Instant Hat: disaster cowl rescue

Hello, gift cowl:

Yeah, as if.  I knit this thing worrying the whole time that it was too narrow to work as a decorative accessory type cowl.  For an against-the-cold, chin warming cowl? sure.  But I was pretty sure it wouldn't be something you could leave around your neck all day indoors, just to keep the chill off.  Too tight.  And I messed up the cast off.  It's way snugger than the rest of the cowl.

Solution A: rip out and reknit on bigger needles (after buying bigger needles.)

Solution B: run a drawstring through the stitch gaps at the too-tight cast off end, and turn it into a hat.

Obviously, I went with Solution B.  I loved this cowl and the yarn and the way it made the stitch look.  I wanted to hand onto it way too much even to think of giving it away.  I did try, but every time I convinced myself it was all right really, and put it into the gift cowl bag, I had to pull it back out.

Luckily, I had yarn in this same colourway, so making a matchy braid for the drawstring was no problem.

If only the hat didn't keep falling over my eyes all the time.  I mean, I can get past the acutely late 1960s feel of it - I keep looking at it in the mirror and thinking it would be a great wrap for Julie Christie's updo in War and Peace - but I do need to be able to see. 

So, I restrung the drawstring, a little lower this time...

and tied it tight...

and tried it on again.  What do you think - bulky Hatcowl, or Purple Tea Cosy?

I can't help thinking Tea Cosy, but I don't care, because this hat is WARM.

And purple.

Now, it's true that these small changes turned a failed gift cowl into a viable handknit gift (admittedly, only for somebody who sees the late 60s as fashion heaven.)  It should totally have gone back into the gift pile as a hat.  But the selfish knitter inside me isn't having any of it.

Lesson learned: never write off a knit - you may well be able to turn it into a roaring success.

(and also, don't go counting on me for a gift knit, because I am weak.)

Have a wonderful weekend and if you trip over any lemons, best of luck making delicious lemonade.  See you Monday!