breeze and I finished it in just a few hours! How’s that for an IGP!! Plus, I have yet to block it which I attribute to the simple fabric and nature of the yarn…nothing like a chunky, wool yarn to save you from having to wait for your new creation to be blocked! Knit in the round, this pattern is a take on your basic rib pattern. I love the way that the vertical ribs look set atop the garter stitch fabric.

My favorite thing about the Lainey is the slight taper at the top of the cowl. Most cowl patterns are just a big loop. The taper on this cowl really gives it a very tailored and finished look and makes it very versatile. You could drape it over the shoulders, bunch it up around your neck on a cold day, even a Katniss-inspired over one shoulder look!

I can't say enough wonderful things about the Madder: Anthology II. I think it is so fantastic that I already have my next project from it on needles … the Laurel Cowl in Woolfok Far which is basically like knitting with butter!

Until next time, stay Fancy and look for your inspiration everywhere! Check in on Monday to see Kelly's beautiful cabled Oak Crest hat.

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