March Quickie: Ballroom Cowl
Is anyone else super excited that it is Spring and enjoying every single second of sunshine possible?
It’s still cool enough though and the sunny days are not consistent enough to put the knitwear away, though, and this month’s Quickies pattern, Ballroom Cowl, is the perfect accessory for this time of the year. It’s delicate yet still has enough warmth to make you feel like you are wrapped in a gentle hug, which we all could use a little more of these days I think!
Designer KaroliinaH used Malabrigo Sock to design this luxurious cowl that will slide off your needles just as quickly as you cast on for another project! Karoliina Hämäläinen is a designer from Finland. She used to follow every pattern very strictly. But after few decades of knitting, she realized that she could carry out some of her own ideas too.
Karoliina took some time to answer some questions for us about her latest design and we are happy to share them with you now:
1: What is your favorite part of your Quickies design and why?
I love the lace pattern at the edge of the cowl. It looks sophisticated even it’s mostly just simple yarn overs and decreases.
2: What should knitters pay attention to when working this pattern? Do you have any tips or tricks that will make knitting this pattern easier?
The most important thing is to take care that the work doesn’t get twisted in the very beginning.
3: What do you think knitters will enjoy the most about this project?
After lace section which requires more attention the pattern is simple, fast and fun to knit. Perfect project for your favorite TV-series.
4: What does your design process look like?
My design process is usually quite messy. The idea can born almost from anything I see around me, triggering an image in front of my eyes. This is why I have more ideas that I can ever finish.
The next step is to test the idea with swatch and make basic calculations. Unfortunately, usually I’m too eager to start and forget something simple ending up knitting and ripping off. The rest of the pattern I write down into my notebook as I go. I love my test knitters who many times help me to make the pattern more understandable.
The most demanding part is to write the actual pattern, when you already want to get started with new project.
5: Was there any particular inspiration you had when creating this piece?
I saw a magazine from 1950’s where the lady was wearing a sweater with similar lace pattern. I knew immediately that I would be knitting a cowl with chandeliers.
You can find the Ballroom Cowl on Ravelry here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ballroom-cowl-2
Be sure to find more of Karoliina’s work in the following places:
Patterns : https://www.ravelry.com/designers/karoliinah