My (second and very necessary) Dolores Park Cowl

Do you know how hard it is to take a photo of a cowl? Especially when you are too lazy to get the tripod and remote out?  22 blurry photos yesterday and 5 blurrier ones today got me this, which isn't even good.  Take my word for it, if you attempt this, have someone else take the photo or suck it up and get the tripod.  But I digress.

This cowl.  I love it.  Theresa gifted one to me as part of a swap two years ago and for the last two winters, I have worn it a ton.  Normally, I wouldn't think to make myself a second one, but I have realized that having a dog is going to require me to have two of almost all warm weather accessories.  Let me explain.  We enter and exit our house from the garage, which is down the stairs from the kitchen and is adjacent to our mudroom.  All coats get hung on hooks or in a small closet down there, shoes are left by the door and the mitts, hats, scarves, etc. have their place, too.  Super convenient. When the dog and I go for our twice daily walks, we go out the front door.  Not a big deal in the summer when I can throw a pair of flip flops on and off we go.  But as the mornings have gotten colder, I find myself leaving a pair of shoes by the front door for dog walking.  And it follows, of course, that I'll need to have other things like a second cowl at the ready, too.  Right?

Believe me, I know this reasoning is a stretch.  But work with me here.

I knit this up in a few hours between music lessons, waiting rooms and carpool lines.  I used Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky that I got at Purl last month. The yarn is to die for. So super soft and very light weight.  It took less than one skein.  I followed the pattern exactly with the exception that I knit it on a 16" size 13 needle as 24" just seemed too long.  I didn't like how the increases (m1) left small holes so the next one will get a different increase (probably k9, kfb next stitch).  I haven't blocked it so those holes may relax - we'll see.  Regardless, it was a very satisfying and easy project.  You might want to knit one.

Or two.

Comments

[Grace]

I have cowls on the brain. I need to dress up my "uniform". :)

[sarah]

i could use one today. pouring rain and 60 degrees. that yarn sounds cozy and comfortable. nice erin.

[Emily S]

Lovely and so cozy!

[Lorrie]

Cowls are on my Christmas gifting list - this would knit up quickly. And it's beautiful. You definitely need two - one for each door!

[Allison]

I think if you knit into the front of an m1 (like you would a normal knit stitch) instead of the back, it doesn't leave the little hole.

[Molly]

I need to get my paws on some of that yarn. 'Tis one flippin' great blue.

[minnesota:madre]

I agree, beautiful color.
I've never worn a cowl. Maybe this winter is the year.

[peanut]

I love that yarn (in fact I'm wearing a hat made of it today). Soooooooo soft. A cowl would be heaven (and I love the simplicity of that pattern - it's now in my Ravelry queue).

[Suzanne]

I find no need to justify needing another cowl (or scarf or sweater, for that matter). Happy dog walking!

[blair]

I love it, and love how cozy the photo looks. I'm ready for cooler weather. I've always wanted to make one of these, if I can put down this crochet hook I just might.

[julianna smith]

That color looks gorgeous on you. So cozy and warm, too. Lovely work.

[Kara]

Oh! Dolores Park! That's my old neighborhood! I just moved from LITERALLY right there a couple of months ago, and haven't been back yet, sigh. As for dog gear, I also go for a double-leash system... the out-the-back-door leash and the go-for-a-real-walk leash, because heaven forbid I need to walk more than five steps to pick up a dog leash.

[jane]

love it! we have the same set up. Mudroom downstairs and a exit through the garage. But you would never know it by all the shoes and coats I find by the front and back doors!

[ramona]

oh
this looks like something I can do.
thanks for the link

[Plain and Joyful Living]

These are wonderful and now if I could just make time to make something for myself.....

[Patty]

It's beautiful! Apparently, my neck will be very warm this winter, as I went a little crazy this summer and knit 3 for myself! They are so easy to knit--simple stitches, in the round, etc.

[Mad]

I received my camera straps. LOVE them thanks!

[aprill]

that yarn looks so fantastic. and your reasoning for a second cowl makes perfect sense to me! :)

[Laura]

I made two of these cowls myself, last year. They are really cozy. But I'm OK with scratchy wool, and I used an Icelandic Alafoss lopi.

[leslie]

so funny to hear about your dog walking routine. i always use our back door which is odd b/c i have to go through the backyard around the house to get to the street. just what i started and now i am sticking to it! (don't want to confuse my sweet girl!)

it really is the perfect accessory . i need to get busy!