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Not quite a scarf, not quite a hat.

Materials: 1 "loopy cowl" pattern, courtesy Stitch 'N Bitch. 16" circular needles. 2 skeins Manos del Uruguay #107 (100% wool). A small bit of Crystal Palace Splash (100% polyester) in Berry Parfait.

Time: Under a week.

Cost: $38.

I loves me some winter accessories. They're fun, undoubtedly functional, and require less time and attention than actual garments; plus, you can never have too many. So I decided to broaden my horizons with the Loopy Cowl featured in Stitch 'N Bitch, constructed with a few skiens of my favorite yarn.

Thing is, I really wasn't into the loop stitch. It threw me off for some reason. In one of my characteristically half-baked substitution ideas, I decided to forego the loop stitch and replace it with several rounds knitted in Splash, an appropriately funky eyelash-type yarn. (I knitted these in reverse-stockinette, so more of the fuzzy bits stuck out of the fabric.) The rest of the pattern was completed as is; as much of a pain as I found the circular needle at first, it became much easier going after the first few rounds, and saved me a lottt of nasty seaming. Also, because of Manos del Uruguay's habit of underestimating their yard counts -- and maybe the fact that I didn't do the loopy stitch -- I was able to make it several inches longer than anticipated, and use a little under two (not three) skeins of the main yarn. Nice.

Of course, the extra rows of Splash significantly changed the shape of the top of the cowl. Instead of being as drapey as the rest, it's wider, heavier, and more stiffly circular; it kinda weighs itself down and stays away from my face. Which is cool, if that's the look that you're going for. It'll probably be nice once the weather's a bit warmer.

However, wearing it pulled up results in an undesirable "help, I'm caught in a porthole/tubeworm!" kind of look. It's very... circular. And fuzzy halo-ish. It also tends to catch the wind and bunch under my neck, which I'm not very fond of, either.

My solution? Wear it upside-down as a facewarmer, until I decide that I like the fuzzy halo effect. As long as it doesn't get too windy, it works great as a lighter and less bulky replacement for a scarf when the temperature is in the teens and warmer; it can be pulled over your mouth and nose to beat the windchill, too. Mmm, wooly goodness. Now I just need to make another hat to match it...

great pics! thanks heaps for the photos. I was looking for others who tried the loopy velez cowl before I purchased the merino and totally stuffed it up. I am concerned I won't actually wear it once I make it but the fuzzy halo looks cute on you so I might give it a go!

great pics! thanks heaps for the photos. I was looking for others who tried the loopy velez cowl before I purchased the merino and totally stuffed it up. I am concerned I won't actually wear it once I make it but the fuzzy halo looks cute on you so I might give it a go!