Somewhere amidst the frosty tundra of northern Canada, a musk ox (yes one of those vast and curmudgeonly beasts) is missing a little of its tummy fluff. Not very much of its tummy-fluff you understand, not enough to leave it with a shivery abdomen, for the musk ox is extremely well-insulated and tends to moult its excess in spring. But just a few grams, sufficient to make… oh I don’t know… maybe a cowl for someone in the frosty – er – “tundra” of south Oxfordshire.
All I can say is thank you, Mr or Mrs musk ox. And thank you again to my father-in-law, the Gregarious Grandfather, for providing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bury my senses in the fur of such a marvellous arctic beast. The qiviut cowl is finished! Nah, that doesn’t fully convey my excitement over this fact. How about, THE COWL IS FINISHED!!!! It’s a Smokering – a lacy but simple pattern that shows off the slight ombre in the yarn quite wonderfully. I’m wearing it in our chilly house as I write this and I feel both warm (at least in the neck area – everything else is shivering) and at one with the musk ox.
Is it obvious how gorgeous this yarn is? Perhaps not from a photo. Let me explain. If I laid this 34-gram cowl on your hand, you’d scarcely notice its weight, but instead feel the most gentle, floaty sensation on your skin. Qiviut doesn’t shrink so it isn’t prone to felting, but I have to say that a little of the oxen grumpiness remains in the yarn and it did tend to scramble itself into felt-like tangled messes rather too easily as I wound it and worked it. Am I complaining? No of course I’m not, because I have this:- And within this happy, simple pattern, there is lace, although it’s hard to make out the details in the fluff-fest above. Here’s another shot:- Some people say that qiviut is a nicer (and altogether more amenable) experience when it’s blended with silk or summat. And yes, this might make the yarn a little more biddable, but I can honestly say that putting on a pure qiviut garment is absolute heaven. Well worth the grumpiness, I say. *Meanwhile, if you’re in the UK, don’t forget the Stylecraft yarn designing competition! I’m so excited to be on the judging panel that will look over all your entries. Go on, let your imagination go wild! In case you can’t make out the details from my little photo, everything you need to know to enter is here.*
Toasty Strings says
I’ve always wanted to knit with qiviut. Looks lovely and soft!
The Twisted Yarn says
It is rather wonderful, and it rapidly gets even softer with handling.
Sue Kuisma says
qiviut is heaven. I once had a scarf.. each stitch pleasure to knit. The *#/* moths got it one summer. Tears were wept, lesson learned. Most amazing yarn ever and worth every penny ( or pence)
The Twisted Yarn says
Moths!! In qiviut!! Oh my goodness, how on earth are you sounding so sane after having that happen?
Missy's Crafty Mess says
Beautiful. Love the colors too. Hopefully the critters fur grew back before the temperature dropped.
The Twisted Yarn says
I think they mostly use fur that has been moulted in spring. 🙂
fernwoodnursery says
ooh la la……that’s all that needs to be said. (And purple!)! Beautiful, really!…..and what soft and cozy decadence to have that wrapped around your neck!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. Believe me, I’m making the most of this, because I don’t suppose it’ll happen again.
eclectichomelife.blogspot.com says
Looks totally yummy. Bet it feels it too.
The Twisted Yarn says
Yup. 🙂
Tajana says
Woooooooooooooooow….. speechless!
The Twisted Yarn says
🙂
bonnyknits says
Stunning. I love it. I’ve drooled over some quiviut at my LYS, so at least I’ve gotten to touch it. Would love to knit with it someday!
The Twisted Yarn says
The wonderful thing is that it gets softer and softer as you knit with it.
meganb1977 says
Beautiful!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you.
knitterpixie says
That is a gorgeous cowl. Enjoy it freely!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. 🙂
gladeridercrafts says
That looks soo smooth already, I can only imagine how much more fluffy it is in person 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
Yup, there’s fluff. Much lovely fluff.
whip1up says
What a luxuriously beautiful thing!
The Twisted Yarn says
It has been an honour to knit with this wonderful yarn just once in my life.
annabellefranklinauthor says
That looks so soft and warm – and what a delicious colour! Just the thing to make this grim weather a bit more bearable.
The Twisted Yarn says
Yup. I would have been almost disappointed if it had suddenly warmed up!
Carole says
Ooooh, that looks divine. So luxurious and cosy 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
Yup!
Amy at love made my home says
It sounds incredible! The colour is beautiful isn’t it! xx
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. It is a wonderfully rich colour.
Many Bright Things says
I am trying to work my way up the knitting ladder or greatness until I am worthy of knitting with such a majestic yarn. In the meantime I am admiring your qiviut cowl from afar, and imagine its weightless softness, and all-round marvelousness…!
The Twisted Yarn says
But such lovely yarn needs only a simple pattern to show it off….
dragontearsoflove says
I am so jealous right now…I love how the most curmudgeonly creatures create the softest things, and warmest feelings;-).
The Twisted Yarn says
Yes, their fur is definitely softer than their tempers. Not that I’ve ever met a musk ox.
Katie Writes Stuff says
It looks absolutely glorious!
oddlyended says
That is absolutely beautiful! What a magnificent gift that was.
The Twisted Yarn says
Believe me, I am most definitely grateful for this gift.
Allison says
So pretty! I might invest in some of that qiviut…with all the wind here in KS my neck gets shivery very quickly!
The Twisted Yarn says
No way would your neck ever shiver again – this stuff knits up so fine but soooo warm.
sewchet says
It looks so gorgeously soft and fluffy and, whilst I’m not a purple person, that second photo has made me think twice:)
The Twisted Yarn says
It comes in lots of other rich, luscious colours too. 🙂
jem arrowsmith says
That looks absolutely beautiful, and warm too!
KerryCan says
Will you ever take it off?
The Twisted Yarn says
Nope. Never. 🙂
shadowlilies says
Beautiful!…I want to touch it… 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
OK, I’m holding it up near the screen so if you can sort of reach through a bit…..
(It does feel heavenly soft.)
arlingwoman says
I can’t help but think the musk ox would be pleased.”My coat? You made that with my coat?” Yeah.
The Twisted Yarn says
I don’t know. I fear that musk oxen may be quite grumpy about most things…
Isabel's Needleworks says
I’ve never seen or heard of qiviut before ..imagine that and living in Canada. Shame on me lol Now its on my bucket list with buffalo yarn 🙂 BTW the colour is so beautiful.
Izz
Denise says
Do you have a pattern for your Qiviut cowl?