FO Friday

Full disclosure: I finished this weeks ago, but this is the first photo of the cowl being worn.

It's Favorite Cowl, a free pattern from Urban Gypsy. My only complaint is that mine rolls at the ends, which her's does not. Anybody have a theory here? What can I do t stop the rolling? (And, yes, I blocked it!)

The yarn is Amazing by Lion Brand. It is actually pretty soft after a soaking in Eucalan. 

Urban Gypsy designed this as a stash buster, so you might want to use it that way. Whether you chose stash or new yarn, it is a great last-minute gift.

An Experiment

Favorite Cowl has been in my queue for quite a while. It's an incredibly easy pattern, perfect for a gift.  The versions I like the best on Ravelry used Noro Silk Garden. Seeing as I haven't had time to shop for yarn, it seemed like a good opportunity to check out Lion Amazing, which is available at a nearby store. It goes for a similar look -- longer stretches of each color that change gradually.

I think the finished product is quite pretty, although the colors lack that amazing Noro brilliance. What I really want to find out is how well this yarn softens. In its just-knit state, it is somewhat scratchy.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to soak it this weekend. Today, though, I'm in my hometown (Beloit), hanging out with my dad at the rehab center.  He'll have to be here for four to six weeks, until he is mobile enough to go home. At this point, his legs are in braces and he can't even stand. It's going to be a long haul!

Also, when I get back to Madison, I'll do some stash-busting to reward those of you who correctly guessed that the swatch in the picture was Wingspan.