The Fanfare Cowl

I am so thrilled to be able to share my cowl here, and be a part of the design team!

This cowl was designed for the UK magazine, Inside Crochet, issue #8.  It is made up of simple stitches, and finished up with a little surface crochet  to define the "pleats".  I think this detail is its crowning glory.  Surface crochet is one of my favorite crochet techniques, and I use it often in my designs and freeform work.  This pattern is a great introduction to this technique if you have never tried it.

It is a versatile pattern that could be used to make a belt, by adjusting the length and width of the cowl and the tie.  You could also weave satin ribbon or a skinny silk scarf through the cowl, instead of the crocheted tie, for an instant transformation to match a particular outfit.

Skill level:  Intermediate

(Written in US crochet terms)

MATERIALS:

Yarn:  Berroco Inca Gold, 80% 

merino wool, 20% silk, 50g/ 113m/ 

122yds, WPI 9. 

Color A: Verde Azulado, #6418 

(one skein). 

Color B: Purpura, #6409 (one 

skein). 

Hook size:  (G) 4mm, or size to 

obtain gauge. 


Price:  $2.95

The Transitional Mobius Cowl According to Doris Chan

Snow Day as Snood (Hood)

Snow Day as Loop Scarf

A Doris J. Chan Cowl

Ms. Doris caught the cowl-crocheting bug and check out the result: it's the perfect transitional neckwarmer-shoulderwarmer-snood/hood, as practical in a wintry cold snap as it is pleasurable during a Spring thaw. Read about her inspiration for it here.

True or False: Möbius?

Moebius geeks purists connoisseurs please note: it's a true möbius (deserving of the umlaut ö). 

Snow Day is the newest addition to DJC, the new indie crochet patterns designed by Doris Chan. She also has another pattern line just for girls called DJC2, and will be adding a new design in a week or two. I'm proud to be able to offer both of Doris' indie pattern lines at my own online shop for downloadable crochet pattern pdf's.


One of the things I personally like about Doris' style of pattern publishing is how she builds in a lot of choices and swatch results in fibers and yarn textures so that you can make informed choices about the yarn you use. 

Stay in the Doris Chan Loop

Snow Day as Mobius Wrap

Keep up with all new Doris Chan crochet pattern releases three ways: 


1. Check Doris' blog Everyday Crochet


2. Check in with her Ravelry group, Doris Chan: Everyday Crochet


3. Subscribe to the DesigningVashti Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, then sit back and wait for a new issue to arrive by email every month.

Snow Day shown in a Silk-Cotton-Rayon blend yarn

"Nine to Five" Convertible Crochet Cowl

Designer Janet Brani of OneLoopShy Designs emailed me in January to let me know of a crochet cowl pattern that's available as a FREE pdf download at her Ravelry store.

Some notable details about Janet's cowl are:

• A detachable buttoned tab of Tunisian knit stitch
• Pattern includes a crochet flower than can be buttoned onto the tab as optional embellishment (see third photo below)
• A two-hour one skein project using a US G crochet hook
• Yarn shown is Silky Wool by Elsebeth Lavold, which seems to be popular--several designers have used it lately. One skein has 192 yards (175 meters), in case you wish to substitute with yarn in your stash.

Janet Brani holds the copyright to all 3 images.

I'm just now getting back into the blogging swing of things, so be looking for more blog posts soon! Thanks for visiting -- Vashti

Some really COOL cowl wrapping ideas

I know this pattern is knitting, BUT  look at some of the really NEAT ideas they have to wear one of the longer cowls.  I really like the shrug look!

Here is the pattern