Requested Cowl


I hope you all are sitting down because I've something shocking to reveal.....I'm knitting a project on size THIRTEEN needles with BULKY wool.  I know, I know, you are wondering if I've lost my mind.

Over the long weekend, my daughter requested a chunky cowl specifically the gaptastic cowl. This cowl has been knit by everyone but me.  So while I was shopping with my sister, I added bulky wool on my list of needed yarns.  I also wanted to make this an affordable cowl, so  I bought three skeins of Paton's Roving Wool in a light gray. Would you believe I've picked out veg matter-delightful!!

Let's just say I am enjoying the experience of super fast immediate gratification knitting.  Yesterday in order to continue knitting with grace, I cast on a fingering weight project.  You see, my heart belongs to thin yarn and thin needles.

Have you knit the gaptastic cowl?  What is your favorite needle size?


Comments

  1. Lisa UotinenDecember 3, 2013 at 7:59 AM

    I have not knit the gaptastic cowl, but secretly want to! Take a picture when you are finished so I can see! :)

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  2. DebbieDecember 3, 2013 at 8:03 AM

    Most things I knit seem to be on 4mm needles (I think that's your 6), though a couple of Christmas projects were on slightly bigger needles.

    I've had my eye on the gaptastic cowl for a long time! I was in town (London) last week and noticed quite a few girls/women wearing that type of cowl. Also I saw a proliferation of bobble hats. Strangely, I hate making pom poms. Got to make two for my latest project :(

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  3. BridgetDecember 3, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    I haven't knit this cowl, but I've made a couple of other things that were requested by others using bulky yarn. As you said, the immediate gratification is nice, but I prefer using sizes 4-6 or so (US sizes).

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  4. AnkeDecember 3, 2013 at 8:22 AM

    I have not made the gaptastic cowl - yet. :-) I just finished the honey cowl (as a gift) and both of the girls really liked it. They both said they would love to have (and actually wear) one! Maybe I could knit the gaptastic cowl for one of them... Thanks for sharing!

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  5. UnknownDecember 3, 2013 at 8:29 AM

    I've never made the gaptastic cowl. I don't usually knit with bulky either...I don't care for it. The thickest yarns I like are DK. Even worsted isn't my most favorite al tough I do use it! Come to think of it I can't think of the last time I've used bulky!

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  6. Deborah HamiltonDecember 3, 2013 at 8:31 AM

    I like using big needles because like you said there is instant gratification. I've made blankets on size 15 needles with double worsted weight yarn. They feel great!

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  7. BonnyDecember 3, 2013 at 8:38 AM

    I haven't knit this cowl, but I did buy some worsted weight yesterday that I'll use to make it for myself. I'll probably try sz. 9 needles with worsted held singly. This is meant to be my reward for (hopefully) finishing some Christmas projects. I'm hoping it will be a nice warm accessory to use during my winter walks. Enjoy your immediate gratification knitting!

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  8. stephDecember 3, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    I just KNEW you were knitting that gap-tastic cowl!!! I was sure you and I were the only ones not to have made it....leaving me the honor, but I see from some other friends comments above that there actually is a group (small as it may be) of us.
    I usually think I'm OK with any needle sized 6 or under----but I pulled out the mitered blanket last night again....and found myself deliriously HAPPY with those #1s!!!!!

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  9. DonnaDecember 3, 2013 at 8:47 AM

    I haven't knit that one yet simply because of all the seed stitch. My daughter wants the cowl from Catching Fire and all the patterns call for size Ridiculous needles and chunky yarn. Not sure if I'm willing to tackle that before Christmas.

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  10. AnonymousDecember 3, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    I have not knit it but I do love instant gratification from time to time :) The cowl I knit for my brother flew off the needles (size 13) and it was a wonderful feeling. It's nice to have to have variety in projects.

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  11. debby emadianDecember 3, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    Hi there Karen, I'm catching up at last with all my blog reading. Your snowy Thanksgiving photo's were amazing. I have too many things to be thankful for to list. But the top has to be health and happiness, especially after A's just had a bit of a health scare, thankfully he's fine. But it was scary for a bit there and makes me appreciate him so much more than I already do.

    I love using chunky yarn for the speed. I like to switch around needle sizes though, something small and neat then something big and fast for a bit of variety. Enjoy your chunky knit.

    Happy birthday. What an awesome surprise. You'll have to surprise your sister on her next birthday.

    debx

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  12. Melanie RouthierDecember 3, 2013 at 10:42 AM

    I can't wait to see the end result. This has been on my list for awhile now. There always seems to be something else that needs knitting though. Love the colour!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Judy S.December 3, 2013 at 10:54 AM

    Haven't knit that one but did print off the pattern, so I'm ready.... LOL Big needles do make for fast progress but they make my hands hurt. Isn't it great when your kids request a home-knit project?

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  14. thecrazysheepladyDecember 3, 2013 at 12:32 PM

    I'm among the few that haven't knit that...but I keep going back and looking at it...

    ReplyDelete
  15. KrugthethinkerDecember 3, 2013 at 1:13 PM

    Oh, how pretty! I think boucle is the biggest yarn I have worked with, but it was fun to watch it knit up so quickly! I know your daughter will love this:)

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  16. CorrabelleDecember 3, 2013 at 3:10 PM

    I love that pattern, such a breeze, and yes, instant gratification! And perfect for this time of year when it's getting down to the crunch. That grey is beautiful!

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  17. Mama Gone GreenDecember 3, 2013 at 4:20 PM

    wow! good for you!
    I think I love knitting on 8, or 9's the best BUT I do love to do projects on 10's or 13's and have them fly by. Sort of gratifying, right?

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  18. AndriaDecember 3, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    I have this pattern in my queue. I am currently experimenting with smaller needles, because I have been a 5mm girls for a while. So far, it has been fun. No favourites yet, each size has its advantage to me.

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  19. Tracey ~ CloverDecember 3, 2013 at 4:29 PM

    Now that is a big change for you.
    I haven't knit the pattern either..or I guess I should say yet.

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  20. Kim December 3, 2013 at 4:52 PM

    Can't wait to see it. I have is saved but have not knit it yet, maybe seeing yours will inspire me :)

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  21. elnsDecember 3, 2013 at 6:37 PM

    Haha! You're killing me! I'm knitting one in gray for my son's 5th grade teacher! I'll show you mine as it grows a little more!

    I knit one previously on smaller yarn/needles. It's very pretty and practical.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Darcel {MahoganyWayMama}December 3, 2013 at 7:24 PM

    I about fell over when I saw the picture. The instant gratification feels good, but I love the long process that thinner yarns takes. It just feels good to me. I haven't knit the gaptastic cowl, but it is on my list. Nice to see how patons roving looks all knit up!

    ReplyDelete
  23. HannahDecember 4, 2013 at 6:08 AM

    I haven't knit this cowl so you're definitely not the last! I adore the instant gratification of a bulky project - I've just finished a pair of mittens that took a total of 45 minutes! I tend to favour 5mm needles as they work up at a good pace but lately I've been enjoying knitting socks on 2.5mms which I thought I'd hate but it's lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousDecember 4, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    Haha, I love bulky needles! I knit a blanket with a sz 36 once but I'll admit those were a little to big. I knit the cowl and use it all the time. Bigger needles = instant gratification!

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  25. AnonymousDecember 4, 2013 at 4:51 PM

    Nope, I have not knit that cowl...yet. But I do like the looks of it.

    ReplyDelete
  26. JoséDecember 6, 2013 at 6:11 AM

    Haven't knit that cowl either... and I doubt if I ever will... Guess I'd rather stick to my thinner needles ( I think 3 & 3,5 mm needles are most used here, and 2 & 2,5 mm for socks ). To be honest, I don't really dare to buy bulky yarn for myself - always fear that it will make me seem too small when wearing it..

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