Dreaming of Pantone - Contest Alert!

I had one weird dream last night.

It's interesting how my dreams stem from simple little conversations I have had throughout the day. The thoughts must stay in my subconscious, and usually turn out weird during my REM sleep. This one however, was interesting-weird.

I had a dream last night that I was back at University of Bologna (insert big music festival in Bologna last night, and a conversation I was having with a co-worker about keeping my options open about going back to school). While I was in Bologna/Dreamland, I was filling out a survey about which Pantone (www.pantone.com) colour I would associate with the following:

- Vacation
- Boyfriend/Love
- Best Friend

This is the weird part. I actually chose the Pantone colour by number. Now, in order to write this post I had to verify my dream accuracy. I don't remember the exact number I chose, but I do remember the exact shade.

- Vacation - 15-5819 TCX Spearmint
- Boyfriend - 12-4608 TCX Clearwater
- Best Friend - 15-3910 TCX Languid Lavender

Now, if you're asking "who" or "what" Pantone is - here is a quick breakdown. Pantone is the leading worldwide colour authority for colour. The company has given a numerical code to almost every colour imaginable to the human eye. If you want to paint your car or house a specific colour, just walk into a paint store and request Pantone colour # and voila - your car or house will be THE EXACT colour.

So, back to my story. Since I woke up thoroughly inspired, I decided to host my first ever cowl contest!

The Pantone-Cowl Contest

The Grand Prize will be a City Cowl ($50 value) in as close as possible to one of the Pantone colours you chose).



The City Cowl - more colours to chose from!

 The criteria for entering the contest are as follows:

1. Leave a comment on this blog posting stating your top three Pantone colours - and why. You can search through the Pantone website for this - it's actually much more fun than it sounds.
2. "Like" my Facebook page "The Little Cowl Company"
3. Follow me on Twitter (@thelittlecowlco)
4. "Share" the link for this blog posting on Twitter - and of course link my account!
5. Of course, follow the blog!

The more criteria met, the better your chance at winning! The Contest will close on Monday April 1st at 11:59pm EST. I will chose a winner using www.random.org and will announce the winner on the blog.

Good luck to all who enter, I can't wait to hear all your feedback!

Swap Shop Eat

So, I'm officially addicted to swaps.

I've participated in three so far, and have to tell you - they are so much fun!

The latest was with my local knitting group - we decided back in September to do a swap, and have been working away at it ever since. We are a group of about five ladies, and have gotten to know each other quite well over the past couple of years. We're all on Ravelry, and all share our favourite yarns, patterns, ideas etc at our bi-weekly knit nights. We decided to have our swap coincide with Chinese New Year so we would have hopefully jumped over the Christmas rush. We planned a downtown date - brunch at my favourite French bistro, Bonjour Brioche (812 Queen St E) and then off for some yarn shopping at the Purple Purl (1162 Queen St E). 

On my way to swap day!

My swap partner likes coral colours and natural fibres, and doesn't like knitting with chunky yarns herself - so I had a pretty good idea of what I was going to make her. This came with it's fair share of hiccups, though. I initially was going to knit her the Gaptastic Cowl (find the pattern on Ravelry). It is an extra chunky infinity scarf in a seed stitch pattern. I thought it would have been perfect for her - until she showed up at a knit night wearing it! Her daughter had made one in a lovely Raspberry chunky yarn, and it looked wonderful on her. I was about a month away from the swap deadline - and beginning to panic.

I decided to knit her the Clara cowl (also a free pattern on Ravelry) by designer Gretchen Ronnevic. It's a giant cable, and ends up looking like a braid. There is an option to double up and make it an infinity scarf, but I thought the beauty of the detail would have been lost, so I stuck to the original pattern dimensions. I used Diamond Brand Baby Alpaca Sport in a Chunky weight. Here's the finished project below:

Clara Cowl in Coral Alpaca

Clara Cowl in Coral Alpaca

I included the Ravelry anniversary project bag and Closely Knit by Hannah Fattig (who I found out, is my swap partners favourite designer!). I also gave her some extra yarn (about a full skein minus a few yards) so she could make a matching headband or fingerless mitts. Thank goodness she liked the gift (she wouldn't take the cowl off!) and I was in awe of what I received.

The first thing I opened was the book - The Knitter's Life List by Gwen Steege. This book is like a bucket list for knitters - yarns, patterns, ideas etc. It is a crucial step in any knitter's path to becoming a capital-K Knitter. Next was Americo Copito Medio yarn (think "Thick & Thin" but way more luxurious) in a gorgeous eggplant/plum colourway. It came with a hat pattern, which is perfect since I need a hat! I save the best for last...she knit me "Celebrating Azzu's Shawl" by Emma Fassio. The shawl was born out of two friends brought together by knitting - PERFECT! It was knit with Madeline Tosh Tosh Lace in Composition Book Grey. Everything about this shawl is perfect - the idea and thought behind it, colourway, superwash, detail, and love put into every knit, purl and YO.

Celebrating Azzu's Shawl

Swap day is here!

Perfection. I am in love with everything!

To close, I hope everyone reading this has an opportunity at one point in their knitting lives to participate in a swap. Giving something you made to someone else who appreciates all the work and love you put into it is priceless. Receiving something directly related to your knitting passion is wonderful, but most of all - sharing the experience with close friends is incomparable.

Happy swapping and of course, happy knitting!

With love,

Little Miss Cowl Co

Sandra Singh Giveaway!

Hi All!

I thought I would let you, my devoted followers, know of a giveaway going on! There's not much time left to sign up, so read fast and get cracking.

Sandra Singh, a wonderful designer of knitwear and yarns, has posted a super cool giveaway on her blog! She recently designed a cowl called "On The Hudson" - and apart from doing a KAL (Knit A Long) starting February 11th, she has a contest where one lucky winner will not only win the pattern for the cowl, but ALL THE YARN YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE IT! Oh my, I checked out the yarn and had a very hard time deciding what my choice of yarn would be.

You can see her yarn at sandrasingh.com (I chose berry hues: Bollywood Fountain Scene, Midnight Blue, Royalty and my favorite, La Boheme).

You can sign up for the contest by following the instructions from her blog:

http://knittingwithsandrasingh.blogspot.ca/2013/01/on-hudson-pattern-kit-giveaway.html

Have fun, and post a comment on my blog to let me know how much competition I will have (if you signed up for it, that is).

Enjoy, and happy knitting!

Love,

Little Miss Cowl Co

Fibre Follies

Hi, and Happy New Year!

As promised, I am back to blogging promptly after the holidays. I got some awesome knitting swag, worked on some projects - and made some knitting plans for 2013.

If you read my previous post, you would know that I was in a mad knitting frenzy before Christmas. I managed to finish the most adorable cowl/hood and the baby llama blue cowl.

The Burton Bear Cowl was knit on US 13 circular needles with Filtes Van Dyck alpaca/wool/acrylic blend in Black. I knit the ears on straight needles instead of DPN's, which was fast and easy for me. I found two medium size buttons that somewhat matched the suggested button in the pattern, and voila. Cutest. Cowl. Ever. I made it in the child/toddler size, but am seriously contemplating making it in the adult size for myself.

Now, as much as I despise "bathroom shots" - I find them vain - I had no choice. I had to document the adorable cowl before I gifted it. So, you will see me wearing a child's size cowl, and will also catch a glimpse of my sweet sweet Missoni hand towels in the background.

On a more sour note though, I did not manage to complete my boyfriend's scarf. The yarn - which is classified as worsted but is more like a DK - is beautiful, but on a US 5 needle, it's taking me forever to complete. I actually had to switch needles (long story), and it's going a bit faster now.

Speaking of said boyfriend, he gifted me with a gorgeous interchangeable needle set from Knit Picks. I *may* have dropped not-so-subtle hints, but hey, it worked. The set is Harmony wood, and just a dream to work with. So, I put the scarf on those needles and it's been a lot more fun to knit up.

My 2013 knitting plans include a few headbands for January baby birthday gifts, and hopefully to finish this scarf, knit up some cute sweaters and cardigans for myself, and try to use up the awesome stash I have. I have a sneaking feeling that 2013 may be a bit of an expensive year.

Have a wonderful wonderful wonderful New Year - and check me out on Ravelry for knitting news, my queue, stash and fibre follies (user name is, you guessed it, thelittlecowlco).

Much love,

Little Miss Cowl Co.

Christmas Knitting Frenzy

Hi All!

So I said in my previous post that I would check back after Christmas...but I really need to get this off my chest. I am once again in a Christmas knitting frenzy.

Last year, I had just started up my Little Cowl Co, and was so swamped with orders I was pulling all nighters, knitting at red lights, stuck in traffic etc. It was horrible. I even brought my knitting to a bar on a Friday night because I had deadlines. This year has calmed down a bit, but I am still on a December 24th deadline for three projects.

The first is a simple cowl - I'm using Mirasol Miski in dye lot 77315 - a lovely blue with red undertones. It's worsted weight, and I'm used to bulky, so I'm hoping to get this done within an evening of Christmas specials.

The second, a gift for a friend's daughter is the most adorable cowl/hood pattern (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-burton-bear-cowl). I haven't started, and will be seeing them next week. I will be knitting it in a lovely alpaca/wool/acrylic blend with two medium size wood buttons to finish. I was almost done when I had to frog the entire thing (I misread the hood pattern, and got so frusterated that I decided to start fresh and calm). I think I THINK this can get done in three evenings. One for the neck portion, one for the hood portion, one for the ears, seams, button, weaving etc.

The third is the stressful one. It's a surprise Christmas gift for my boyfriend is the New York Scarf (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/new-york-scarf---a-guys-woolie-warmer). I chose Illimani Yarn Baby Llama in the most interesting shade of grey/brown. It looks grey beside grey and brown beside brown. It's super soft, but for a worsted weight, it feel and knits up more like a DK. I'm 6 inches in, and have 59 inches left to go. I timed my rows, and I average about 2 mins 45 secs per row. This leaves me approximately 21 hours of knitting left to do. Doesn't seem like much, you say? Over the 12 days left until Christmas Eve, that leaves me about 2 hours a day of knitting. Did I mention that I do actually have contact with my boyfriend, meaning the scarf has to go on the backburner while he's around. This equates to me being screwed.

So, those are my three knitting dilemmas. Help. Me.

Signing off and saying a little prayer that I get it all done and have some amount of sanity left over,

Little Miss Cowl Co.

Swap...chocolate edition!

Happy two-weeks till Christmas!

Recently I decided to participate in another swap, all through Ravelry.com (hands down my favourite website in the whole world). It was with the "Caffeine Addicts" group again - since  coffee is truly the most beautiful gift one can give and receive. It is the gift that keeps on giving. It is relief on an early morning, comfort in frustrating times...it's basically the drinkable equivalent to a hug.

I didn't have a lot of time to prepare for the swap - as we had about two weeks to make and ship our packages, and I was in the middle of preparing for a HUGE artisan show here in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). I made my tried and tested comfy squishy cowl in a lovely alpaca, wool and acrylic blend yarn from Italy. I had a bit of leftover, and decided to make a matching coffee traveller mug cozy in the same material and pattern (I thought it would be cute...like a mini-me cowl!).

Based on some quick questions to my swap partner, I chose a lovely hand-dyed New Zealand wool in jewel/autumn tones, some Italian chocolate (I'm biased to my own, if I'm gonna be honest here), and some tasty coffee. Here is the link to the picture of what I sent..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55305309@N06/8189090867/

Now, let's get serious. What I got in return was INSANE. Just ridiculously luxurious and thoughtful and downright spectacular. Let's start with the top left and work our way clockwise. Sit down, if you're not already. This is gonna get good.

YARN. Kettle dyed, sustainably produced chunky yarn. I'm not sharing, nor am I knitting something for someone else with this. Next, Amish Pumpkin butter. It's almost gone. I made scones. Beside that is probably the second best coffee that has ever touched my lips. Second of course to some coffee truck on Wall Street a few years ago, but that's besides the point. Next (you're looking at the centre-right now), is lots of chocolate, pretty little tissue pack, and a card describing everything. Bottom right, you're looking at my very own pair of Raccoon fingerless mitts, tails and everything. I am currently obsessed, and wearing them now since it's pretty cold in this office of mine. Bottom centre, Chocolate cook book. My boyfriend will be happy, since I have made it my life's mission to prepare every single thing in that book. Last but definitely not least, a local magazine from St. Louis, Missouri. 

If you, dear reader, are a knitter or crocheter, and not currently on Ravelry.com, I highly recommend it. Not only do you get to interact with fellow crafters', but you get the opportunity to participate in so many different things, help with patterns, yarns, stores, and well, it's just paradise.

I'm off for now, I will check back after Christmas and keep you all updated on my Knitting Group Swap and other knitting adventures I find myself in!

Signing off,

Little Miss Cowl Co.

Busy Bee

Hi and Happy Victoria Day to all my lovely followers!

I have taken a little (ok, substantial) hiatus from the blog to knit my little fingers off! I've decided to participate in not one, but two craft/artisan shows! So the past few months have been crazy in terms of choosing and buying the perfect yarn, knitting and blocking, preparing displays, and all other fun stuff associated with the excitement of an artisan fair!

I found a perfect wonderful cushy yarn...something I have been looking for! It's a lovely mix of wool, alpaca, and acrylic. The vast array of colours available is incredible...something for everyone (among other colours are orange, pink, fuchsia, lime green, purple for the adventurous crowd, brown, cream, black, grey, navy and charcoal for the tame)! The new "City Cowl" will be introduced at the Kleinburg Binder Twine Festival on Saturday September 8th. The Little Cowl Co. will have a booth, so stop by say hi to Little Miss Cowl Co. and pick up a cowl! 

If you would like a little sneak preview, the classic "Genesis Cowl" will be sold at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church annual craft fair on Saturday June 16th. It's the perfect way to try out the cowl before you buy it! Colours available will be: Black, Navy, Denim, Wheat, and Grey Marble.

Hope to see everyone at the fairs!

Loves,

Little Miss Cowl Co.

Cowl Trend

So yesterday I was driving around downtown Toronto. I much prefer walking...in the summer, but that's not the point.

As I was stuck in traffic waiting to get on to the highway, I had nothing else to do other than listen to some Italian music, curse the cyclists touching my car, and people watch. I noticed a gorgeous array of (mostly) women wearing splendid cowls. Long, short, and bulky, these cowls colouring the streets of Toronto made me so happy.

It was a bit curious, as I have had to explain to many people what, exactly a cowl is. So to see so many people wearing them made me kinda excited. They're becoming mainstream!!

If you, my lovely reader, was wondering what a cowl is, let me break it down for you again (in the words of Lauryn Hill). A cowl is a neckwarmer. Ever looked at or bought a sweater or top with a "cowl neck"? It's kind of a slouchy neckline, with the fabric gently draping over the chest area. It is not v-neck, or scoop, or boat-neck...as it is not structured. It usually hangs at or below the collar bone, and tends to be quite flattering.

A cowl, therefore, has the same draping effect, but it's goal is to warm the neck and upper chest in a non-structured and effortless way. There are a million and one different types of cowls...in a million and one different types of fabrics. It's just a matter of finding one that suits you.

Check out my website: http://www.facebook.com/thelittlecowlcompany for an idea of what types of cowls I create!

Allow me to Introduce myself...

Happy almost Friday to you all & welcome to my blog!

Let's get this party started off on the left foot (I'm left handed so I work that way).

I knit. I love it, I crave it, I need it in my life. I started not too long ago with the classic beginner garter stitch scarf, and soon found my passion to be cowls. I quickly found them to be not only addictive to knit up, but to hoard...um...keep, as well. Every cowl has such a wonderful story, and I follow Michaelangelo's famous words (paraphrasing of course): "there's a wonderful cowl in each ball of yarn...it's just a matter of me setting it free". Ok, well he said that about sculpting out of Carrara marble, but you get the jist of it.

I'm 26, enjoy a stereotypical night of greasy chinese food, romantic chick flick (or action movie depending on the company I chose to keep) and my snuggie. I do enjoy the occasional night on the town, and have been ever-so-politely told that my knitting might be getting in the way of me finding a husband. It's a wonderful dose of reality, really. Thankfully though, I have a wonderful group of friends who give me kinder reality checks: "If I catch you home on a Friday or Saturday night because you have to knit, I'm going to come over and pull you out by your pajama pants". It's a fantastic scare tactic, and thankfully my friends have not had to resort to that as of yet.

I started a small, word-of-mouth and Facebook based company in which I hand make custom knit cowls. I've truely found my calling, and would have much rather figured this out before I spent 6 years in university toiling away at a Masters degree that soaked up all the blood, sweat and tears I have to offer. But hey, way she goes, right!?

Anyhoo, keep up with my blog for info, tips, tricks, pics, and patterns of my various knitting adventures!