FO Friday - Artful Flower Cowl

Whew!  I finished a project for FO Friday just in the nick of time!

I started this project at the beginning of our trip and completed the cowl part pretty quickly.  I made the flower part yesterday and got it all sewn together and finished up this afternoon.

I used the "Artfully Simple Infinity Cowl" pattern for the cowl part.  It's a free pattern on Ravelry and the second one I've made.  It's simple, quick, fun and I love the results.  This one is made with a skein of Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton in the Buff colorway (#3719).  I used a size G hook to make it.

I made the flowers with an E hook and patterns from the "100 Lace Flowers to Crochet" book by Caitlin Sainio.  I love that book!  I sewed white buttons to the center of each flower and stitched the flowers together.  Then, I made a chain of about 125, tucked in the ends, and laced it through the back of the flower corsage.  Then, I tied it around the cowl with a bow.  It'll work this way or with the cowl doubled for more warmth.

I love how it makes a diagonal and open grid.  It has great texture, looks interesting, and makes it look a bit more complicated than it actually is.

I was surprised to find that I only needed one skein/220 yards.  Any more and it would have been too bulky for this cowl.  I had planned on two skeins and used a bit of the second one for the flowers.  I now have slightly less than a full skein to figure out what to do with.  So, if I were to do this again, I'd make the flowers first and then use the rest for the cowl.  I think it would work out just fine that way.  

I was a bit hesitant when I started on it because I was worried that this color looked a bit like a fishing net.  But, from the reaction I got when I posted a photo on Instagram last week, it seems to be great.  And, I like it.  It's not just a standard "natural".  The color is a bit richer and I think the sheen adds a lot to it.  I think the color and yarn are a perfect match for this open, summery cowl and it's a lot like what I had in mind when I bought it.  I'm not quite sure what I'd wear it with though.  Hmmm?

Oh...and, this makes one more skein that's been de-stashed!  Yay!

De-Stash / FO Challenge - FO #2

I started this cowl right after getting back from our road trip.  It worked up really fast but I've been putting off making the clasp for it.  This challenge encouraged me to finally get it done!  Yay!

I've had this yarn in my stash for years.  I won it in a yarn shop drawing.  I've started several projects with it and they either didn't work out or didn't seem like a good match for this yarn.  Then, I found the "Artfully Simple Infinity Cowl" pattern on Ravelry.  It was love at first sight and I knew this was the perfect match for this yarn!  I even had this turquoise bead thingy in my jewelry stash.  So, this might count as a double de-stash! 

I'm in love with this pattern and can't wait to make another one!

I love the open, airy stitch pattern and the versatility of ways it can be worn.

It's super simple and I like how it makes a slanted mesh grid.

I used one ball of Berroco Comfort Sock yarn in the colorway, Beach House.

I love all the colors in this yarn.  This turquoise bead is a great accent.

To make the clasp...I used a double strand and the same, size "G" crochet hook to make a chain long enough to go around the bead when looped (the button hole on the right) and slip stitched it closed.  Next, I continued to chain until I had enough length to loop through the bead, wrap around the cowl (when doubled) and reach back to where I slip stitched the button hole loop.  I wove in the ends, looped it through the center of the bead and back around itself and voila!  A custom clasp!  I simply wrap it around the doubled cowl and slip the loop over the bead.

Unfortunately, it's way too hot to wear it right now...111'!  Ugh!  But, Southern California has plenty of slightly chilly days that this would work great for.  It'll be a great pop of color and texture for an outfit too.  I can't wait for cooler days!

UPDATE 8/10/2014 - I'm joining in on Linda's Crafty Corner, Stash-Buster Link party.
If you'd like to join in on the fun, hop on over to her blog.