Hello.
There’s a stretch of motorway that I drive often. If it’s dusk and there’s a half-decent sunset, the view is stunning, with sharp conifers and rolling hills silhouetted against the sky. Often, I see deer. I’ve long wanted to show you this view because I know you like colour, but stopping on a motorway to whip out my camera would be both illegal and stupid, so it hasn’t been possible.
But then something happened that meant I could at last show you… in knitting! Because look what landed on my desk!
THIS, my friends, is a fiery ball of sock yarn (75% superwash wool, 25% nylon) and as of this week, it’s a brand new addition to the ‘Head Over Heels’ range from Stylecraft. It immediately made me think of sunsets. It’s named ‘Etna’, which is especially appropriate as its namesake has reportedly been erupting this week.
The moment I saw this yarn, I knew exactly what I would design for it. Yes, it’s another cowl, but it just seemed like the ideal object to be adorned with the sunsetty view that I mentioned earlier. So I’ve been scribbling away on knitter’s graph paper, and now I’m knitting. Fast. It’s not quite done:-
…But it’s well on its way. There’s not much more of the design left to work:-
But I got a biggish chunk knitted this morning whilst I was waiting for my reclaimed 19th century bricks to FAIL TO ARRIVE! Grrr. It was an anxious and restless wait, I think because if/when the delivery arrived, I knew I’d feel the need to try and pretend to seem like the sort of person who orders bricks and builds stuff all the time, and who knows what she’s talking about. I am not that person.
Anyway, back to the yarn. If you fancy buying this, or any other yarn from the Head Over Heels range (reviewed here), it’s available for £6.99 for 100g (3.5oz) from stockists of Stylecraft. Recommended needles/hooks: 2.25-3.25mm.
Once the cowl is finished, I’ll pop the pattern chart on here, just in case you want to make one too. It does need a better name than ‘Sunset Over Motorway’, though. Any thoughts?
Hannah says
March 16, 2017 at 4:18 pmWhat a beautiful yarn. And what a beautiful cowl! The more I see wonderful things like this, the more I feel I really must learn to knit
Caroline says
March 16, 2017 at 4:19 pmOh wow, it’s amazing! The Etna colourway is absolutely perfect as a backdrop to your design, love it!
Rainbow Junkie says
March 16, 2017 at 4:27 pmThe cowl is beautiful but I would want to put it on the side to look at and not actually wear it, when I might lose the picture.
K Taylor says
March 16, 2017 at 4:31 pmLove the Etna colorway!! It is perfect as a firey (word?) sunset background.
Jean MacDonald says
March 16, 2017 at 4:37 pmSunset Silhouette ….a name for your pattern. It is beautiful! …maybe because I love silhouettes even if I have trouble spelling it. You are so talented! Thank you for sharing and I look forward to the pattern.
Sarah says
March 16, 2017 at 4:40 pmThat is a really fabulous use of the colourway. I’m looking forward to the pattern……cowls and fairisle are a winning combination as far as I’m concerned!
Tajana says
March 16, 2017 at 4:42 pmBeautiful… <3 <3 <3
Tineke says
March 16, 2017 at 4:52 pmPerfectly you to come up with this solution to the problem, knitting the view. Love it. I would wear it as a cardi though. Much to beautiful for a cowl.
Toni says
March 16, 2017 at 5:28 pmThat’s gorgeous, and I must have the pattern. Seriously.
elizabeth kay booth says
March 16, 2017 at 5:30 pmWow. That is GORGEOUS! And honestly, this may not be helpful (sorry!), but Motorway Sunset Cowl is the kind of name that would make me want to check out the pattern. The word sunset always grabs me. 🙂
Emma says
March 16, 2017 at 7:17 pmThis is wonderful Phil, so impressive. I just love the idea that you knew exactly what you were going to do with it.
captelaine says
March 16, 2017 at 7:59 pmLovely yarn… and what a beautiful cowl this will be… how about Sunset in the pines… for a name.
gladeridercrafts says
March 16, 2017 at 8:11 pmNo idea what to call that cowl, but that yarn is amazing!!! I really want a pair of socks out of it now…maybe later, when free time becomes a thing again!
Fran Freedman says
March 16, 2017 at 8:51 pmAbsolutely beautiful. I think it looks like an Alaskan sunset. I can’t wait to see the chart and try it.
Misa says
March 16, 2017 at 9:47 pmI think you’ve sparked an urge to get out my knitting needles again!
Katie Writes Stuff says
March 16, 2017 at 10:54 pmThe cowl looks fabulous – the sunset-coloured wool could not be more perfect! Whenever you wear that, you’ll need to be prepared to encounter dozens of people staring in fascination at your be-cowled neck.
Cricket Fox says
March 16, 2017 at 11:00 pmI cant wait to see the end project
Born To Organize says
March 17, 2017 at 2:30 amI am continually gobsmacked at your ability with yarn. You make it seem effortless. What a gorgeous scene with the perfect yarn to create a background. It’s lovely, Phil. As for the erupting volcano, I can’t imagine how terrifying that must have been for those people. We visited an active volcano on The Big Island of Hawaii several years ago. It was extraordinary, but on our visit anyway, well behaved.
Louisette says
March 17, 2017 at 7:43 amBeautifum ! I would call it “The Hiking Reindeer” 😉
Karen crimson kettle says
March 17, 2017 at 9:03 amIsn’t that just the perfect use for the yarn. Beautiful.
Ashley says
March 17, 2017 at 2:48 pmThat cowl is gorgeous!!!
Diane G. says
March 17, 2017 at 4:21 pmGorgeous! I was gonna suggest naming it ‘Fiery Sunset Cowl’, but I like ‘Sunset Silhouette’ & ‘Hiking Reindeer’ both better – Hiking Reindeer – too cute – love it!
Fran Freedman says
March 17, 2017 at 5:21 pmDoes anyone know how to get this yarn in the USA? It is not on Loveknitting or Deramores and those are the only websites on which I found Stylecraft . Just not Head over Heels Etna
The Twisted Yarn says
March 17, 2017 at 5:30 pmHi Fran. Given that places like Deramores stock Head Over Heels, I assume that they’ll start stocking Etna soon. It’s only been out for a couple of days, so I imagine that supplies will filter through! If not, I’ll ask the people at Stylecraft what’s going on!
Fran Freedman says
March 17, 2017 at 5:41 pmthank you
garnharmoni says
March 17, 2017 at 7:51 pmAmazing work! It inspires me to perhaps design a scene / landscape rather than (just) knitting fair isle panels. Look forward to seeing it finished and seeing the pattern! 🙂 /Christina
aprettypotato says
March 17, 2017 at 8:19 pmThat cowl is truly beautiful! Amazing job, I look forward to seeing it finished <3
pomegranateandchintz says
March 18, 2017 at 12:34 amYou are amazing! What a stunning cowl. Hope the bricks turn up soon.
Janet says
March 19, 2017 at 12:04 pmThat is wicked cool! What a way to capture the landscape.
Sandra says
March 20, 2017 at 8:07 amThat looks amazing!
S x
Wooliefeatures says
March 20, 2017 at 3:04 pmThis is stunning!
Laurel says
March 21, 2017 at 10:52 pmWOW! My daughter and I (now on the other side of the county) exchange and give a heads-up about sunsets. I am so making her one, maybe with one of our favorite mpuntains substituting for the one you have, BEAUTIFUL!