Malabrigo quickies: Berkshires Cowl
March just marched on by, and between computer crashes, weather issues, and a flooding incident, March’s Quickies project is hopping into April with a splash! I wanted to make sure that you didn’t miss a chance to see the Berkshires Cowl designed by the talented Jill Wolcott.
Jill was trained as a fashion designer with a focus on garment construction and pattern making in knitwear. Fit that accommodates all bodies has become an ever-larger one of her passions. Design, knitting, yarn, and explaining it all, are all important to Jill, who remains a passionate daily knitter.
Jill graciously shared some about the design process and Berkshires Cowl:
1: What is your favorite part of your Quickies design and why?
It's definitely how it is knit horizontally, but it looks vertical on the outside. It is a perfect showcase for beautiful yarn, but is also pretty straightforward to make.
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?
Make a swatch. You can learn everything you need to know if you make a swatch! This design is using a new pattern format which calculates all the numbers you need from your gauge and measurements. I am always specific about my techniques, but there are videos and written instructions.
3: What do you think knitters will enjoy the most about this project?
As a knitter I enjoyed watching the stripes unfold. The stitch pattern is 4 sts and 4 rows, so it is easy to find a rhythm and then it just unfolds simply.
4: What does your design process look like?
Ideas are constant and quick. Then I swatch. Eventually I make drawings, and write the basic pattern to find out what I didn’t think of. If a knitter is making the sample the yarn goes off and the pattern continues to be refined.
The pattern-writing process is pretty long for me. In addition to detailed instructions I do all the back-end of the Pattern Tailor and I do everything from charts to layout to modeling. I edit repeatedly, and yet my tech editor always finds mistakes!
5: Was there any particular inspiration you had when creating this piece?
I had a single ball of Oatmeal-colored DK yarn that had been given to me and lots of colorful fingering yarn, and it seemed like the perfect pairing. I do not remember how I settled on this stitch pattern, which I kind of made up. That was it. The stitch came out so cool I wanted the rest to be very simple. I’m now exploring other pieces for using this stitch pattern.
6: What is your favorite color in Malabrigo’s catalog?
I’ve always liked Archangel. Frank Ochre is an absolute favorite. I recently used that in another design, also in Caprino, and it is such a strong and forward color.
8: What is the one thing you wish people knew about you as a designer?
Oh, at this point in my design life (I’ve been doing this since 1994) I would say that I wish more knitters knew that I am an expert on fit. I am educated as a fashion designer and flat-pattern and garment construction are important pillars to my designing. I like to make things that are fun to make, and wear, and that feel very individual, but that will still feel relevant if it takes you five years to finish!
Social Media Profiles
Ravelry ID: Jill Wolcott
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/JillWolcottKnits
Website: http://www.jillwolcottknits.com.
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jillknits.bsky.social
You can find the pattern:
Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jacinda-hat--cowl
