on birthdays and giving

On my birthday this year, I found myself writing a pattern and knitting it up.  I needed to knit a cowl for a new friend.  Hopefully it has found its way to her.  I liked knitting this cowl, and the pattern is a pretty easy one.  Also, I think anything knit in Malabrigo is pretty much destined to be awesome, because, let's be honest here, it's Malabrigo, people.

 

Spending my birthday doing something for someone else made me feel all cheery and cozy, kind of like I am hoping the cowl will make the recipient feel.

I get cheery about knits and all, but you know, there is also that pie thing, and it's Wednesday...

I made another recipe from Sweety Pies.  Rice pie.  I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either.  I shared it with my co-workers and they all thought it was pretty amazing.  Rice, it's a celebratory thing, right?

So my birthday celebration is all wrapped up. I had fun celebrating, of course.  I love gift-getting and everything, but I think gift-giving may be even better.  So for my birthday, I am giving you a gift (if you want it).  I am putting up the pattern for the cowl so you too can keep cozy when it's cool (which may not be at this particular moment depending on your location, but there you are).  Or maybe you just want to be cool, since "cowl is the new scarf" and everything.  Join the bandwagon!

It's my first pattern ever, so be nice!

Download birthday_cowl.pdf

ETA: I got word that some may have difficulty downloading the pdf, so here is the write-up:

 

Finished Size: 9.5” x 21”

 

Gauge: 5 stitches = 1” in the stitch pattern.

 

Yarn:  Malabrigo is suggested (though anyworsted-weight yarn should work; but try and select

something soft and cozy.  The colorway shown here is Bobby Blue.

 

Needles: US 8/5 mm, 16” circular

 

Extra notions: Tapestry needle, Place marker

 

Stitch Pattern: The stitch pattern is a bias rib called Barley Sugar.  The pattern is an eleven stitch repeat worked in 2 rounds:

Round1: *sl1, k1, psso, k6, yo, k3* repeat to the the end of the round.

Round 2: k (till the end of the round).

             

            sl = slip

            k = knit

            psso = pass slipped stitch over

            yo = yarnover

 

Instructions:

Cast on 99 stitches. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.  Join and work 3 rounds of garter stitch (purl the first row, knit the second, purl the the third).  Begin working the Barley Sugar pattern until your cowl measures 9 inches (for a shorter scarf, knit to 6” for longer go to 10-12”).  Work three rounds of garter stitch as youdid at the beginning (p, k, p).  Bind off loosely.  Weave in your ends (there should only be two). Block your cowl.  Celebrate!

Comments

[Elinor]

What a great first pattern! I think it looks beautiful. I hope it is a huge hit chez Specs.

[Liane]

Oh wow I just LOVE that color!! It's beautiful!
Liane

[Nora]

Beautiful pattern N, thank you! [Off to queue it on Ravelry.]

[Jessie]

Thanks, Nova! Well done on the first pattern.

[earthchick]

Your cowl is super - and how generous of you to share! Love the color you chose.

Hope you had a fabulous birthday week!

[stacey]

since my birthday is today, i think i need to carry on this tradition and knit one tonight!!! it's beautiful! happy belated birthday!!!

i think i'd leave the filling of that pie for hubby and eat the crust - a perfect pie for us!

[Mandy]

Great pattern! Thanks for sharing it! And I don't think I said it, but I was surely thinking it...Happy Birthday!!

[Kirsten]

Beautiful Nova! Thanks for the pattern.

[Liz K.]

Sooo pretty! I bought a buncha cowl yarn at MDSW and just have to clear the current project before I start cowling like all the cool kids.

[lolly]

Very excited to see a new and beautiful cowl pattern! I love the simple nature of this one.
So... did you get a loom for your birthday! do tell!

[Opal]

Beautiful cowl! Thanks for the pattern. And Happy Belated Birthday! :-D

[Specs]

It *is* for me! I hoped so when I saw it on your flickr page. It looks just beautiful!

And Happy Birthday! Hope your back is feeling better.

(I'm going to go sit beside the door until the mail gets here.)

[Joansie]

I love the cowl and thanks for sharing the pattern. Great job!

[kathy]

You're awesome, as always!! I knew you'd be writing patterns soon and this is an awesome first edition.

[diana]

Already in my ravelry queue!

[katie]

i love the way this came out. after seeing all of these cowls i am getting the fever,and I may have to try your pattern!

[rebecca]

i've been wanting that cookbook. whether it tasted great, or not, it LOOKS yummy! hooray for rice pie.

[Kathy Sue]

Congrats on the beautiful pattern! You have courage to put it out there for everyone to see.

[caitlyn]

Thank you for sharing the pattern! It looks great and I can't wait to knit one up.

[sixoneseven]

I find it funny that we're all running cowl fever just as the weather's turning *warmer*! Yours is a lovely pattern, and while I am trying to practice some project monogamy for now, I'll definitely bookmark it for later.

Also, is that a handknit cardigan, too?

[tiennie]

Thanks for sharing the birthday cowl! It's very pretty!

[schrodinger]

Happy belated birthday. Great cowl.

[Deborah Bourque]

Belated Happy Birthday to you! My B-day is the 31st so I will knit this up for me as my B-day gift. Thank you!

[Oiyi]

Beautiful cowl! That pie does look good.

[AJ]

Happy belated birthday! The cowl is very pretty and I love the blue Malabrigo you used.