Ingenuity
The cowl is done. Let me be more specific. The first cowl is done. A second version of it is currently on my needles and fighting me, but we’ll talk about that later. But the first cowl is done, which means it needed to be blocked.
This is harder than you might think. The most obvious approach would be to pin it out flat. But that will give it a crease on each side where it’s folded (not a big deal for a sweater, but annoying in a cowl). I considered stretching it over the dress form’s shoulders and pinning out the points, but that seemed inexact. I considered making some sort of tube out of blocking mats, but that was both hard and inexact. And neither method really took into account the taper of the piece (the bottom is one third wider than the top).
In the end, I did something decidedly odd, but quite effective. It looked a little something like this.
That’s blocking wires run through the points on the top and bottom (mine are from Inspiknity and I love them). They try to spring back out straight and the pressure from that pulls the knitting into a nice, even circle. That held the top and the bottom out, but I still needed the stuff in the middle kept under a bit of tension, so I made some crossbeams out of my longest, smallest knitting needles and suspended the whole thing over a roll of paper towels. The weight of the bottom provided the right tension for the middle.
Photogenic? No, not even a little. It looks like it might be auditioning for the title of Ugliest Lampshade Ever. I even matched my binder clips to my yarn. It didn’t help. But it worked like a champ.
Now, to see if I can make the second version do something I like as much.
I think you might be a genius!
Just persistent…and possessed of engineering tendencies.
I love all of it – the cowl, the yarn, and especially the blocking arrangement! And it shows off the capabilities of those blocking wires wonderfully well. (I also have a set and love the flexibility.)
If I wanted to swatch a yarn (or three) to hold in reserve for this cowl, would the stitch pattern from Watchet be a reasonably good test? I can tell they’re not the same, but perhaps similar enough to test the pooling of the yarn?
Can’t wait for this pattern to come out. 🙂
They are an awful lot alike, aren’t they? It’s just such a fun and easy stitch to play with!
So the biggest question for pooling would actually be how big around the piece is (and so how much yarn you use per round). But that changes as you work the piece (the bottom is bigger than the top, which I think makes cowls way easier to wear). So in theory, pooling/flashing shouldn’t be too much of an issue (though there’s always a yarn out there to challenge every theory).
But yes, if you were just itching to have something similar as soon as possible, playing with Watchet would get you on the right track!
That is some rock star blocking! Very impressive.
I just got some of the ultra fine Inspiknity wires, and they make a lovely scallop! Are yours also the ultra fine, or heavier?
I have both but these are the thicker ones!
A beautiful example of form following function so yes your blocking arrangement is beautiful. And you added to our body of knowledge so another great plus.
I’m always looking for good patterns that won’t pool. Obviously this a such a winner. Can’t wait for it to come out. A whirling vortex. Very “stellar”.
Pat
Thank for the link to the wires. I love your solution
At first I thought it was a vase, but paper towels are so much more accessible.
I have never known anyone who is so dedicated to blocking. I kind of love you for it. I do also think you’re a little bit nuts.