Bringing some light to the Darkside

A couple weeks ago, my hometown's LYS hosted a "For the Love of Stitches" sale. They do not participate in Stitches, but instead mark all their inventory down at least 25% for the weekend of the expo. Needless to say, there were deals to be had! I picked up a couple skeins of Berroco Naturlin, and my sister picked up two skeins of Malabrigo that immediately came home with me to fulfill their accessory fate. A funny thing happened at the sale-- a woman giving a spinning demo overheard me telling my mom that I was an accessory knitter, not a sweater knitter as we examined a gorgeous sample sweater. The woman was overjoyed to hear that language. She too, felt she was an accessory knitter and not a sweater knitter, but found that there is much "pressure" in the knitting world to knit sweaters, as if its the mark of a true knitter. Fiddlesticks! I am so happy to have realized I do not totally love sweater knitting, and that I much prefer some choice accessory knitting.

And now on to the main attraction-- accessories!



FO: Brightside Darkside
Pattern: Darkside Cowl by Sarah Fama
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Pollen (I think about 1/2 the skein)
Needles: Size 7 bamboo DPNs

Here I am on a very blustery evening, sporting a slightly smaller than I would like Cowl. If I had it to do over, which I suppose, I do, I would go up 1 or 2 needle sizes. The BO edge is tight! The cowl looks better with a coat than with this open sweater I am wearing here. I do like the pattern though, very simple and intuitive. I like the geometric theme, and I think my sister will enjoy it.


FO: Misti Cowl
Pattern: Cassie's Cowl by Thea Coleman
Yarn: Unidentified ancient skein of soft wool. I think its Misti Alpaca chunky.
Needles: US 11 Bamboo straights



After I finished this delightfully soft cowl, I put it on and decided it was way too droopy. I took it off and decided it looked like a dried up sea urchin. Instant solution-- add an awesome button. Controls the floppiness and the similarity to an urchin shell.



Spring is here!


And a slouchy hat is underway for the little sister, also in the glorious Malabrigo worsted merino.