Walking along a pacific coast beach. Listening to the sea birds chatter. Watching the deep blue waves churning and breaking on the sand. Glancing further out and watching the rhythmic movement of the gently chopping sea. It’s wide-open loveliness and serenity.

Louise is inspired by my mother-in-law who loved the ocean, Aran sweaters and the blackberry stitch pattern. Louise didn’t knit but admired that I did. I remember her talking about knitwear and this stitch, which was common in Aran sweaters. I wasn’t skilled enough to knit a blackberry stitch at the time, but it was always in the back of my mind as something she loved. As I got better with my skills, I decided to honor her memory with this design. Louise – a cozy hug for a walk on the beach.

Suitable for advanced beginning and intermediate knitters, Louise is a chunky knitted cowl in options for short and long. The cowl features the blackberry stitch on the main body of the cowl with 2x2 ribbing as the border on each end. The rib border ends are meant to overlap and close with either a clasp or pin of the knitter’s choice.

Louise is one of nine designs in The Sun and Fog Collection, a collaboration of knit and crochet patterns by Bay Area designers and dyers celebrating community and togetherness from the foggy shores to the sunny valleys of Northern California. I am thrilled to be part of this collaboration with so many wonderful designers and dyers.

My dyer partner in this venture is the wonderful Kelley of the Royal Bee Yarn Company based in Pacifica, CA. What a joy it has been to collaborate with The Royal Bee. Their yarns are so unique and beautiful. As are their spirits. Getting to know Kelley has just lifted me up. Thank you for allowing me to design with your lovely yarn.