An enormously satisfying project! I am amazed that the random, all-over-the-place colors came together so well in the end.

I made random magic balls from the odds and ends of Shetland jumperweight yarn left over from workshops and projects. The fun (and anxiety) come from not knowing what will happen next!

I also used a medium value heathered red-violet between pattern rounds to keep some continuity given the wild array of colors I used.

I used the Steampunk version of the Inspira Cowl pattern.

Final gauge: 5 stitches per inch.
Final size: 40” diameter at bottom; 28” at top. (The designer’s gauge of 27 stitches per 4” won’t result in a 38” diameter.)

I did the decrease round differently: K4 K2tog around. This allowed me to keep the pattern. The next pattern round went P2 K3; then K2 P3; then the final pattern round went P2 K3. This change in pattern is surprisingly unnoticeable.