yarn + lace + jacket = love.

Hello! How are things? Are you good? Are you in the midst of winter? We … are not. In the midst of winter, I mean. Before you get jealous of our warm weather, let me assure you that actually, I would prefer colder weather at this point. There is something to be said for actually having FOUR seasons … for example, being able to wear all those warm woollies we make! Over the past little while, I have come to the conclusion that knitting items more appropriate for our climate is necessary – otherwise stuff just doesn’t get worn.

For example, my ‘winter jacket’ that I practically live in is actually just a lined rain jacket. I do have a down-filled tunic-length winter coat but that is for when we go to Toronto in the winter.

As well, I had bought skein of Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts Superwash BFL DK at Knit City back in October 2014. In keeping with my long wools theme this winter, I decided that I really wanted to knit it up into something but I only had one skein. I didn’t want house or bed socks because quite frankly, it is way too warm for those! I looked through my favourites on Ravelry and came across another Lisa Mutch pattern that I had saved a while ago. You may remember my handspun Christmas Shawl was a Lisa Mutch pattern.

Pattern: Ingot by Lisa Mutch of Northbound Knitting

Yarn: Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts Superwash BFL DK in Frolic

Needles: 8.00mm 24” square circulars

I was very skeptical that this would turn out. It is knit on such HUGE needles that I couldn’t imagine it would have any shape. It doesn’t really but it is actually really nice! I stretched it out as much as I could when blocking because I knit I’ll wear it doubled around my neck mostly.

As you can see, the lace pattern compliments this variegated yarn perfectly. I was worried there was too much going on but it worked out to showcase the yarn, which I was hoping for in the end. AAAND … it works perfectly with my jacket both looped double and left hanging. I like the effect of both, actually:

Sorry for the dress form photos – we have had some gorgeous natural light and M isn’t home in the day to help photograph! I have to work with what I’ve got ;)

You can see in the last photo there how long the cowl really is – it’s quite huge! I am a big fan of oversized lace so this (hopefully) will see lots of wear. Unfortunately, in keeping with my long wools study, I can’t really make much comment on the BFL because the yarn is superwash. I find superwash makes yarns all the same – it takes away some of the lovely differences that differentiates them from one another. That said, this yarn has lovely sheen. Would I buy it again? Absolutely, in its non-superwash cousin although luckily, I didn’t have a reaction. I’m just hoping I don’t have any reaction while wearing it, either!

Have you spent any time lately knitting outside your comfort zone? How did it go? Huge disaster or great success?!

Happy (non-comfort-zone) knitting :)