Swirling Tendrils Cowl
Cable a cowl with confidence!
Do you love the look of cables? Whether you are a beginning cabler or a seasoned veteran, my Swirling Tendrils Cowl will delight you with its curvaceous cables!
Worked using just one skein of luxurious fingering weight yarn and large needles, this cowl promises to knit up quickly and teach you a few new skills along the way.
This workshop features an in-depth techniques section, where I demonstrate the six unique increases and decreases used in the formation of the curly cables, as well as detailing the two cable stitches (yep, only two!) used throughout the pattern.
Together, we'll knit the project round-by-round with progress photos keeping you right on track, and if you have any questions I'll be right here to answer them for you! By the end of class, you'll have a fabulous cowl that looks much harder than it really is. . .but don't worry - I won't tell if you don't!
Click to enlarge
Category:
Knitting
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Basic Skills Necessary:
- Knit
- Purl
- Cable stitches
- Using stitch markers
- Basic increasing
- Basic decreasing
- Working in the round
Includes:
- Pattern & instructions
- Help from pattern designer anytime!
- Step-by-step photos
You Will Need:
- Approximately 375 yards/100 grams fingering weight yarn (Sample shown in Anzula Luxury Fibers Haiku; 70% Merino, 20% Bamboo, 10% Nylon, 450 yards per 110 gram skein; 1 skein Breeze)
- US 4/3.5 mm 24-inch circular needle
- US 6/4 mm 32-inch circular needle
- Cable needle
- 3 Stitch markers, 1 distinguishable for beginning of round
- Blunt needle
- Scissors
About the Designer:
TheSexyKnitter
Hi! I'm Sarah Wilson, also known as the Sexy Knitter. I started crafting at a very young age and have tried a little bit of almost everything - sewing, quilting, cross-stitch, needlepoint, embroidery, crewel, plastic canvas, weaving, knitting, crochet, beading, jewelry making...the list goes on. These days, I am a full-time knitwear designer whose work has been seen in publications like Interweave Knits, Knitty.com, Knitscene Magazine, The Knitter, Your Knitting Life, and more! You can find me online at sexyknitter.com, or on social networking sites (like Twitter, Ravelry, and Etsy) as TheSexyKnitter.
Reviews of this Workshop
January 3, 2013
tadrake
The design for this cowl is a fun one, love the swirls. Any complaints I have would be towards myself for not making a swatch. I have found I knit slightly tighter than the designer and have made the cowl a little smaller than intended. The turnout was still beautiful.
August 31, 2012
sonya.walkup@att.net
I did not complete this project. I've never done a knitalong before so I thought I'd give it a try. As some other reviewers noted, the yarn is beautiful, but when I saw the pattern, I was disappointed. In that, I'm thankful that it wasn't a complete mystery knit-along as some other reviewers suggested it should have been. I'm not that into cowls and I thought that doubling this beautiful yarn to get something like a worsted weight would not use it to its best advantage. So I made a ...
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Swirling Mess and a waste of my time, but the yarn is LOVELY August 28, 2012
stitchingmama
Aug 23, 2012: Finally decided to get this started tonight, sat down with my Smooshy wound into a nice ball, and lo and behold,the pattern calls for 2 strands of the yarn. So I wound another ball of Smooshy and then decided that this Ranco would make a great first try of this pattern. Supposedly a very easy knit so just what I need for the weekend. I will post photos as I go.
Aug 24, 2012: OK, maybe I was just having a bad knitting day yesterday. but I've got to tell you the written ...
Late yarn, disappointing pattern August 22, 2012
Maltiriel
This was a disappointing experience all around. My yarn arrived late, and the customer service reps repeatedly told me "it's not a problem" because the workshop is available forever. Great, except I signed up for this because I wanted the experience of knitting along with everyone else from the beginning, so it IS a problem.
Then the pattern was posted all at once, unlike every other mystery knit-a-long of which I've ever heard. All the MKALs I know of post a few rows at a time so ...
Great time! August 14, 2012
Kelly M.
I had a great time with this workshop. It really pushed me to expand my repertoire and I'm so happy with the results. The instructor was super helpful and very nice.
Happy as can be! August 12, 2012
Domicroche
This was a challenging project for me, and I have learnt tons in the process. I was a late starter to this KAL, but really benefitted from everyone's questions and comments while working on this cowl. I really enjoy these Craftsy workshops and the Mystery Knit-alongs. It's true the mystery doesn't last very long, but it really makes me commit to making and learning, rather then just staying in my comfort zone. It's also been a wonderful way to discover new yarns and designers - I'm officially ...
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July Mystery KAL August 8, 2012
SharonH719
This was my first (and likely my last) mystery KAL. When the yarn arrived I was thrilled! I could not wait to see what it was about to become. When July finally arrived and I saw the pattern, I was disappointed.
I did choose a yarn from my stash to go ahead and knit the cowl because I did not want to dismiss it out of hand. It took about five days to complete and is not something I would knit again.
At some point I will turn that lovely yarn into a beautiful shawl. In ...
Fun project! August 4, 2012
Purrfect Knittr
Enjoyed working on this. I struggled with the no cable needle technique but finally got comfortable with it. I'm on to the Aug knit-along.
July 31, 2012
sbernadt
This is also my first workshop and I agree with some of the others - I would not choose this pattern for myself BUT I did learn alot. New stitches, new yarn winding and to keep on going to the end. I loved the yarn, color and the ease of the directions. I am an intermediate knitter and very busy in the summer so I thought the length of time to finish this project was just right. I have so many UFOs - but I completed this project. YAY!! Thanks for the lessons.
Fun project, great instructor July 31, 2012
Greenbeanie
This was a fun and unusual cable knitting project, that was quick to knit up. I consider myself an intermediate knitter, and the cabling was a bit challenging at first. Otherwise it was pretty simple. Now my friends are fighting over who gets the cowl!
Swirling Tendrils Cowl July 28, 2012
Spalover
I agree with previous reviewers I signed up for the mystery, as in you only get parts of the design at a time, and was disappointed that there was no mystery involved. SexyKnitter was amazingly available and helpful for those with questions. I would like to see some choice in yarn color at sign up as I certainly can never wear baby blue and will have no choice but to gift the object to someone who can. I started as a very experienced knitter so there wasn't anything new for me but it was a fun ...
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Disappointed in the Pattern Choice July 24, 2012
Raptorhaven
This is something I would never wear nor give away. My first thought was "bacon neck." So I am using this lovely yarn to do the alternate suggestion, the shawl pattern. And it is turning out beautifully! I'll send a pic soon.
Java cowl July 23, 2012
Luvalaska
Completed the project. I wish it wasn't as bulky but it will work for a colder season. I have had the pattern in my library for over a year. I don't think I would make another one. That being said, I did enjoy learning a few new stitches and it is a pretty color.
Too much...didn't even begin....:( July 22, 2012
DancingLeaf
I was eager for the KAL, but when the pattern was posted my bubble burst...I've never knitted with circular needles and never made a yarn ball so I could knit using double strands...I agree with one of the other knitters, maybe there should be a choice of skill levels to choose from using the same yarn and announce in advance what materials will be needed (I for one didn't have the circular needles for this project). I'm still hopeful and will try the next project...I'm keeping my fingers ...
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a lovey yarn, but a design I would not have chosen July 20, 2012
Caryn312
I loved the look and feel of the yarn, but I would not have selected this design. It was interesting to knit, but it was a bit tedious, since each row was different. I think my project worked as it was designed, but I am.not sure I will wear it. Maybe the real problem is that it is hard to find a design that would appeal to everyone.
Perhaps the surprise kAL would work better if there was still some choice involved. maybe you could choose among three designs for instance.
Craftsy July Mystery Knit-a-long July 19, 2012
marybu
This was my first KAL. I enjoyed the surprise of the yarn and pattern when it arrived in that mail. The instructions were very clear and the designer/instructor, TheSexyKnitter, was very accessible and responded to questions quickly. I learned new-to-me stitches and felt pleasantly challenged. Happily, the yarn color was good for me. I could understand the need for color choice. Thanks for a fun and quick project.
Disappointed July 19, 2012
debwein
This was my first knit-along, and I eagerly looked forward to the experience as I returned home from vacation to find this beautiful yarn in my mailbox - oh, the possibilities! When the pattern was published, however, it became just another project: interesting, but not mysterious. I agree that it would be better done with one strand - the beauty of the yarn seemed to disappear in the pattern. I will probably not buy into future KALs, and will stick with your wonderful classes.
Project done. Thank you July 19, 2012
marthasc
I enjoyed not having to pick a pattern, select the yarn and then deciding when I would start the project (usually a never place in the future). I scheduled July to start and finish the cowl. When I got frustrated, I would read what others had to say. It was great to read that someone else was stuck in the very same place, having the same problems. Thank you for having this workshop.
Lovely, engaging project July 18, 2012
CrystalJoy
I loved this workshop! The "mystery" aspect was very fun though I'll admit, I was a bit intimidated by the pattern at first glance. I read through the workshop, which included photos at each row (extremely helpful), and started the project. I found the pattern to be engaging - holding my attention at each row, and not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. This pattern uses a lot of cables, which is a technique I've wanted to improve on anyway. I've enjoyed reading the class discussion ...
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Loved it!! July 17, 2012
smlaizzi
I loved the yarn and the pattern! Super easy to follow and great tutorials! I only wish it had lasted a little longer!!
Great workshop!! I am so on board for another...... July 17, 2012
karakoolkitty
I had a great time with this workshop! My gorgeous yarn came on time and I had it wound into a ball and ready for when the class went live. The pattern was challenging, interesting and took cabling to a whole new level. I learned so much just by working the "tendrils" portion of the pattern. Every row was different and I looked forward to next. Because the pattern was so interesting - I zoomed through the work and had the cowl finished in days. I am halfway through a second cowl now. I ...
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Review of July Knit-Along: Swirling Tendrils July 17, 2012
KZPow
I enjoyed learning the new techniques and many of them were new to me. IE: cables, extensive pattern following, etc.
I learned alot from the people posting along the way - very beneficial.
I finished in 16 days - not the only item I was knitting either. I thought this would take all month so am a little disappointed that it didn't.
Craftsy July Mystery Knit-a-long July 16, 2012
Tammytal
Yay, I have completed my project: The Swirling Tendrils Cowl. I have rated this a four out of five stars simply because I am not a cowl fan. With that said, the yarn that was sent was beautiful. I wasn't able to use it for my project as my yarn ball winder was defective and gave me a ball of knots, instead of a nice center pull ball. That situation has been rectified. It was taking too long to get the knots out and I wanted to begin my project, so I used another yarn I had on hand. The ...
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Meh July 15, 2012
KerryK
I have finished the project, and have some input. When I received the yarn, I was delighted with the beautiful shine and the subtle color variations. However, the pattern and the yarn are not a good marriage. The cowl has ruffles, and I am typically drawn to cowls that have more 'drape'. I began knitting and since I wound one ball with a center and outside pull, I stopped routinely to untwist the double strands. To me, the double stranded yarn added bulk without design benefit, and ...
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Disappointed July 15, 2012
vconly4yo766675
I would like to have had a choice of yarn color, light blue is not something to go with a lot. The top ruffle is too heavy and will not stand up. It fals over. I think one strand would have made it a little more delicate looking. It is too bulky.
Swirling Tendrils Cowl knit along July 12, 2012
Triviv
I liked the project pretty well, though it didn't feel terribly challenging. I found I had to keep the instructions close by as I could never anticipate what the stitches would be based on the row before. The yarn was very nice to work with and I think I'll enjoy the cowl when it gets cold again.
It might be nice to offer a couple options for the knit alongs to knitters - beginner, intermediate and advanced patterns - maybe using the same yarnâ?¦ Would that be possible.
My thoughts July 12, 2012
llliptak
This is my first ever knit along and over all I enjoyed the experience! The instructions were clear, the yarn was of a high quality, and TheSexyKnitter was amazingly quick with her responses and her help! The experience of reading everyone else's comments and questions was great and it helped me learn alot!
On the flip side, I am very disappointed by the lack of "mystery" in this project. I waited and anticipated the surprise only to be let down when the pattern was posted. I paid ...
Cowl Complete! July 11, 2012
ladyhawk
I finished last night, altering the pattern by leaving off the increased stitches and ruffle. The yarn was great to work with, and the pattern easy to follow. I would love to see other Knit-Alongs from this designer.
Great Experience July 8, 2012
DonnaRHayes
This was my first workshop; I learned new techniques and stitches; the directions and pictures were very easy to follow and very helpful. Really liked your choice for the pattern and materials. \
Great experience all the way around.
july KAL July 8, 2012
Cait77
This was a quick knit. The yarn was lovely to work with, the cowl pattern not one I would typically pick up to knit. Overall, it was a nice knit. I liked having the designer available to answer questions and to get answers/opinions from the other participants. I do kinda wish is was something that might have taken me longer than a few days to knit though. Ahh well..
Swirling Tendrils review July 7, 2012
Knit143
This was my 1st mystery knit-along andI really enjoyed the project and yarn provided for the project. I liked learning (for me), a couple of new stitches and enjoyed the basic ease of the pattern. For future projects similar to this, it would be helpful to emphasize need to do gauge swatch. In reading comments, I noticed it could also be done with knit side out. This would have been nice to include as a post script set of instructions so knitters could do both, or either. Maybe this could ...
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remedial and not exactly a month-long knit-along July 5, 2012
NancyDow
I must admit that I was disappointed by the ease of the pattern and the amount of yarn included in this knit-along. I hardly feel it was worth $30 and this might be my last mystery knit-along.
Also, I posted a comment to the website and it was deleted! What is THAT about? I know it posted because Cait77 posted a response.
Please consider giving knitters a more challenging or at least more worthwhile project (sweater? socks?). I finished this in less than five days.
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