Would you like a free pattern for a cosy autumnal cowl? It’s this one, that I mentioned a couple of posts ago. There’s a link to the pattern near the end of this post.
In the unlikely event that you didn’t devour and memorise every word of that blog post (Whaddya mean, you’ve “got a life to be getting on with”?) here’s a recap: I was commissioned to design the original version of the cowl nearly five years ago, for the ‘Hobbycraft’ chain of shops. Sadly, the specified yarn is no longer made, so the website has taken down the pattern. A fair few of you contacted me about it, so I’ve been on a mission to find a suitable alternative yarn. There followed a few false starts and more than a little improper language that I wouldn’t dare use in front of my parents, before I eventually settled on ever-reliable Rowan Felted Tweed DK.
This was the original version, knitted in Women’s Institute ‘Unique Yorkshire’. It’s very fluffy and I wear it more frequently than any of my (many) other cowls:-
And I don’t always wear it whilst posing in front of the sitting room hearth, grinning self-consciously:-
Here’s the new version. The pattern is the same, but there’s a different feel to the new yarn. The creamy background shade has flecks of blue, reminiscent of frosty sparkles amongst the autumn leaves:-
The above photo? It was tricky to showcase the cowl in fast-fading light beside the compost bins, but I did my best. The picture below shows the indignity endured by the poor model. She was thoroughly cold and grumpy by the end. Mind, she’s a bit of a diva at the best of times, and falls over dramatically at the slightest provocation:-
So yeah, I’ve updated the pattern with the new yarn, tweaked it a bit, and it’s ready to rumble. Would you like to see? I hope so, because it’s my mission to keep everyone cosy this autumn-winter-spring. I fear that we’re in for a chilly one this year, so you’ll be needing some decent yarnery to keep the cold at bay.
So here it is. Here’s the pattern. It’s free, it’s cosy, and I hope that you enjoy it.
This post is dedicated to my wry and funny Uncle J, who died this afternoon following a long illness. You’ll never be forgotten but you’ll always be missed.
Aloha,
Mille grazie for thinking of your readers during this time. I really appreciate your generosity and kindness during this time and hope that you receive many hugs and support from your family (both selected and blood related). Will say a prayer for your uncle tonight and hope that he receives much merit from everyone who he touched during his life.
Mahalo.
Thank you. He was a good man.
Phil,
you are not only an awesome inspiring knitter but gardener as well! I only wish my back yard looked half as good as your garden! Thanks for the effort to update the pattern, It will be next on my needles, I think!
I am so sorry of the death of your uncle, may he go into the light. And thank you, thank you for the cowl pattern. Compost, the best ever, a few chickens and you never have to fertilize again. Tell me about those grumpy models, mine has a lame backleg. Always falling over when you least expect it. Sometimes I put her on the small nighstand without leg as a punishment for falling over me with a pinned dress. That shall do her. Pictures of yourself showing homemade knits is a bit of a dare, is it?
Thank you for this pattern. The weather this weekend needs as much comfy cosiness as possible. Sorry to hear about your uncle, he will live on in your hearts and attitudes tho there’s always a hole in the family circle.
Much love and hugs to you xxxx
The cowl is beautiful and I can’t wait to knit it, thank you.
I also have a thoroughly inconsistent model. Maybe they’re sisters. Mine’s called Doris. Her legs like to fall off.
I’m so sorry about Uncle J, Phil – and yet maybe his death was for the best .. long illnesses are nearly always unspeakable after a while.
Your diva model just doesn’t appreciate the goodness inherent in being posed next to the compost bins, obviously, She must be a headstrong woman— oh, hang on .. she doesn’t have a head !
Your niceness in providing this pattern is kind of offset by your thinking for half a nanosecond that I might be able to utilize it.
Sighh ..
Condolences and thank you for the lovely cowl pattern and all your work to make it happen. It’s lovely!
Condolences on the death of your uncle.
The cowl is lovely. We went to look at the Autumnal Tints at a local Gardens this week. Some of them were even still on the trees. Though I suppose after storm Arwen this weekend . . . (bloomin’ elves!)
And your compost bin is truly magnificent. Dear Husband made me one out of pallets recently. I turned the contents of our 2nd hand (yay!) plastic (yuk!) ‘Dalek’ into it, and promptly dug some of the black crumbly stuff into the Veg Patch.
My sincere sympathy on the loss of your uncle.x
So sorry to hear about your uncle, sending you virtual hugs x
Thank you for the beautiful cowl pattern, you are so clever..
Your cowl design is ever lovely! Thanks again so much.
I’m so sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by your memories, it’s sounds like you will be thinking of him often with love.
Sorry to hear about your uncle. Love to your family. The cowl is lovely and having made your Jazz cowl I’m tempted to do this one, but perhaps using a colour-changing yarn for the leaves to minimise end-weaving.
Condolences on the loss of your dear Uncle J. These are always such tough losses, even after a long illness. May his spirit continue to brighten the lives of your family. …Thank you so very much for the pattern! It is absolutely lovely and I really like every color, though truth be told, I agree that the original yarn, in my “yarnish,” is simply yummy and is a shame that it’s no longer available. Hope you and your family live & work through the winter well, with some fun thrown into the mix, now & then.
So sorry to hear about the passing of your Uncle J, hugs to you and his family and friends. Thanks for the generous knitting pattern… just what I need to keep my hands busy dury the holidays.
I think we all have that special uncle either related or not that is irreplaceable. My condolences to your family.
The cowl is beautiful and will go into my ever lengthening wish list! Thank you Jane
The cowl is beautiful! I like the new version with the frosty hints. Please give my regards to your model also. Are you sure she wasn’t swooning with joy at the compost-y goodness she was witnessing?
And sending good thoughts to you and yours regarding your uncle. I missed the dedication on my first read of your blog. Losing good people is so difficult.
thanks so much Phil!
cant wait to knit it!
hope you are well!
best regards,
daisy 🙂
Hi Your posts make me laugh out loud. You and P G Wodehouse are doing a good job of keeping me happy. Thank you for the gorgeous pattern. As opposed to the tyre inflator my husband thought it would be a laugh to get me for my birthday I’m going to ask for some Rowan yarn and possibly rewrap the tyre inflator for his birthday or beat him to death with it. Not sure yet. Thanks again Phil.
Hmm – more yarn, re-gifting or killing ones spouse. Decision, decisions…
How often do you reflate the tyres? If it’s his job, it’s his gift to himself!
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a lovely way to describe someone – wry and funny- and I can only imagine how much your family will miss him. Sending you a big hug.
😭😭😭 no crochet version of your beautiful cowl x
It is so generous of you to make this lovely pattern available, thank you so much. It is a beautiful memorial to your much-loved uncle.
Bless you and thank you.
The cowl is gorgeous, many thanks for reworking the pattern!
How generous! I admired this from your earlier posts. It is gorgeous! Thank you!
Thanks so much for the pattern, very kind of you. I’m sorry to hear about your uncle, sending best wishes.
Gorgeous cowl! Lovely opportunity to add the pattern to my huge pile of ‘must knit this one day’ list! Thank you.
Thank you so much for the lovely pattern. And I’m very, very sorry for your loss.
It would be my absolute dream to knit that cowl and we all need a dream these days. Condolences on the loss of Uncle J. Bless him. X Janice
I’m sorry for your loss, Phil. We never forget the ones we’ve loved.
Your cowl is stunning. I wish I had your yarn skills. I’m now following you on Instagram, too. Well done on the composting.
Thank you so much for the delicious cowl pattern. I love cowls….in your face but not in your way.
I was impressed by your compost bin . I have an allotment and my compost corner also includes Reindeer poo. I can assure you it works magically without leaving tinsel in the veg.
About orange, I have only recently read your blog, I was gifted a lot of lovely coloured Rios several Christmas’s ago and although I used most up I still have two almost intact balls of carrot. Why is this? I feel encouraged now to use it.
Kind regards
Thank you for the pattern I can’t wait to try it.
Sorry for the loss of your uncle! I lost my most funniest lovingest uncle on, you guessed it, April Fool’s Day last year. Could feel him winking at me from up above! Thank you for sharing this gorgeous cowl pattern. On the books for post-holiday knitting!
Thank you for sharing the falling leaves cowl. I had saved the original pattern, but have not knitted it yet. It’s on my to do list! I will be happy to get going on the new version.
Best to you over this holiday season!
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