Showing posts with label NeckGaiter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NeckGaiter. Show all posts

Monday, November 15, 2010

Presenting Chainmaille, a Crocheted Cowl-Scarf-Neckwarmer

I so love this stitch pattern—how chic in a luxe metallic-looking alpaca yarn!
Feels like liquid chain mail.

I have just released “Chainmaille Cowl, Neckwarmer, & Men's Long Scarf”. Pattern includes these 3 project types plus information for customizing. Download the pdf crochet pattern:

https://designingvashti.com/product/chainmaille-cowl-mens-scarf/

Like all of my crochet patterns, this one includes an exclusive link to a photo album of alternate views, swatches, close ups, etc. A few of the photos are visible to anyone here

Click the album link from within the pattern, and yeah baby: max pics with more added as they happen. Forever.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Photographing Crochet Cowls

I never hear a peep from my mannequin, Lindsay, no matter how long she has to stand there while I drape crochet on her every which way. OK yes, she doesn't have a head, but I think I would know if she grew restless. I'm sure it helps that whenever I make myself a mocha, I make one for her too.

If you haven't tried it (mochas and draping cowls on a patient mannequin), it's worth it! I see new ways to wrap stitches around a neck and shoulders, and new places to put a button or shawl pin. Like with the one shown here, I wonder about a toggle or two? Or short ribbon ties, or a buckling-latching thing?

Let's "face" it, headless models are not ideal for photographing cowls, so I try to be creative, learning something daily about this kind of accessory.

For example, today I tried dressing the mannequin in a black silk camisole--the opposite of a heavy winter coat, then tried different kinds of cowls on her.

The crochet cowl experiment you see here is all about the stitch. It's a deliciously spongy double-faced pattern I came up with on my own. In pure bulky wool and a big hook it's nearly an inch thick!! It's one full 3.5oz/100g skein of Patons Classic Wool Roving (Bulky weight, 120yd/109m). It calls for a USJ/10/6mm crochet hook and I used an M/9mm. I wish I'd gotten a few more rows out of that skein, but it does fit as a 'gaiter'-type cowl more than one way.

The yarn is vivid Christmas red, which caused my camera to blur the stitches no matter what I did. I had to cool off the red with editing tools just to see the stitches! Then I played around some more to get the version you see here.


Please please leave comments if you have any tips, feedback, commiserating about photographing crochet cowls! It just isn't like photographing other crochet projects.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Happenings in the World of Crochet Cowls

I's great having this new blog up and running because crochet cowls are popping up everywhere. This is the perfect time to get inspired and whip up a stack of them!

Check out the latest cowl patterns in Crochet! magazine: http://crochetmagazine.com/inthisissue.php 
This issue has THREE cowls, each one a different style.

Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby designed two of the three: "La Commedie Neck Wrap" is close-fitting and "Non-Stick Lace Cowl" is a long "infinity scarf" or "eternity scarf."

I love how the offset rows and color contrast add big drama to the quick little "La Commedie." According to the magazine, the "non-stick" in the lace cowl name refers to the way the broomstick lace stitch is worked without the stick and without dropping loops off the hook. Intriguing!!

The third is the "Sporty Neck Warmer" designed by Rommyna de Leeuw: