Magnolia Handspun has come alive! Right before Thanksgiving, I got some thick-and-thin handspun yarn in my mailbox.
The yarn is created by Camilla Emond, spinner and photographer at Bloom Fine Art in the wilderness of Montana.
Camilla had asked me to create an exclusive pattern for this wonderful new yarn, which I was delighted to do.
During my trip to Aspen for the holiday, I experimented with yarn, and have come up with a simple lace pattern that shows off its texture and color palette to perfection.
I wanted to do lace, because I thought that the large holes created by faggoting stitch (the repetition of yarnovers and knit-2-togethers) would spread out and emphasize the stitches.
I was pleased to see that it also displayed the color-changes of the yarn really well. I came up with exactly what I wanted: a one-skein project for intermediate knitters that would show off the texture, color, and fiber mixture of the yarn to the best advantage. I hope you love it!
How Camilla Creates Magnolia Handspun
Camilla created this yarn (the colorway is called Pomegranate) using Merino wool, Angelina (sparkle) angora locks, and mohair.
Camilla says that angora locks are her favorite type of fiber to use.
The creation of this unique yarn is a three-day process where she works in batches.
She dyes the fibers one day; on the next morning she turns them into roving and in the afternoon spins them into yarn.
On the third day, she washes and hangs the skeins to dry on a clothesline in the sun – she tells me that fresh air is part of the recipe!
Aspen Ice Cowl Pattern by Liat Gat
Materials:
- One skein Magnolia Handspun, or 50-60 yards of super-bulky thick-and-thin yarn
- US Size 15 Needles
- A crochet hook (size J or larger) and scrap yarn for the provisional cast-on
- Scissors, tapestry needle, tape measure
Finished Measurements: Approximately 8 inches tall and 16 inches around.
Notes: The cowl is worked as a flat rectangle and then the cast-on end bind-off ends are seamed up, creating a tube.
Aspen Ice Cowl Pattern Instructions:
Using crochet hook and scrap yarn, use a provisional cast-on to CO 18 sts.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing a provisional cast-on, you can do a regular long-tail cast-on and seam up the edges using mattress stitch.
With Magnolia Handspun, start lace pattern:
Row 1: Sl 1, k2tog, (YO, k2tog) to last st, YO, k1.
Row 2: Purl across.
Row 3: K2tog, (YO, k2tog) to last 2 sts, YO, k2.
Row 4: Purl across.
Repeat Rows 1-4 until work measures 16 inches, ending after finishing Row 3. Leave these sts on the needle for now, and remove provisional cast-on and first purled row (remove all the scrap yarn). Place live sts on the other needle, making sure both needle-tips point in the same direction.
Break yarn, leaving a 4-foot-long tail.
Using tail and a tapestry needle, weave live sts together using Kitchener stitch. This should create an invisible seam and make the pattern continuous throughout the cowl.
Wear and be fabulous!
Remember to link your project to the Aspen Ice Cowl on Ravelry.
Related Pattern: Aspen Ice Hat
16 thoughts on “Aspen Ice Lace Cowl – Designed Exclusively For Magnolia Handspun”
I would like to see the ice cowl laid out flat to see how difficult it would be for me to knit.
By the way love your site.
Hi Myra, thanks for your sweet words about the site redo. :) The ice cowl is very simple – it’s like a scarf that you sew up at the end. If you want, use some leftover yarn to knit the pattern repeat a few times, and you will see that it is just two stitches repeated (you can refer to the knitting videos page if you need demos of the stitches. Then you can try the cowl on some fancier yarn.
I have some fabulous pink yarn just perfect for this!!!! Great design!!!
That’s great! I’d love to see how the finished project turns out. :)
Do you have the hat pattern for the hat that’s shown with the matching cowl in one of the photos above? It’s gorgeous!
Hi Cherie,
No, I’m so sorry! Spinner Camilla Emond from Magnolia Handspun made that hat after I sent her the pattern, and she told me she just wung it, and didn’t write anything down! Many people have asked for that pattern, I’m so sorry I have nothing to give to you!
Hi Cherie,
I wrote up the hat pattern – you can find it at https://www.knitfreedom.com//free-patterns/aspen-ice-hat
I just love this and can’t wait to get my hands on the yarn in order to start. You two are sooooo talented, you make a good team.
Thank you for posting this Liat. X
Yay! She has so many delicious, gorgeous colors to chose from. Can’t wait to see the project on Ravelry!
Please note – the measurements have changed slightly. Knit for 16 inches before seaming! Also, leave plenty of tail for Kitchener stitch. At least 4 feet.
OH WOW!!!! Beautiful pattern to show off that delicious color combo!!
YEAH! I love her yarn and I love the design you made! You two are a match! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!!
It’s lovely, and the pattern appears simple enough. I’ve not yet mastered the provisional cast-on, but I hate seaming enough that I think I’d conquer it in order to knit this. So pretty! :-)
Hi Renna!
I just need to make a video for you on Provisional Cast-On, and one for seaming! They are both fun and easy if you know how to do them right.
I’ve added them to my list!
Liat
**Update** video for the Provisional Cast-On can be found here: https://www.knitfreedom.com//intermediate/provisional-cast-on
Beautiful! Love the colors as well.
Oh
my
dog!
I am speechless.
Liat this is So beautiful- I love your artistry here…just perfect…and it looks so beautiful on you.
Thank you -thank you.