The Grand Finale: Swirls & Curls!

Are there any words sweeter to a knitter's ear than "100% Cashmere"?  I think not.  

So when I came up with the idea to ask for support from a variety of different yarn companies, approaching Pepperberry Knits, the maker of the 100% cashmere sport & dk-weight mini skein bundles, was a total no-brainer.  

And can you even stand the bright & fun mix of colors in the cowl (above)?  It's the "Urbanite" color way, and I can see why it's a popular seller for Pepperberry Knits.  About 1/4 of the Ravelry project pages that use this yarn have it labeled as being the "Urbanite" colorway!  

 I had so much yardage leftover after making my first sample (the one on the right without the i-cord edge in this photo), that I made a second sample.  This one combined the Pepperberry Knits leftovers with my Sweet Georgia leftovers I still had from my Sweet Stripes legwarmer samples.  I thought the two yarns worked really nicely together. I finished the second cowl off with applied i-cords around the top & bottom edges just as an "alternate ending" to this project.

Below, you'll see a close-up of the two ways you can finish this cowl.  Either just knit it up with the textured edges and be done (right), or work applied i-cords around each edge for a more polished finish (left).

This cowl pattern gives written instructions for things like the cast-on, when to change colors, and how to finish, but the colorwork design itself is charted.  So in order to knit this one, you have to be willing to read a colorwork chart.

Other than that, it's pretty straightforward!  It's knit flat, then seamed with Kitchener stitch.  Video links are included in the pattern to help you along with the techniques that might be less familiar.  If you would like more specifics, you can find them on the Ravelry pattern listing page here.  If you would like to purchase the pattern, remember it's available as a single pdf download, or as part of the Color Packs & Stash Scraps collection!

Many thanks to Heidi at Pepperberry Knits for supporting this project and sending an extra gorgeous bundle of yarn!  I am looking forward to awarding it as one of the prizes for the Color Packs & Stash Scraps Knit-along that will run in the Trappings & Trinkets Ravelry group from January 1st through February 28th.  If you are interested in knitting any project from the entire 13-project collection, please consider joining us!  There aren't any rules or requirements other than 1) Knit anything from the Color Packs & Stash Scraps collection and 2) In order to be entered for prizes, please post a finished photo to the "Finished Projects" thread by February 28th.  Enjoy knitting along with others who might be making the same project as you, or other projects that are made from their favorite mini skein color packs, or are using up some of their lightweight stash leftovers, and you'll also have a place to post where I'll always be checking in to see if I can answer any questions you might have!