Friday, December 5, 2014

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!

8 comments:

Su said...

Could you not have threaded sone shirring elastic through the vcast on edge to stop it falling down over your eyes? I don't blame you for not wanting to give it away, it's lovely.

Unknown said...

This might interest you... Tiny Owl Knits has a pattern called "The Beekeeper's Quilt" which is made from leftover sock yarn. You knit hexagons, stuff them, then crochet them together into a nice puffy afghan. I got my pattern from the Webs website. Haven't yet started it...

Mary Keenan said...

Paula, I've seen that pattern too - I am so in love even with the pictures of those quilts!! Hope you have fun knitting that... I've always wanted to, but never had time. It would be such a great way to use up all those scrap strips of yarn ends and loose fiber wouldn't it :^)

Mary Keenan said...

Su, that never occurred to me but yes, it would have worked too!

Mary Keenan said...

You are quite right Darlene - that's what I did! It's the best thing about this simple cowl stitch, that there is no up or down ;^)

Laurinda said...

So sure, you COULD have gifted it, but it really does look super cute on you. Especially that little gathered puff edge on top. And it IS extra purpley...
I swear I'm going to start all my gift knits in June from now on 😉

Mimi said...

I like the redo even better.

Mary Keenan said...

Thanks, Laurinda and Mimi :^) (ps Laurinda, I started my gift knits in June and now I think I should start in March!)