this is a bit of a fun post for me today!  i did something i've never done before.  i wrote out a little knitting pattern.  now...first off, i am by no means a knitting designer.  i simply just couldn't find what i was looking for on ravelry after hours of hunting.  i had a skein of the yarn i used for the gap-tastic cowl left over and was dying to whip up another cowl with it.  i wanted something warm, not too long (take flight off the girls..wink wink), but not too short (needed to cover my v-neck top openings) and i wanted texture but a quick knit.  i was also looking for something that had a bit of drape but was also sturdy enough to stand up on it's own.  i sketched out the illustration beside the pattern below and voila, the carefree cowl was born!  i love it and it's rolly polly goodness. my newest cowl was made for our carefree cowl knitalong.


now, none of you may want to make this and that's ok :)  i simply thought hey, i wrote it out while i was knitting it so i could make it again if i liked it and i like it so what's the fun in keeping it to myself...we like to share around the mommyhood here.  so here's the little pattern if you would like to make one for yourself.  i also named it the carefree cowl because i was feeling very carefree when i wrote up the pattern.  it's something i've never done before and i just winged it and boy was it fun!  i hope you guys have fun with it!


Carefree Cowl Pattern


* Download pdf now .  Pattern notes and more can be found on the ravelry pattern page here.


Yarn: 1 Skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, 108yds/170grams
Needle: 6.00mm 24"Circular
Gauge:  8sts=4inches
This cowl could be made at more than one gauge.  Switch up the yarn and the needle size, add on more stitches to make a longer cowl that could be worn wrapped as well just take care to make sure you cast on an even number.  I think the stitch pattern could look lovely on all sorts of weights of yarn and needle size.  So get carefree and whip one up to suit your stash and drape preferences.
Finished Measurement: 8.5"H x 27"W (full loop unstretched)
Abbreviations:  YO=Yarn Over K2TOG=Knit 2 stitches together knitwise.

 Cast on  loosely 64sts using the long tail cast on method. Join in the round being careful not to twist stitches.  Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of your round.
Rounds1-4: Knit.
Round 5: Purl.
Rounds 6-8: Knit
Round 9: Purl
Rounds 10-12: Knit
Round 13: Purl
Rounds 14 & 15: Knit
Round 16: YO, K2TOG* repeat to end of round ending with a K2TOG.
Rounds 17 & 18: Knit
Round 19: Purl
Rounds 20-22: Knit
Round 23: Purl
Rounds 24-26: Knit
Round 27: Purl
Rounds 28-30: Knit
Round 31: Purl
Bind off very loosely. Weave in ends and sport your cowl!


so exciting and fun!  i'm having such a wonderful time with this kal and you guys are AHHHHMAZING!  i cannot believe how gorgeous all of your cowls are and how supportive and helpful you have all been to each other.  so much so that a lot of you are on your 3rd and 4th cowls too!  you guys rock!!!!  i'm definitely going to be doing a post showing off all your handiwork on the blog very soon.


for those of you who are wanting to join in our carefree cowl knit along and haven't yet there is still time!  you can join in anytime before the deadline which is november the 9th.  sign up here:


and you can follow along with all things " carefree cowl knit along" here:


feel free to add any pics you like to the flickr group and the ravelry thread.  we love seeing your progress, yarn pics and finished items! it's been so exciting watching all your lovely cowls being made! happy knitting my dears :)  make sure you head over to my partner in crime - rebecca's blog "nook" to check out her fabulous bandana cowl! so pretty!


and don't forget to pop over and show some love to our carefree cowl knit along sponsor:

and yep, i'm sporting another bun in the pics above...this mama's got bad hair happening daily right now and that's why she's headed to the hairdressers tonight to get fixed up.  i mean, dirty, grown out, filled with baby food hair is just not cool..lol...no matter how you try to style it.  how have your cowls been coming along?  are any of you non knitters out there thinking about joining in?  a cowl is a great beginner project to start with! show off your cowls and link up below!