Crocheted Cowl of many colours. (two colours really but who’s counting?)

I’m embracing the cowl neckline! And getting crochet involved in this revolution.

After years of convincing myself I shouldn’t wear them, I’ve given in. It’s also taken me 12-odd years of living in the UK to finally accept that, yes, winter does last that long. I needed something bright and warm to get me through February and came across this pattern on Ravelry. Really easy to follow and quick to make, it’s a series of V-stitches worked in rows. The wool was just too heavy so I changed it a bit, I made it much shorter and narrower, added a reverse crab-stitch around the edges and fastened it at the back with a button.

A trip across London to Clapham (for yet another great haircut) involved a little time snooping round charity shops and yielded this haul of wool.

I must have lost my mind for a moment because this kind of colour palette is definitely not something I’d normally choose. I’m usually stuck in a black and white loop when sewing but this just doesn’t seem to be the case when I crochet. Maybe I’m just yearning for a break in the relentlessness grey of the London sky.

I had originally tried to use  this pattern  but then frogged it after taking this picture and started making it in a different weight in green/black. It’s going OK and with any luck it’ll be done soon. The pattern is lovely  but it was just too, too heavy. See?

I’m really grateful for all the free resources, patterns and tutorials available on the internet. It’s really a beautiful thing to see so much knowledge and skill shared so freely.

I also like how this makes me look a little like the world’s most conspicuous bank robber.

Now I feel much warmer and if I can just sit out winter on the sofa with tea, biscuits and the cats on rotation, I’d be happy. Like Jack.