When I finished my Exploration Station I had so much yarn left that I felt I needed to make a cowl. After I finished Zostera Marina Mitts I loved the lace pattern so much, I thought I would start the cowl with it. Started it on a whim not really sure about my cast on number of stitches, then I wasn’t sure how I felt about it so it lay dormant for over 2 years after I knit the orange section. I cast on 228 stitches with long tail cast on. In August 2017 I decided to pick it up and try out different stitch patterns to complete it. Had to use multiples of 4 or 12 to make it work. Didn’t think about that in the beginning…cast on enough to make the original lace work.

8/28/17 So it’s finished and blocked. I did manage to pretty much use up the yarn and that makes me happy! It’s 38” circumference and 15” wide. I’m not really sure as to the length/width being appropriate. You can see from the photos I have been trying different ways to style it. I was going to give this as a gift, but I’m afraid it might be too tricky to wear. It’s a little snug to double up, but I like the way it looks doubled.

Things I learned:

1) All my knitting experience does not give me design skills.
2) It would be better to have a plan in mind instead of making it up as you go. (Maybe I had one originally, but I put it aside too long to remember.)
3) My old school Susan Bates aluminum circular needle that I’ve had for probably 20 years was actually nice to knit with. I pulled it out so I didn’t tie up my “good” needles on an iffy project.
4) Cables were one of my first loves and I still love them.
5) I should have a stitch dictionary in my library.