Pattern: Alpha Chi Cowl
Designer: Meridith Shephard
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto
Needles: Size 3 Cicular
I purchased the Alpha Chi and Infusion Cowl patterns from Meridith on Ravelry. Reasonably priced at $5/each or both for $8, they are a delight to work with. These patterns are extremely well-written. Meridith has "tips" in her patterns and it is easy to follow even for beginning chart readers.
I've been knitting for over 50 years. Admitting this is not easy as I don't feel my age. I will say that this pattern is probably in my top ten favorites.
When I purchase yarn, I want the total experience. I want the colorway I have in mind. If the need arises, I want it to be superwash wool. But most of all, I want it to be soft as it glides through my fingers when I am knitting. Don't tell me that soaking it in hair conditioner after the project is knitted will make it soft. I just want the whole experience from the beginning.
Oh........totally addictive knitting. I was up at 2:00 a.m. a few days repeating to myself like I was in a drunken stupor........"just one more row".
Stranded knitting (Fair Isle) is my favorite type of knitting. The fact that this cowl is reversible makes for a very "neat" look. Two rows of garter stitch makes for a nice, sharp fold to the cowl. The first part of the chart requires a little more attention but is certainly not difficult. The second part of the chart is intuitive and you can move right along.
Happy Knitting!
