Gin Thistle by Thea Colman

Gin Thistle

Knitting
January 2017
Bulky (7 wpi) ?
14 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches
in Gauge given in cable pattern.
US 10½ - 6.5 mm
280 yards (256 m)
Finished cowl is 11"/28cm deep x 42.5"/108cm around.
English
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Jill’s new Brunswick yarn is big and bold and rustic, with a gorgeous halo. This time she’s sourced Corriedale from farms in both Maine and NY, and the mohair comes from her Mom’s own goats (how charming is that??) The result is a gorgeous, sheepy fiber that’s sure to turn heads. A beautiful statement yarn like this one needed to be a hard-to-ignore accessory, so I went with a cowl.

The size I chose is meant to be worn long in front, or over your coat, rather than doubled at the neck or hidden beneath a layer. Around the cowl, simple cables cross back and forth to create distinct diamonds, worked upwards in a long panel. At each end, the panel is then framed and accented with a couple more cables.

I played with the ribbing transition on top and bottom, as I love to do, but overall this is a simple, quick knit with just a few things to keep track of. However, those things are all bold and geometric, designed to remain visible in whatever beautiful colors Jill might be cooking up.

Modifying this for either length or width is simple, and instructions are given in the pattern.

And once again, thank you to my lovely and talented friend Misa, craftivore, who was game to model in an actual blizzard in downtown Boston after a drink or two. We had to venture out in some biting wind and crazy cold temperatures that froze my fingers on the camera, but she swears the cowl kept her cozy.