The Squish Factor

Unlike some of you, I didn't knit all that many Christmas gifts. In looking back, I'm sure my list of knitted gifts was much longer in 2011. Instead, I decided to be a bit more choosy and picked only a handful of projects for a handful of loved ones.  At the top of my list was, of course, Miranda, who had asked for a gray cowl with one main criteria:  it had to have the squish factor.

Cascade 128 superwash chunky

Right around the time that she asked for this said cowl, Purl Bee published their gorgeous Fluted Cowl, and my search was over. This was truly a delightful knit in every way. I hadn't knit with Cascade 128 before, and while I would have loved to pop down to Purl Soho and buy the super soft merino they designed the cowl for, I needed to use my stash.  Boy, was I not disappointed.

This yarn has the squish factor and gave the pattern terrific stitch definition.  Speaking about the stitch pattern, the design is such that both sides of the cowl looks great. In knitting it, the pattern was easy to memorize and yet held my interest throughout.  Starting the cowl was a little tricky though -- the set up rows take some concentration, and I was a little distracted at first so had to frog and cast on a couple of times before developing a rhythm. Once I did, I was humming!

I'm happy to say that Miranda loves her fluted cowl and it's been her go-to accessory ever since she got it. It kept her especially warm during our day trip to Philadelphia over the holidays when the temperature went down to 30 degrees (see how she isn't even shivering?!).

*Comments are still open for this week's Winning Wednesday. Good luck!