Sunday Musings: Spring has sprung

And why a knitted cowl is always your friend

There’s nothing better than a Sunday morning walk to clear the cobwebs and after the cold, rainy weather of the last few days it was a welcome sight to see the sun shining in through my bedroom window. Spring was most definitely in the air and the gorgeous displays of spring flowers I saw certainly helped lift my spirits!

My Seif cowl in Arrakis by Skeinhawk Yarns by a bed of gorgeous spring flowers

But this time of year brings several dilemmas for us yarn crafters. Not only do we start wondering what to knit and what weight yarns to start using as the weather begins to improve, but we also have to start thinking about which of our knitted delights are washed and put away for the season, which will be coming out of storage and which ones can stay out.

This morning I knew it was still chilly as I let Willow out into the garden whilst I got ready, but as I looked at some my big scarves like Oxford and Barchan it struck me that whilst I would still be wearing one of my bigger coats, they could make me too warm! So I turned to my pile of cowls and selected my bright and cheery Seif cowl.

Now cowls are brilliant accessories. They’re generally small and lightweight and they look great. From a knitters point of view they don’t use up much yarn, they are quick to knit and they are perfect to pop into a project bag for when you’re out of the house and need a distraction. You can knit them flat or you can knit them in the round. They’re great gift knits (for yourself or for others)! Plus it doesn’t really matter what time of year it is, you’re unlikely to get the knit sweats knitting a cowl! But it’s at this time of year when the weather and temperatures can’t quite make up their minds…and similarly throughout autumn…that cowls really come into their own from the wearer’s point of view.

Because this small piece of undoubtedly beautifully knitted fabric that sits happily around your neck, is like an on/off switch of cosiness. When it’s chilly, you pop it on. When you’re too warm, you pop it off and put in your pocket or bag ready for when you need them again. And they’re handsfree! You just pop them on and off and they don’t move. There’s no tugging to even up the sides or losing one side over your shoulder or any of the malarkey that can get you flustered when you’re out for a walk or popping to the shops.

Oh and if you’re working from home or curled up on the sofa in your pjs knitting away whilst watching a movie and you don’t want to put the heating on then cowls are great for that too!

In short, what’s not to love about them?

So if you don’t have one of these most useful of accessories in your wardrobe, I would urge you to consider casting one on soon. I promise you won’t regret it. You might just end up with a few of them!

Until next time…