Cowls

[rivenwanderer]

I have 250ish yards of gorgeous charcoal-colored luxury(ish) merino yarn. I want to make a really awesome cowl for myself. Probably one I can snuggle my face into, because this yarn seems very smooth and lacking in those annoying tufts of fuzz that go up your nose when you snuggle it.

What shape of cowl will be best for keeping me really really warm (layering under/around my coat) in the bitter cold of Boston winters? I've made the kind that's basically a scarf with the ends sewn together, and it's OK, but a bit prone to gaps, being either too long or too short. My main other options seem to be the tube you pull over your head (longer leading to more slouchyness and the possibility of wearing it like a hood), the hipster handkerchief style (less appealing than usual since I'm in the middle of two shawls already), or the button-up style.

Anyone have reviews/feedback for cowls they've made and worn in the cold?

Comments

[indeliblesasha]

I can vouch for the snuggle-ability of this pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fear-of-commitment-cowl

I am almost done with it right now as a gift, and I keep stopping after a few rows and smooshing it and cuddling it. The stitch really is a big part of what makes it so snuggly. It's a super easy pattern that you have to pay just enough attention to that you don't get bored, and the movable button concept makes it super versatile. (See also: quickknit!)

And I made this one for my mom: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/facil-button-cowl and used this tutorial to seam it: http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/mattress.html

I didn't get a picture of it before I gave it to her, but the mattress stitch was flawless, and my mom just completely loved it. It's also got like three different ways you can wear it. It's so simple I felt kind of dumb for not coming up with the concept myself.

[rivenwanderer]

Neat! My yarn is worsted weight and I prefer more complicated stitch patterns (see also my lace shawl addiction), but that's good information on shapes/styles :)

[untonuggan]

I made one recently that was of the "tube" where I just played around with basketweave. It's in Malabrigo Rios (superwash merino) and super snuggly. Even though it was a little bit "longer" than my chin (but not huge and dangly like some I've seen), it still built up a nice little buffer of warm air. I did not want to give that cowl away.

If you have a stitch dictionary handy, I might suggest picking a general style/pattern you like and combining it with the desired stitch. I don't know if that's particularly helpful if you're a pattern kind of person, but it could be a chance to try out a new cabling pattern or some such...

[rivenwanderer]

Neat! Yeah, once I'm decided on a cowl shape, making one up with a stitch I like is totally possible. I could do cabling, but I'd rather something with more lace-like motifs (but without the gaps that lace usually has). Hmm, I wonder if the lace motifs in my stitch dictionary would still look nice if I swapped some other increase for the yarnovers...

[untonuggan]

If you like lace-like motifs but want something without holes, you could always try adapting this Dragon Scale Scarf pattern into a cowl. I realllly want to make it but don't have the time (yet).

[rivenwanderer]

Oo, that's a lovely stitch! I'll try substituting M1s for YOs in some lace patterns I've had my eye on, but the dragon scale motif is definitely a possibility :)

[frangipani]

That Facil Button Cowl looks awesome -- and easy to boot! I don't have the bulky yarn the pattern recommended, but I think I'll try to mod it with a basketweave stitch as you suggested.

[indeliblesasha]

I used two strands of worsted, and it worked like a *dream*. :D

[rileybear67]

I made this one from Knit Picks for a friend and she loves it. Says it's not too tight, but nice and snuggly.

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

Have you considered a mobius scarf; done wide enough I would think it'd make a nice cowl. You would need a long enough cable needle in your chosen gauge.