The rounded, undulating branches of the lace might remind you of seaweed or sanddunes. For a desert girl like me, they remind me of manzanita: smooth, flowing branches, rounded leaves, and delicate berries.
It's knit on a Size 7 (4.5mm) circular needle in about 140 yards of worsted-weight yarn. For the pattern, I used one skein of a beautifully soft, naturally-dyed, organic merino yarn (Fleece Artist Lanica in "Blueberry"). I think it would knit up beautifully in Malabrigo, which is also a soft, single-spun yarn.
To test the pattern, I whipped up a version in Noro Silk Garden, a silk/mohair/wool blend. It was so fast to knit -- only about 4 hours total -- that I just about finished it during a day out rock climbing.
The Silk Garden is a little shorter on yardage (110 yards), so I shortened it by half a repeat of the lace pattern. It's an easily adjustable pattern this way; the original is 19" around and 9" deep, but you can easily make it shorter/longer/narrower/wider by adjusting the number of lace repeats.
The pattern is written up with both line-by-line and charted directions. If you'd like a copy, it's available for purchase for $5 on Ravelry and my Etsy shop, or you can drop me a line (evergreenknits[at]gmail[dot]com) to buy it from me directly.
You can also win a copy by leaving me a comment on this post! I am ever so grateful for my readers (old and new) and I'd like to thank you by giving away free patterns. Just leave me a comment here to enter, and I'll draw six names for Manzanita Cowl pattern at the end of the week (Friday, February 12, 2010).
Such a gorgeous pattern - I love how you made different options for each of the yarns! Off to queue it on rav! =)
ReplyDeleteGreat pattern! I really really appreciated your comment on my blog. Thank you so much. I responded to everybody there in the comments...since I think maybe I can continue to boost education on illegal piracy through the comments. In the meanwhile, thanks for being so kind and helping me remember that the majority of folks are wonderful. I'm grateful!
ReplyDeleteLove this pattern! It is beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteI love the stuff you knit, sadly I am not one who can knit, but my sister in law knits beautifully, so if you draw me, I shall pass on your pattern with pleasure to her
ReplyDeletethank you
They are both absolutely gorgeous! I love quick knits and single skein projects. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the cowl, especially since it's a reminder of the desert. I imagine it can come in handy most anytime you need just an extra bit of warmth around the neck. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThat is just lovely
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous. I've followed your blog for a bit now. This cowl is a great pattern! :-) I live in the Pacific NW so this would keep me nice and warm from the rain.
ReplyDeleteOh, those are lovely! I love the lines and the way everything flows together so nicely.
ReplyDeletejust knitting my first lace cowl and would love to win your pattern!
ReplyDeletecame out gorgeous! as much as i luv green i think the silk is even more gorgeous..and still has green!!
ReplyDeleteLooks so pretty- especially in the original green.
ReplyDeleteI've been on a cowl-kick lately, and I'm adding your lovely design to my queue!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pattern, I like how you fit the bobbles in to the spaces along the bottom. It's great to see a cowl design that's sculptural instead of a tube. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI love this cowl pattern. I have several skeins of one skein of yarn. I like patterns that only uses 1 skein.
ReplyDeleteLovely pattern! Normally bobbles make me go "Gah!" just thinking about knitting them, but those are the perfect touch. (And not many of them, either. Very do-able.)
ReplyDelete(My verification word is 'unterse' - does that mean I should have babbled more?)
Wow...that is a beautiful cowl. I haven't made any yet. I'll have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! I'm always in awe of designers. I am not very creative and will likely follow patterns forever. Thanks for offering good patterns to follow!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful cowl! I love the motif and the delicacy of the garment. I have some sock yarn (hand-dyed by me) that might work up beautifully in the pattern, should I be one of the lucky winners.
ReplyDeleteThis may top the list for my first cowl - of course I still need to finish a rivendell...
ReplyDeletebeautiful colours in both the yarns - would love to win a copy.
I just love the pattern, you are so very talented,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to stop by and say thank you. I am knitting the shawlette you designed and love it. Thank you for sharing. I found it on Ravelry. The cowl looks very interesting. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely cowl--the different colors completely redefine the pattern.
ReplyDeletePretty! I like how it sits.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be entered in the contest--what a gorgeous pattern!
ReplyDeleteYour patterns are lovely. I am just learning to knit and would love to be a lucky winner!
ReplyDeleteHanna
ReplyDeleteI love it!! actually both of them!! even though i wouldn't be able to wear it here I would be honored and love to win a copy:-)
see you tonite:-)
karola
eyeknit4u58 ravelry
I'm trying to knit from my stash as much as possible and quick, single skein patterns are turning out to be my favorites. This is really lovely.
ReplyDeleteI love the cowl.... it has such aa breath of spring to it.....
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Job! I wish I could knit half as fast as you! I am always impressed and jealous of your work!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely pattern that would knit up to be a cozy but stylish cowl!
ReplyDeleteI love Manzanita, besides being a tasty snack when out hiking or wandering around the back yard, the bark and wood is so smooth and nice to work with. My father dabbled in carving as a young man and has several carved items from Mananita wood (I believe its protected now). I live in Alaska now but I miss the desert so much having grown up in San Diego. I remember the larges grove I saw in Julian (umm apple pie)it takes me back. I will have to visit your etsy so that I can get a copy. It will remind me of home while keeping me warm so far away.
ReplyDeleteWonderful; I love especially the first one! You look gorgious there and the shawl is awsome!
ReplyDeleteBora from Switzerland