Stornes Cowl - Free Crochet Pattern

Spincycle Independence Yarn

This pattern was born from one skein of Spincycle Independence yarn that was gifted to me by my daughter. I've had it out for a while now wondering how to best use it so I can enjoy the softness and colours!

Along comes Stornes Cowl. It's a short cowl (only 26 inches; 66 cm in length) so it hugs ones neck nicely.

It's a great pattern for that one skein of worsted/aran weight yarn (200 yards; 183 meters) that you have always wanted to use but can't find the right pattern.

Here is some basic information you need to create this cowl ...

SKILLS REQUIRED

Chain

Single Crochet

Double Crochet

Shell

V Stitch

Puff Stitch

SIZE

One size approximately 8 x 26 inches (20 x 66 cm)

HOOK SIZE

US size I/9 (5.5 mm)

GAUGE

 13 dc and 7 rows is 4 inches (10cm)

 YARN REQUIREMENTS

200 yards (183 meters ) worsted weight yarn

Sample crocheted with

Spincycle Yarns Independence; 100% American wool; 200 yards (183 meters) in 100g (3.53 ounces); Color: Idle Nights

OTHER MATERIALS

4 - 7/8 inch buttons (22mm) and matching thread

Tapestry needle

NOTES

Written in US Terminology

To create a wider or narrower cowl chain a  multiple of 6 + 5

Turn at the end of each row unless indicated otherwise

Want a chart? Find it on Ravelry here Stornes Cowl

Stornes is a rocky peninsula near the Larsemann Hills region of Antarctica. Why this name? Stornes features rich mineral deposits of boron and phosphate that create beautiful striations in the rockwork. Much like this Spincycle yarn creates in this pattern.

ABBREVIATIONS

beg-ch    Beginning chain

ch(s)       Chain(s)

ch-sp      Space formed by chain(s)

cm          centimeters

dc           Double crochet

Puff3       (Yarn over hook, insert hook into specified stitch, yarn over again and draw up a long loop) three times, yarn over hook and pull through all 7 loops on hook, ch 1. Find a picture tutorial of the Puff Stitch here Puff Stitch

sc           Single crochet

shell        3 dc in indicated st

sk           Skip

sl st        Slip stitch

tc           Turning ch

Vst         (dc, ch 1, dc) in indicated stitch

Now for the actual pattern ...

STORNES COWL

Ch 23.

BUTTONBAND

Row 1:  Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch to end. (22 sc)

Row 2:  Ch 1, sc in each sc to end.

Repeat row 2 three more times.

MAIN PATTERN

Row 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in first sc, [sk 2 sc, shell in next sc] to end. (7 shells)

Row 2: Sl st in first dc, sl st in next dc, ch 4, dc in same dc, [sk 2 dc, Vst in next dc] to end. (7 Vst)

Row 3: Sl st in first dc, sl st in ch-sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-sp, [shell in next ch-sp] 6 times, shell in tc.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until cowl measures 24 inches (61 cm) or desired length, ending with row 3.

EDGING

Row 1: Ch 4, sk first dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] 10 times, ch 1, dc in tc. (11 ch-sp)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first dc, [ch 2, Puff3 in same dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc] 4 times, ch 2, Puff3 in same dc, ch 1, sc in tc.

FINISHING

Break and fasten off yarn.

Weave in ends.

Block cowl.

Sew buttons onto buttonband using the chain spaces on row 1 of edging as buttonholes.

A note about the buttons ... these are ceramic buttons from Kaminski Pottery in British Columbia, Canada. They are beautiful and so unique. You can find her on Instagram here.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer:

This post may contain affiliate links.
When you purchase something using these links a small amount of the sales price goes to me to help keep this site, and the patterns on it free. You do not pay any extra for any item you purchase.  

What's New?

I had a wonderful summer ... the weather was so warm and sunny and my family took a vacation to Europe. So much to see in Italy, I can't wait to go back and spend more time in Rome. It's now November and reality is setting in that Thanksgiving (here in the USA) is next week and Christmas will follow quickly on it's heals. 

I've been busy creating new designs for you to knit and crochet over the last few months.

Yorkshire Throw is a crocheted blanket available from I Like Crochet, an online magazine with many wonderful designs available every 2 months. There's a yearly subscription fee, but you get so many patterns and articles for that small price.

Yorkshire Throw from I Like Crochet

 This blanket is worked with Cascade 220 100% wool yarn in colors Yakima Heather (11 balls) and Antiqued Heather (3 balls) using hook size 7 (4.5mm).

Pattypan is part of a collaboration of talented designers and available exclusively on Ravelry through Stranded Magazine. 

©Andi Satterlund -  Pattypan

The asymmetrical pattern of Pattypan is inspired by the spokes of a ferris wheel. The intricate stitch pattern is balanced by stockinette stitch making this sport-weight cardigan the ideal combination of simple and complex knitting.


Finally, just released this week, is Grand Forks Pullover. Available in Interweave Knits Winter 2018 magazine on the Interweave website or through your local yarn store.

©Harper Point Photography - Grand Forks Pullover

This stranded colorwork pullover is worked with 3 colors of Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair and US8 (5.0mm) needles, top down and in the round. 

And one last note .... the 5th annual Indie Design Gift-A-Long starts on November 21st at 8pm EST. I'm participating again this year and I hope you will join all the very talented designers for heaps of friendly chatter, hundreds of prizes, and beautiful projects. Find out more on Ravelry.

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

5 Tips for Choosing Yarn Colours

If you are planning on knitting/crocheting a garment or accessory that uses more than one colour of yarn, how do you go about choosing which colours go together? I find it much easier to choose if there are only two colurs in my project. Complicated fair-isle or stranded colourwork patterns can seem very daunting unless you work with the exact colours used in the sample.

Here are some tips to help you choose yarn for your next stranded colourwork project.

1. Use a colour wheel

One way to choose colours is to use a colour wheel. On the wheel you can choose whether you want bright, paste., or a more grey colour palette (shade, tint, tone).

Use a colour wheel

Once you've decided on shade, tint, or tone, choose the colour combination you would like. Often technical words like complementary, split-complementary, analogous, and triadic are used when choosing colours. You can use these methods for color choice (and I think it's good to know what they mean), but there's an easier way to choose.


2. Use your favourite shirt

I really like to use fabrics to choose colours. Someone has already done the hard work for me and I can choose fabrics that appeal to me.

Use fabric to choose yarn colours

Take a look at your clothing. I'm sure you have a favourite patterned shirt or skirt. What colours are in it? Can you seehow they work together?

The next time you are out shopping, be sure to look at the patterns and colours of the clothes you like. Maybe even take a few photos to analyze later when you are stuck on which colours of yarn to combine.

Use photos from pinterest

Alternately, look online (specifically pinterest) for those colour charts where the colours are taken out of a picture and combined for you. Harrisville yarn company does a fantastic job at this.


3. Add some drama

Colours on opposite sides of the wheel are complimentary and often cause drama or tension in you project. Choosing two colours that have one colour separating them (like green and blue) and then adding in their compliment (red-orange) makes for an exciting knitting garment. This is called split-complimentary. 

Add a pop of colour

This fair isle sweater is a good example with green, blue and white as the main colours and peachy/pink which is opposite on the colour wheel from the green and blue. Adds just a bit of pop to the design.


4. Vary the values

Vary the values of the colours you choose. If you use all dark colours they just blend together and the pattern doesn't stand out. By choosing a light, medium, and dark colour you are really able to see the 3 colours of yarn work together to make a pattern. You can also add white and/or black to the colour mix.

Vary the values

5. Take a black and white photo

Finally, to see if you have enough contrast between your yarns, take a photo and convert it to black and white. If all the yarns are a similar shade of grey you know that the yarn choice needs to be altered a bit. Try adding a darker or lighter yarn and retake the photo.

Use a black and white photo

In the photo to the right, the teal and peach yarns are similar in shade (as seen in the black and white photo). They work in this design though because they are opposite in colour. That is, they are complimentary or opposite on the colour wheel.

If you are looking for a small knit project to try out these tips you can check out my Stranded Flower Hat knitting pattern.

Stranded Flower Hat knit pattern

Or a crochet pattern to try could be Falling Leaves Baby Blanket which uses 4 colours of yarn.

Falling Leaves Baby Blanket

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Charlestown Pullover

Photography @harperpointadventures | Stylist @tinamgill | Hair/Makeup @janierocek

This is my latest design ...

Charlestown Pullover published in Interweave Knits Spring 2017. 

Are you feeling adventurous in your knitting? Looking for a challenge? This highly textured pullover will provide the knitter with a challenge of multiple cables and textures being worked on the body and sleeves. Features include saddle shoulder, twisted stitches, cables, and is worked top down.

Photography @harperpointadventures | Stylist @tinamgill | Hair/Makeup @janierocek

Starting at the shoulders, two saddles are worked, stitches are picked up on either side of saddles and front/back are worked downwards to the hem. Stitches are picked up around the arm scythe and the sleeve is also worked downward to the cuff.

A few tips ....

* To help keep track of where each pattern starts and stops, place a marker between each chart. Any mistakes can be easily caught before working to the end of the row or round.

* Make a note of which row you've started the front neck shaping and also the armhole shaping. Then the charts will match correctly when the fronts and back are joined in the round.

Find a tutorial for this stitch in this blog post

Charlestown Pullover ~ Interweave Knits Spring 2017

Charlestown Pullover ~ Interweave Knits Spring 2017

Happy Knitting!

5 Reasons to Join I Like Crochet

Have you looked at the I Like Crochet online magazine? It's packed full of crochet patterns for everything under the sun. 

© Prime Publishing LLC

Here are five reasons why you should go check them out ...

1. Six issues are published every year. Approximately 190 projects and 42 tutorials yearly. That's a lot of content for one magazine. 

2. Each issue has at least 30 projects and 7 tutorials. From beginner to advanced, home, baby, garments, accessories, there's something for everyone in each issue. The latest issue is February 2016.

3. Back issues are available once you have a subscription. This magazine started in April 2014 and you have access to all those patterns too. 

4. Famous designers have published patterns that are available to you. You can find patterns by Dora Ohrenstein, Roseanna Beck, Amy Gunderson, Darleen Hopkins, and so many more.

5. My designs are available there. 

© Prime Publishing LLC

What's holding you back? Head over the I Like Crochet and check them out. I know you won't be disappointed!

Happy Crocheting!

Gift-A-Long 2016

It's starting ... this years gift-a-long on Ravelry and it's something I look forward to at the end of each year. So many indie designers come together for a fun time connecting with our customers through knitting and crochet. And of course there's the SALE and PRIZES that are an incentive for you to join us!

20 of my Patterns on SALE with CODE giftalong2016

What is the Indie Design Gift-A-Long? 

It’s prepping for the holidays as only fiber folks can, with special deals from tons of indie designers!

The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 6 week long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by hundreds of independent designers. From November 22nd at 8pm (US-EST) through November 30th at 11:59 pm (US-EST) these indie designers will be discounting between 5 - 20 of their patterns 25% for this event.

There are eight KAL/CALs to participate in, prizes of all sorts given out, games, and generally a lot of fun! The Gift-A-Long KAL/CALs will run from November 22nd at 8pm US EST through - December 31, 2016 at 11:59pm US EST. All patterns by the participating designers are eligible for the KAL/CALs and all not-free patterns by the participating designers are eligible to win prizes.

Which Designers are participating? 

There's a list of participating designers with photos here. 
My discounted patterns can be found here.

How do I get the discount?

Just purchase the patterns you want directly from the designers' Ravelry shops between 8pm US EST on Tuesday, November 22nd and 11:59 pm on Friday, November 30th. Put them in your cart and enter the COUPON CODE giftalong2016 at checkout and 25% will be automatically taken off the total price.

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Two New Hats

September has been a busy month for me ... Not only organizing my 2 teenagers to get them ready to go back to college, but also on the knitting front.

Two new hat patterns are available on Ravelry and Love Knitting websites.

First up is Strolling Hat ... a pretty leaf and cable pattern is worked on this slouchy hat. I used cashmere fingering weight yarn so the hat is super soft. My daughter stole it from me already!

Strolling Hat

This is Burghal Hat .... I used to do a lot of quilting and still do a bit of sewing occasionally, but knitting has taken over my life. I saw this beautiful, modern quilt and thought it would make a bold knit hat. Worked in 4 colours of fingering weight yarn, I used Blacker Yarns 4ply Classic for this version. Head over to Ravelry to see the colours two of my testers used.  

Burgal Hat

Happy Knitting!

Cascade Yarns Anthem

I have another design accepted into the I Like Crochet online magazine for February 2017. Yeah!! It's a throw/lap blanket worked with 3 colors of worsted weight yarn. This time around I chose Cascade Yarns newer offering, Anthem. It's 100% acrylic so perfect for baby and kids stuff. 

Nature has the best colour palettes 

Cascade Yarns Anthem; 100% Acrylic; 186 yards [170 meters]/100 grams

Comes in 33 beautiful colours and it's soft and definitely not acrylic like. No squeaking on the hook when I use it.

Size I/9 (5.5mm) hook makes a nice drapy fabric. I'm getting 13 double crochets in 4 inches.

Cascade Yarns Anthem

Colours are Emerald 032, Cockatoo 033, and Apricot Blush 001.

I'll let you know how it washes up, but I'm thinking it will look just like it does before washing.

Don't forget to sign up for your subscription to I Like Crochet which is on sale from August 29th through September 4th for $19.97. 

I Like Crochet

For that price you get 6 issues (one year) with at least 30 patterns per issue and all the back issues (16 of them). That's a lot of patterns for $19.97.

Happy Crocheting!

Vacation

With July half over and August not too far away, vacation time in the northern hemisphere is well underway for most of us. Maybe this sums it up for you ....
Do you take a knitting or crochet project with you on vacation? Do you get much time to work on it?

I usually have lofty ideas of sitting on the beach for hours on end working on my knitting and bring a huge bagful of yarn/needles just in case. Of course when it comes right down to it, I don't get much time at all. I come home with only a fraction of what I had intended to complete.

Where is your favourite place to vacation?

I love the beach ... any beach ... though here in the pacific northwest even the beach in summer is not warm. We recently went to Seaside, Oregon for the first time. It is a beautiful little community with a 3 mile boardwalk along the beach. Perfect for strolling and looking at all the beautiful gardens (maybe dreaming of living here).

Cannon Beach, Oregon is only 20 minutes away and there is a little yarn shop called Coastal Yarns. Lots of gorgeous yarn and some locally dyed skeins as well. Of course I picked up a skein of sock yarn (S)

And crepes (gluten/dairy free options) ....

A wonderful vacation for us ... but now back to reality!

Hope you all have a great summer and some good knitting/crocheting time!

Yarn Weight Frustrations

I've had this frustration for a while now, but most recently with my latest cardigan design. Yarn labels that don't correctly label a yarn as the correct weight. What do I mean ....

Gorgeous Hazel Knits Lively DK in Frost

Here's a couple of examples:

Cascade 220 has 220 yards in 100g and is listed as worsted weight

Hazel Knits Lively DK has 275 yards in 130g and is listed as DK weight

Louet Gems Fingering weight has 185 yards in 50g and is listed as fingering weight

Quince & Co. Chickadee has 181 yards in 50g and is listed as sport weight

How do you then successfully substitute yarns in a pattern if the weights are all over the place?

Crafty Yarn Council yarn weight chart

You could look at this yarn weight chart found on the Crafty Yarn Council's website which looks a bit daunting to me or you could just go by the yards (or meters if you like metric) in a 50g ball.

Another example .... I used Hazel Knits DK Lively yarn which mentioned about has 275 yards in 130g. Doing the math this works out to be (275/130*50) 105 yards in 50g.

When substituting I look for something similar like maybe Cascade 220 which has 110 yards in 50g or Madelinetosh Vintage which has 100 yards in 50g or even Jo Sharp's Classic DK Wool with 107 yards in 50g. 

To me, looking at yards to figure out a substitution is much easier than looking at other options like stitches per inch or the yarn companies weight designation.

My latest knitting pattern, Strolling Cardigan can be purchased on Ravelry.

Strolling Cardigan Photo © KLM Photography

Happy Knitting!

Gift-A-Long 2015

Are you participating in the Indie (Independent) Designer Gift-A-Long this year? Do you even know what that is?

What is the GAL all about?

It’s prepping for the holidays as only fiber folks can, with special deals from tons of indie designers!

The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 6 week long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by 335 independent designers. Starting November 19th at 8pm (US-EST) through November 27th at 11:59 pm (US-EST) these 335 indie designers will be discounting between 5 - 20 of their patterns 25% off sale for this event.

But it's more than just a sale ... there are over 15,000 prizes of all sorts given out, games, and generally a lot of fun! The Gift-A-Long KAL/CALs will run from November 19 at 8pm US EST through - December 31, 2015 at 11:59pm US EST. 

This graphic is a great summary of what is happening over on Ravelry.

It's almost time, so head on over to Ravelry to find out more and join in the fun!

And if you're looking for the list of participating knit and crochet designers you can find a summary of all 335 of us here ... GAL Designers.

Left Over Sock Yarn

If you like to knit socks as much as I do, you end up with lots of odd sized balls of sock yarn left over. Not enough to make another pair of socks but too much to give away.

Take a look at Over Left Socks. 

Over Left Socks

These socks are worked cuff down with 5 colors of yarn in a slipped stitch pattern. No working with multiple yarns at a time like stranded colorwork does. 

And it's fun to try out different colour combinations of yarn.

Have a look at the colours others have used on the project page.

Happy Knitting!