Brush Creek Cowlette from The Knitting Nest - Done!

Wavy wonderfulness!

Oh my.  This is lovely.  The weight, the way it lays across my collarbone, the wavy wonderfulness of it all.  You know you’ve hit a great pattern when you put it on and your first thought is all the color combinations you want to make next!

One word of caution:  Watch the upper edge!  Because I am picky about bumpy edges next to my skin, I did a selvege edge across the top, and that cost me a lot of elasticity where I need it most.  Had I left it according to the pattern, the neck hole would have been stretchier.  

As it was, I needed to do a lot of…persuading…to get the thing over my head.  I spent so much time heeding the instructions to “aggressively block” the lower edge to get the bell shape right that I probably didn’t get as “aggressive” with the top edge as I should have.

But isn’t it wonderful?  Don’t you want one?  Get yourself down to Austin and to The Knitting Nest and get one!  Thanks, Stacy, for a truly splendid outcome—well worth the effort!

Brush Creek Cowlette from The Knitting Nest - Day 5

You can’t ever tell a piece of lacework by its unblocked state.

Unblocked, this cowlette is a ripply, bubbly trio of colors.  There are hints to its final texture and shape, but they are mere clues to the weight and drape of the finished piece.  Much as I like the color combinations, I doubt I’d select this if it were on a boutique table—now.  It lays wrong, it crinkles up in places, and you really can’t see the patterns.

All that will change after this baby has had its bath.

This presents a fine opportunity to showcase one of my best knitter/parent repurposing tricks.  It’s one many  knitting mama’s (and likely daddy’s) know: the alphabet block foam puzzle. 

Sure it was fun when they were tykes—ours got a particularly good workout in the tub—but now it becomes a wonderfully flexible blocking surface for small projects.

I’ve got a huge cork board that serves as my blocking table for shawls and larger pieces, but there was no need to haul it out for this project.  It took me all of 30 seconds to squish together the correct shape—adding a few more squares as I went along—and tuck it next to my front windows for the best drying air.

There are manufacturers who figured out this use and created products that serve the same purpose, but I love that my kids’ toys have found a new life as a toy of my own.  

I might not ever give the toy version as a baby shower gift saying “I’ll be happy to take this off your hands in a few years,” but I might say “Let me teach you how to knit and these will come in handy in a new way one day.”

Brush Creek Cowlette from The Knitting Nest - Day 4

Yummy, yarny comfort...

Ah, the final color progression.  I can see my stitches so much more easily now.  While the repeat is still 17 stitches long, it doesn’t exactly match up with the earlier repeat, so I had to remove not just the center stitch marker but all my markers and reset them in row 80.  Only there’s a bitty shift that takes place in that row, so it took a bit of thinking and staring to make sure I’d gotten everything right (there’s another one of those shifts coming up in row 102 so I’ll be ready).  

Here’s a situation where charts and written directions show their differences.  I need to cope with that small shift from rows 80 and 102 if I’m looking at the chart, but it doesn’t really come into play if I’m knitting off the written directions.  This is why I love it when patterns give us both options—I often end up shifting back and forth between modes depending on which gives me a clearer understanding.  

The nice part about this section for me is that I can see the pattern and how its supposed to take shape, and that always makes for more confident stitching.  That lovely affirmation of “Oh, yes, that’s where that goes,” that feeds my creative appetite and lets me know I’ll like what I’ve made when it’s done. 

Sometimes—especially toward the end of a challenging project—it’s nice to know you’re on the right path.  Onward to the finish!

Speaking of finishes, this week SMALL-TOWN FIREMAN releases.  It's the final book in the Gordon Falls series—the one that has so many knitting characters.  This one has a nice bit of knitting in it, too.  It’s been a delight to introduce so many people to the Prayer Shawl ministry through these books.  When I think of all the yummy, yarny comfort I might have inspired, my heart swells with happiness.

Brush Creek Cowlette from The Knitting Nest - Day 3

Allierrata...

I can’t remember a project where I had to re-do so many rows.  The fault is definitely not with the pattern directions.  Every time, once I paid attention, I discovered that I hadn’t followed the directions, hadn’t counted correctly—pick your human error issue, I did it.

I generally have two responses when I find myself in these situations.  First, I get disgusted.  Not with the yarn or directions; with myself.  I consider myself a skilled knitter, and a skilled knitter should not make silly mistakes.  

Second, I wise up and go find the stitch markers.  Really, why does it take me a dozen rows to get to this second response?  There is no stigma associated with stitch markers.  Not one of you would look down on me for using stitch markers, would you?  Once I put them in, my whole knitting experience become more enjoyable.  I made almost no mistakes.  I didn’t have to peer at my stitches with a scowl on my face.  Why do I deny myself this knitting bliss?

Pride.  Stupid, dumb pride.  If I am honest with myself, I think I’m better than stitch markers.  But the honest truth is that I am better WITH stitch markers.

I am in love with the brilliant undulations of this cowl.  You could make it in a solid, but the color progression only enhances the best characteristics of this piece.  Take a strength and make it better—that’s the hallmark of a really stunning pattern.  I can hardly wait to add the third color next.

Brush Creek Cowlette from The Knitting Nest - Day 2

Color block and color progression…

Some days you can be really happy you have both charts and written directions to help you on your project.

Especially those days where you have to do row 59 three times in order to get it right.  It’s those times that you need the essential information that charts provide—mainly which stitches stack on others from the row below.  Then, and only then, can you see those two extra stitches in the third repeat that is messing everything up.  

I’m rather proud that I managed to find and correct my errant yarn-overs, even if it did take me three tries and my husband looked at me with one of those “isn’t that supposed to be fun?” glares when I started mumbling to myself.  When it’s me against the yarn--even beautiful yarn like this--I get really competitive.

In my defense, tiny dark stitches present many challenges.  While I’m sure I’m going to love the blue color progressions when it’s done, they are currently taxing my 50+ eyes.  The rolling ripples of blue remind me of my visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains one Thanksgiving—all that “purple mountains majesty” of patriotic song fame.  Very pretty.

And very assuring that this is going to be lovely when it’s done!

Brush Creek Cowlette from The Knitting Nest - Day 1

The round that starts flat...

By designer Carina Spencer’s definition, a “cowlette” is a cowl with the look of a shawlette when worn.  I like the idea that it will sit securely on my shoulders without the tricky pinning I find most shawlettes require.  The versatile hand-dyed superwash marino wool by Austin-local Bronotta Yarns gives this piece a seasonless quality perfect for warm-climate living.  The kit comes in several color selections, and I’ll be working with the blue-grey “Thunder Gradient” for mine.

While the whole project is worked top-down on a 20” circular needle, the first section (dark blue in my version) is worked flat at first.  Next, I’ll joined in the round now that I’ve reached the 44th row.  Spencer’s directions are nice and clear so there is no confusion.

It’s always a bit of a challenge to work with dark, fingering weight yarn, and I found myself shifting to better lighting and grabbing my reading glasses more than once.  Still, the long stretches of stockinette made even the tiny stitches go fast.  Besides, good quality wool like this always is a joy to stitch up no matter what the size.

AUSTIN TX - Day 3: Return to SoCo

On a wing and a doughnut...

Spend the morning seeing any of the typical downtown tourist attractions (go here for suggestions).  Come lunchtime, head back down south across the Congress Avenue Bridge (a structure with its own special charms, as we’ll discover later) to the South Congress neighborhood—otherwise known as SoCo—to finish our adventures.

Lunch Today is at:

Enteocca/Vespaia 

1610 S Congress Ave

Austin, TX 78704

512-441-7672

http://austinvespaio.com/enoteca/

“Charming” is an overused word for neighborhood restaurants like this, but the term genuinely applies to this elegant but casual bistro-cafe.  My sources recommended it as a great spot for cocktails—and very good upscale pizza—particularly the classic (not the collegiate) Margherita with fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and basil.  Our meal was very good, but the star for me were the amazing french fries.  Really—they were that good.  Get whatever you want, but make sure it comes with fries!

Big Top Candy

1706 S Congress Ave

Austin, TX 78704

512-462-2220

https://www.facebook.com/bigtopcandyshop

Time to bring your inner kid out to play.  Candies you’d forgotten you loved will bring up all kinds of sugar-coated memories in this place.   Candies that seem more toy than confection, a huge assortment of truffles, gummies of every description, and a generous portion of super-happy children make this store worth the trip even if you only walk out with a stick of gum.  But trust me, that ain’t gonna happen here. I won’t tell your dentist if you don’t tell mine.

Co-Star

1708 S. Congress Ave

Austin, TX 78704

512-912-7970

http://www.costarstyle.com/

I’ve been trying to switch my clothing purchases from mall chains to indie boutiques, but that can often be a pricey goal.  Stores like Co-Star, that offer goods at a variety of price points and even host a consignment rack, help soften the blow.  The staff was friendly, not at all snooty as can happen in trendy shops, and had a nice balance of men's and women's clothes, accessories, seriously cool hats (an Austin necessity, it seems), funky t-shirts, and unique gifts.

  

Monkey See Monkey Do

1712 S Congress Ave

Austin, TX 78704

512-443-4999

Toy shop?  Not really—it’s much more than that.  Gift shop?  No, that’s not quite it either.  They cite it as “toys, gifts, kitch”, but my favorite descriptions were “absurd trinkets” and “wacky gifts.”  Invariably, as I wander places like this, I find myself buying something weird that someone I know will absolutely love.  The world needs more bacon wallets, right?

Having eaten well and gotten your silly on, make the short drive farther south to our fiber fix for today:

The Knitting Nest

8708 South Congress

Austin TX  

512-291-8866

theknittingnestaustin.com

All knitting people are generally friendly, but some just shine in the hospitality department.  Ten minutes into a conversation with owner Stacy Klaus and her husband (who runs his insurance firm right next door), and I knew I made a new friend even before we talked about UT football.  

Okay, her adorable pair of Westie dogs Hank and Gracie (more about them later) charmed me as well, but it’s not hard to see how Stacy lures an impressive host of knitterati to visit her shop.  The Franklin Habit mural on her wall shows how much celebs love her store.

“This is a happy customer store.  I want to help knitters make the jump from box store stuff to quality yarns,” says Stacy.  She’s known around the community for giving back—Hank and Gracie’s very own book showcases a variety of charity knitting , and she was collecting a mountain of such items while I was there.

Wide-open and chock-full of inspiring samples, the store echoes Stacy’s “how can I help you?” attitude.   Here are a few of the great projects from this shop:

Bohoknits Sockhead Hat

Need some great travel knitting?   Grab a skein of any sock yarn and whip up this slouchy hat with a snugly ribbed wide band to help it stay put.  This will make great use of any of the marvelous self-striping fibers out there.

All-in-One Cardigan

Crocheters, this is your version of the classic Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise Jacket.  Any worsted weight and sturdy yarn will do, and the pattern is available on Ravelry.   Don’t you dare do this in a solid or heather—this project demands a rainbow of colors!

Felted Birdsnest

This project is as much the star of Hank and Gracie’s book as the dogs themselves.  Felt up your stash to make an endless array of birdhouses!  Or give one—along with the adorable book—as a gift for a child in your life.

Knit Along: Brush Creek Cowlette

An inventive cross between a shawlette and a cowl, this cozy-yet-lacy accessory combines a 300 yards of local fiber Bronotta hand-died super wash merino in a trio of colors (the kit is exclusive).  I love the scalloped edges—a great detail.

Once you’ve scored your knitting finds for the day, head for a one-of-a kind meal at:

Gordough’s Public House

2700 S Lamar Blvd

Austin, TX 78704

512) 912-9070

gourdoughspub.com

Only in Austin could you find a restaurant where everything—and I mean everything—comes on a doughnut.  Hide your cardiologists, people, nutrition does not live here.  Decadent deliciousness, however, does.  You’d think it wouldn’t work, but it does.  Hubby had a “Big Baller” burger (pimento cheese!), I had The Count Gordough Cristo (a montecristo), but with names like “Bacon Me Crazy” and “The Ron Burgundy,” it didn’t look like you could go wrong with any choice.  And yes, desserts round out the menu.  They’re famous for the “Flying Pig,” but we went for the Blackout, a chocolate brownie extravaganza.  I wouldn’t—couldn’t—eat here every week, but you’ve got to come here at least once.

To end your day, there’s really only one nowhere-else-like-it event:

Congress Avenue Bridge Bats

Austin Chronicle photo

Yep, you heard me, bats.  When the engineers built the Congress Avenue Bridge, they didn’t mean to create an ideal bat habitat, but they did.  As such, the Congress Avenue Bridge is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America.  You can either stand on the bridge, book a river tour, camp out at a nearby hotel bar, or just sit along the riverbank, but from wherever you watch, the extraordinary exit of bats into the sunset is a crazy spectacular.  March through early fall, something close to 1.5 million bats call this place home and head out each night to gobble up insects.  I’ve seen it, and it’s wild—in every sense of the word.

There you have it, DestiKNITters—in three days we’ve launched an exploration into all that is Austin.  With a Longhorn now in the family, I’m sure it won’t be my last visit!

Up next, I cast on the Lady Fern Scarf from Hill Country Knitters.