KNIT: THE PALETTE CLEANSER

Squishy. Yummy. Like a warm hug.

I need one right now whilst sewing, and really any crafting, is out due to a nasty back injury. Oh the cruel irony that I spend my days "fixing" others backs and then mine goes.

I've also been dithering over a new knitting project since finishing my marathon Caramel. I needed a palette cleanser and I was convinced I wanted to do a chunky knit the likes of a Chunky Fudge Lace Cardigan to achieve a quick-off the-sticks project. Than I snapped myself out of it and realised that given I'm almost too toasty in my sportweight Caramel I was gonna be a sweaty mess in a chunky knit.

But I'd been fondling the chunky yarns at Lincraft during their recent yarn sale and really liked the Mondial Merino Special (12 ply, 60% merino wool, 40% acrylic).

I know that's gonna make all the purists out there shudder at the '"a" word, but pure wool was going to be stifling and I don't mind some acrylic in my accessories. And interestingly it had that strong signature wet wool smell on blocking and is delightfully soft.

So I decided on a delicious cowl - scarves are less my thing as I always feel I have to adjust them and deal with that strangled feeling.

This is the Lael Cowl by Wendy Neal (wound twice around the neck). It's a super easy make that is billed to look equally good on either side. Its chunkily textured fabric comes largely from the K1 below stitch. Although it's a ridiculously easy stitch, I've clearly messed up in some places where the fabric looks markedly different. Oops.

Front of fabric on left, back of fabric on right

Good thing about chunky cowls? Mistakes are generally easily disguised when wearing all bunched up.

And whilst I console myself that I have the perfectly fitting toile for my Schnittchen Mona Jacket and no capacity to cut or sew it, this cuddly little number is making it much easier.

Squish, squish...