Tag: knit scarf pattern

The Chicago Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern

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I’m always so thankful for the love and support my Etsy customers show me. To show my appreciation I’m offering this knitting pattern for The Chicago Cowl for FREE! Happy Knitting Friends!

THE CHICAGO COWL by Bo Peep’s Bonnets

Materials needed:

  • U.S. 17, 24 or 16 inch circular needles
  • 100 yards of Super Bulky weight yarn in the color Butterscotch (Pictured Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick)
  • 40 yards of Super Bulky weight yarn in the color Wheat (Pictured Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick)
  • Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 2 stitches = 1 inch

PATTERN

With the US 17 needles and the Butterscotch yarn cast on 48 stitches. Join to work in the round being careful not to twist your stitches.

Round 1-4 : *Knit 2, Purl 2 repeat from * all around

Next - Repeat the following Pattern Sequence 6 times

  • Pattern Sequence Round 1: Knit all stitches with butterscotch
  • Pattern Sequence Round 2 -* Knit 1 with wheat, Knit 3 with butterscotch repeat from * all around
  • Pattern Sequence Round 3 - Knit all stitches with butterscotch
  • Pattern Sequence Round 4 - (Knit 2 with butterscotch) *Knit 1 with wheat, knit 3 with butterscotch, *repeat until last two stitches then knit 1 with wheat, knit 1 with butterscotch

After you have repeated the above pattern sequence 6 times knit one round with butterscotch. Next work in a Knit 2 Purl 2 rib for 4 rounds with butterscotch. Bind off all stitches. Weave in all ends.

If you enjoyed this pattern please check out my Etsy shop for more patterns and cozy knits. The sales from my Etsy store completed fund my charity for cancer patients - Hand Knits for Hope. If you or someone you know is currently dealing with hair loss due to cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatments please CLICK HERE to request a free hat for them. XOXO - Bo Peep

 

The Katniss Cowl Coincidence

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Can you believe our best selling Huntress Cowl was actually just a coincidence? It’s true!

Here’s the story. It was early November 2013 and my mother-in-law had graciously volunteered to watch our daughter for a few days so my hubby and I could spend some much needed alone time together.

We put on our finest, hit the town, and partied all night! Just kidding - we sat on the couch, sipped wine, and binged watch Netflix - it was glorious. One night as we were on our sixth episode of Sherlock I decided to knit myself something for once. Am I the only knitter that never knits anything for themselves? What’s up with that?

I had gotten this beautiful pewter yarn at Michaels and was eager to work with it. I whipped up the first huntress cowl in two nights, all the while noting the pattern in my pink psychedelic notebook (you know the kind where you look at it and it looks like it’s spinning - yeah - that’s where I keep all the goods).

I wore it back to Virginia to pick up my daughter. While we were there we stopped to see my grandfather-in-law. He was just the sweetest. He told me he thought the scarf was beautiful. When we got back I thought - hey why not - I’ll list it and make reproductions and see what happens. I called it The Silver Fox.

listing photo

Original listing photo for The Silver Fox

A week or two went by - and no one ordered one. Then it all changed. My girlfriend mentioned this little movie called The Hunger Games (you may have heard of it). She was raving about it so I checked it out. When I saw Katniss’ knit cowl I thought to myself - I think I could wrap my Silver Fox Cowl to look like that… I tried it and - Voila! It worked! It didn’t look exactly the same - but it gave you the same feeling - and it was versatile!

Fast forward and now it’s one of our best sellers, and my original pattern for The Silver Fox turned Huntress Cowl is number one in our shop!

So that’s the back story my friends! That cowl has been such a blessing to us - and to think it was all coincidence…although I have a feeling God had a hand in this one. That pattern came to me so quickly and easily - I think I’ll give the credit to Him 🙂

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The Huntress Cowl Product - https://www.etsy.com/listing/169791485/huntress-cowl-hand-knit-cowl-infinity

The Huntress Cowl Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/170787987/instant-download-knitting-pattern-the?ref=shop_home_feat_2

My design style: As easy as possible for an effect that’s as cool as possible

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People often ask me what is my “design style.” How do you come up with these ideas? How do you make them come to life? What’s your “signature?” What do you want people to think when they hear the name Bo Peep’s Bonnets?

I’ll tell you my friends! I want them to think: That girl creates freaking awesome and original knits in ways that are are so stinkin’ easy. KNITTINGPATTERN

Before I started writing my own patterns I was so discouraged by my lack of pattern reading skills. I would pull up a lacy shawl on Ravelry, take one look at the 5 page, 8 point font pattern that appeared to be written in Chinese and promptly slam my laptop screen closed.

There’s got to be a better way!!!

When I have a vision for a new design my first thought is always - can I do this while a 5 year is tugging on my sleeve, while the phone is ringing, while my husband is rehearsing a monologue in the background, while I have dinner in the oven, and while I have a Barbra Streisand album on full blast (yes that’s right - I’m 28 and I love Barbra Streisand).

If I can’t know where I’m at in a pattern with all that going on - I figure out a different way of designing it. I’ve discovered the best way is to stick with simple stitches, arrange them in new and fresh ways, and most importantly have a pattern that repeats in some form or fashion. Why? Because the more you repeat - the more you naturally memorize what’s written on the page.

A memorized pattern is a good pattern.

I also love when you can take a simple knit shape and fold/sew/button it in such a way that you have a cowl, sweater, shrug, or wrap that requires you to only knit one piece.

Currently I’m working on a shrug that’s just a huge circle. You fold and sew it in such a way that you have a collar - sleeves - and a back! I’m so excited!

I also love knitting for the ones I love. My daughter, hubby, and my two cats Buddy and Harry have inspired some of my best selling creations. I designed my best selling cat hat after a day of snuggled up with my furry friends and watching my favorite Doris Day movie Pillow Talk (that’s right - I’m 28 and I love Doris Day). That design has led me to my biggest project to date - I’ve designed custom cat hats for the upcoming feature film Jem and the Holograms (more about that in a future post)! P1100763

Lastly, I always love to work with super bulky yarn. It’s all the rage right now and I love that it knits up fast. There’s just something about a chunky knit that feels so modern. I love when you can see each big beautiful stitch. I’m a stickler for perfectly even tension. I always say a hand knit item should look like a machine made it but with the love of a persons hands added to the mix. LANCASTERPDF

One more thing - I stay true to myself! I only knit things I would wear. Things I would want my daughter to wear. I truly believe that when you design what YOU love other’s will love it too. Let’s face it - we’re all fabulous in our own ways. We all have something different to offer. I create what I love and I hope you love it too.

You can see all Bo Peep’s designs by visiting her shop - www.etsy.com/shop/BoPeepsBonnets

PATTERN