Whew! I finished a project for FO Friday just in the nick of time!
I started this project at the beginning of our trip and completed the cowl part pretty quickly. I made the flower part yesterday and got it all sewn together and finished up this afternoon.
I used the "Artfully Simple Infinity Cowl" pattern for the cowl part. It's a free pattern on Ravelry and the second one I've made. It's simple, quick, fun and I love the results. This one is made with a skein of Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton in the Buff colorway (#3719). I used a size G hook to make it.
I made the flowers with an E hook and patterns from the "100 Lace Flowers to Crochet" book by Caitlin Sainio. I love that book! I sewed white buttons to the center of each flower and stitched the flowers together. Then, I made a chain of about 125, tucked in the ends, and laced it through the back of the flower corsage. Then, I tied it around the cowl with a bow. It'll work this way or with the cowl doubled for more warmth.
I love how it makes a diagonal and open grid. It has great texture, looks interesting, and makes it look a bit more complicated than it actually is.
I was surprised to find that I only needed one skein/220 yards. Any more and it would have been too bulky for this cowl. I had planned on two skeins and used a bit of the second one for the flowers. I now have slightly less than a full skein to figure out what to do with. So, if I were to do this again, I'd make the flowers first and then use the rest for the cowl. I think it would work out just fine that way.
I was a bit hesitant when I started on it because I was worried that this color looked a bit like a fishing net. But, from the reaction I got when I posted a photo on Instagram last week, it seems to be great. And, I like it. It's not just a standard "natural". The color is a bit richer and I think the sheen adds a lot to it. I think the color and yarn are a perfect match for this open, summery cowl and it's a lot like what I had in mind when I bought it. I'm not quite sure what I'd wear it with though. Hmmm?
Oh...and, this makes one more skein that's been de-stashed! Yay!