FO Friday: When bad things happen to a good crocheter

Yes, I know, this is the post you’ve all been waiting for with great anticipation and bated breath.  Or is that just me? It’s been a tricky post to write, partly because it’s much more fun to write about success than failure, and partly because I foolishly put a polo neck on this morning, which is not the ideal garment for modelling cowls.  But since I couldn’t convince any of my colleagues to pose for me (note to self: next time, bring cake), you’ll have to make do with me looking a bit daft, mostly because it’s remarkably difficult to take a decent picture of yourself using your phone. You’ll also have to excuse the crazy hair. It has a mind of its own at the moment.

Let’s start with the one you haven’t seen.

This is a dead simple cowl, made from Rowan Biggy Print with a 10mm hook.  I have a real thing for Moebius twists, and with this yarn, I think it was the right choice.  There weren’t enough yards and the yarn is too stiff to make a big slouchy thing, so the twist gives it some body and interest.

But it’s just not me.  I can’t think of any circumstances under which I’d wear it.

Second up is the more disappointing of the two.

Yes, this is the famous Ally Pally Cowl in that gorgeous Fyberspates yarn.  It looks lovely, the colours are stunning, and I think after blocking, I’d be able to wear it without it making my neck itch too much.  Except I really, really don’t like it.  The shape is wrong for me, I made it too small, and it just doesn’t work in a way that I can’t quite describe without waving my hands around a lot and pulling a strange face.

Just like that.

The thing is, when Doris Chan was telling me about it at the show, it sounded wonderful.  When she put it on, it looked cute and stylish.  On me, I think it looks kind of limp and silly.

But in the grand traditions of clouds and silver linings, these cowls have actually taught me something: I don’t like wearing Moebius cowls.  I love looking at them, I’ve even designed one, but when it comes to neckwear, I like long and drapey.  I like to be able to wrap the ends around me, or not, or pull it over my head or tuck it into my coat.  A Moebius cowl just doesn’t give me the flexibility I want from a garment.

Oddly enough, I’m okay with these two being failures.  The Biggy Print cowl is going to go on the P-Hop board on Ravelry this evening, but if you like the look of it, just leave me a comment! It’s yours for a donation (see the button in my sidebar for more details about P-Hop).  The Ally Pally one is going to be frogged, and I’m going to make something drapey from the yarn instead.  I’ve previously used Scrumptious to make a lovely scarf, so I know what the yarn can do given half the chance.

Who knows, I might even knit with it….

And just in case this post is seeming a bit grumpy, look at these amazing colours on the tree in the courtyard where I took my pictures.

There’s a lot I don’t like about this time of year, but cold clear days and beautiful colours are something by way of compensation.

To see if other folk had more successful weeks, head over to Tami’s Ami’s here or by clicking the picture below.