The Night and Day Cowl is Wearable Texture

After seeing the Night and Day Cowl in person at Harrisville Designs in Harrisville, New Hampshire, my daughter requested that I knit it for her. The designer (Andrea Mowry) is not one of my personal favorite designers, but I looked at the cowl and thought it definitely looked easy enough to knit.

The Night and Day Cowl (pattern page on Ravelry) is knit using two contrasting colors of a DK weight yarn. The cowl is knit flat (back and forth) and when finished knitting, one of the short sides is seamed to create the neck opening.

Knit a Swatch

I’ll admit that I do not always knit a swatch, and especially for something like a scarf or cowl. In this case, I suggest you do make that swatch. I had plenty of yarn and it is one reason I decided to swatch. But, making this swatch also gave me a chance to try out the design using the two colors and creating the texture. This is good practice. Also, if your measurements are way off, change the needle size.

I decided to knit a swatch to make sure I was close to the measurements. I used the recommended needle, size 6US. On page 4 of the pattern, we have a section called Stitch Pattern for Swatching – but the swatch gauge numbers are listed on page 2. I’m not sure why those numbers couldn’t have also been included where the swatch knitting rows are listed. So, be sure to look at page 2 for all details of the project.

I cast on 27 stitches (20 needed for the 4 inch measurement) and knit about 34 rows, which is the number needed to measure 4″ tall. The swatch really curled up, but after washing and blocking it was fine. (Knitters complained about this for the cowl, but also mentioned blocking helped.) My swatch measurements are pretty close, so I will use the size 6 needle. (Do you see my mistakes?)

Knitting swatch in two colors for the Night and Day cowl project

Casting On To Begin the Cowl

Once the swatch is finished, it is time to cast on and knit. I chose to use yarn from Pascuali. The Sayama yarn is half llama and half wool. It feels very soft and I think it will be perfect for this project. My colors are black and light blue-gray. My daughter chose the colors which are Black and Glacier.

Andrea Mowry (the pattern designer) chose Harrisville Designs wool to make her sample cowl. I love HD wool, and use it often, but it is not the softest for something worn close around the neck – in my opinion.

The project begins at a corner so the cast on is small and then expands outward. My needle choice is size 6US (4mm) and I’m using a 32″ long circular needle. *To have more control over the yarn, I suggest using wooden needles, even DPNs would work, for the cast-on and first twelve rows.

Night and Day cowl beginning rows 1-12

Another hint I want to offer is to count your stitches for each increase row. At the end of the twelve rows there is a count given, but I counted each increase row just to be sure I hadn’t messed up.

I had to concentrate on making these rows. You will be making one left – M1L and making one right- M1R, knitting, purling, slipping stitches, and holding yarn either to the front, or back. Check the abbreviations on page 4 which explain the stitches.

An I-cord edge is made along one side as you knit. All that means is that the last three stitches are slipped and when they are knit on the next row, they create a corded edging. It creates a nice finished look. The other edge, for now, is not an I-cord edge because it will end up being one of the cowl edges that will be seamed at the end.

More About the Pattern

After reading through the pattern, I see that it is divided into Sections. I think that is because you do something a little different all the way across this knit. In some places increases are made and in others we decrease. Just follow along and complete the number of repeats in each section.

Whenever we change colors the directions say “drop A (or B) to WS” which means just take that yarn and put it to the back of the work. Forget about it, and add the new color as stated. DO NOT cut the yarn, it is carried up the side.

So far, I am finding this project to be interesting and fairly easy to accomplish. I stopped buying patterns from this designer because of the lack of explanations and clear instructions. In a past pattern I tried knitting the Oxbow Cardigan. It was a nightmare. I ended up frogging the whole thing and decided to move on to other designers because of it.

If I find some questionable or tricky parts in the Night and Day Cowl as I knit, I will be sure to include them in future posts. Have you knit this? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Happy knitting friends!

Other stories from the blog…

Cowl Knitting Project Discovered at Harrisville Designs

During my trip to New Hampshire I of course wanted to visit Harrisville Designs. It is where my daughter chose this cowl knitting project for me to make for her!

My daughter took me to the shop, and even though she does not knit, she always enjoys the ambiance of the old mill store.

She lives close enough to go to Harrisville whenever she wants, and she even used to have a job in that town. Now, we try to make it a tradition to make the short trip whenever I visit from Florida.

While we browsed the shelves of yarn and knitwear created from patterns, she pointed out the Night and Day Cowl, by Andrea Mowry, as something she liked and would wear. It was constructed from Harrisville Designs wool yarn; Daylights and Nightshades. Basically it is a black and white (or 2 contrasting colors) checkered pattern that is knit flat and then seamed up the short side.

I figured I could handle that, so we planned for me to make it for her. I didn’t have space in my suitcase for skeins of yarn, so I couldn’t buy it from the HD shop. I did buy a little notions case and some stitch markers, as I needed both. I couldn’t leave the store empty handed!

Sunskaara pouch, knitting notions bag and stitch markers by cocoknits

A Fun Story

Everyone who works at Harrisville Designs probably knits a lot. I mean wouldn’t only knitters or yarn crafters apply to work at a yarn shop? Anyway, the three ladies who were at the registers were all wearing beautiful, hand-crafted sweaters.

I wore my Simple Stripes sweater that day, and the woman waiting on me complimented me on it. She was especially interested in the cat pattern colorwork on one sleeve. In fact she asked if she could take a photo of my sleeve!

Simple stripes sweater knitting project
Simple Stripes

Pascuali Yarn and Colors

Because I couldn’t take yarn home with me, I shopped with my daughter online and found some DK weight yarn by Pascuali. My daughter wears a lot of alpaca clothing that is not hand-knit, so I thought she might like something from alpacas or llamas.

The Pascuali Sayama yarn is a half and half mix of baby llama and wool. It is DK weight and she chose black and glacier (a light gray-blue) colors online at Wool and Company. I ordered it, and it was already at my house in Florida when I arrived back home.

Pascuali Sayama yarn skeins in Glacier and black colors
Pascuali Sayama

Wool and Company will wind your yarn for free, so I asked for winding one of each color. This way I am ready to knit once I go through the pattern and decide on a size and knit a gauge swatch. Yes, I am knitting a swatch. I have plenty of extra yarn and I want to match gauge if possible. It will give me a chance to practice the pattern also.

This cowl is knit flat, back and forth, making increases and decreases along the edges. Once finished, two ends are stitched together to complete the cowl.

Once I begin the project I will write a page all about how things went. Along with this knitting project I will be trying to finish up my Knus Light Top which has been in the works for over a year!

It was sad to say good-bye to New Hampshire. I long to live there again, but I’ll take the visits when I can afford to go. I breathed in the beautiful, fresh air, I went hiking and enjoyed visiting my kids. If you want to read more about my quick visit, I wrote about my vacation here.

Harrisville, NH with brick buildings
Harrisville, NH general store

More knitting happening here…

Late Fall Season Travel to New Hampshire

After taking a very quick, and busy, trip to New Hampshire the end of summer for a wedding, I got a chance to return for a more relaxing visit. It was late Fall and foliage season was winding down, but still pretty. The oaks were very orange, with some lingering reds and yellows.

My daughter was determined to keep me busy. Getting outdoors was all I wanted and the weather was absolutely wonderful. We took a couple of hikes and walks and visited some fun places. I bundled up in my wool sweaters, hats and scarves, which I otherwise never get to wear!

On this page I share just a few reasons I love this area of New England.

Taking a Hike on a Favorite Mountain

Mount Monadnock is the famous mountain in this area, but we opted for something much easier to climb. Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard has always been a favorite. I lived in the area for eleven years. It is an easy, short hike that has stunning mountain views all around. We used to go there to pick blueberries in summer.

hiking the mountain in late fall
Hiking through the woods to the top of Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard, NH
Fall field, mountains and sky view in NH
Mom and daughter taking in the Mountain View
View on the way up, wearing my hats
Ascending to the top of Pitcher Mountain
Summit & fire tower in view

My son got some good photos of me and my daughter. This one shows off two of my hand-knitted hats; the Maine Cables Hat and Triple-patterned Watchcap.

Open Studio Art Show

One beautiful afternoon my daughter drove us out to an art studio. The place was way out some backroads with a tiny parking area on grass. Local artist Rosemary Conroy had her paintings and sculptures on display for a once-a-year open studio art show in Weare, NH.

whale sculpture hanging from the ceiling at an open studio art show by Rosemary Conway.
Whale sculpture by Rosemary Conroy

Having Lunch at Pickity Place!

Located in southern New Hampshire, Pickity Place is a 1786 cottage turned restaurant. With an expanse of gardens all over the grounds, they grow food and herbs that will become a fresh part of your five-course meal.

This location boasts the fact that the structure inspired Elizabeth Orton Jones when she illustrated Little Red Riding Hood in 1948.

My daughter and I had a lovely and delicious meal, on a beautiful day. Located in Mason, NH it was a short car ride for us to this rural location. Reservations are recommended and I was very surprised we could even get in! We were seated at a beautiful table for two in the corner of the sunroom.

Pickity Place
Gift Shop
Vegetable lasagna entree at Pickity Place
Veggie Lasagna
Fairy garden at Pickity Place
Fairy Garden
Dining room entrance at Pickity Place
Apple pie dessert on menu at Pickity Place
Apple pie

The red building (dining area) above contains a partial tree that is now a book sharing library. I was hoping it was there, but sadly it was not. When searching for the reason the tree is gone I found this article with photos of the (over 200 year old) tree and the reason it was removed. I like the fact that they kept part of it in memory.

A Trip to Harrisville Designs, Of Course!

Harrisville is not far from where I stayed. When my daughter asked me what I wanted to do during my visit, Harrisville Designs was near the top of my list. I knew I couldn’t buy yarn because my suitcase was quite full, but I did end up with a new little notions bag and some stitch markers.

Harrisville, NH with brick buildings
Exterior view of the Harrisville General Store with a brick facade, featuring a porch and sign. The surrounding landscape includes trees and a clear blue sky.
Harrisville, New Hampshire white houses in a row

I did not get a photo of Harrisville Designs, but did get some pictures a few years ago during my visit. This time I got photos of the surroundings with it’s brick buildings and quaint houses.

Leaving Home

When the time came to head back to Florida, I didn’t want to leave my home. This is where I belong, not hot and muggy Florida. I had filled up on fresh, crisp air and memories made with my kids and their special people. It had to do for now.

More on this blog…

Finish Knitting the Maine Cables Hat – Part 4

Here we are on the last steps of knitting the Maine Cables Hat. Your cables should be done and now we are decreasing and finishing the top.

If you have been knitting along with me, and creating the Maine Cables Hat, this is the last in the series. In Part 4 we will decrease and finish knitting the project.

After we knit all the normal rounds for making the cables (see part 3, or go back to the beginning if you are new here.), we come to the crown decreases. This can be the trickiest part of knitting a hat. The reason for this is that at some point our stitches will be too few to fit on the 16″ circular needle. We will have to switch to double-pointed needles (DPNs). (If you know how to use Magic Loop, and prefer it, feel free, but I don’t cover it here.)

I always try to keep my 16″ needle for as long as I can. But, once the stitches become too far spaced, we have to get the stitches onto those four DPNs.

Switching Over to DPNs

The crown decreases in the Maine Cables Hat begin in Round 9. We just finished knitting Rounds 1-8, five times.

Each round in 9-22 will be a little different, so follow the pattern. The last cable row will be Round 12. The others will require some k2tog and p2tog stitches.

purl two together
Purl two together – go through both purl stitches

When the time comes, divide the stitches up between four DPNs in the size that matches your original knitting needle. My needle is size 8, so my DPNs are size 8. DPNs come in sets of five needles. Four will hold stitches and one is used to knit with. (You can also do 3 needles for stitches.)

Removable stitch marker for rounds using double-pointed needles.
Use a removable stitch marker for the BOR when the double-pointed needles are used.

I like to make the switch to double-pointed needs at the beginning of an easy row. I am choosing Round 18 because I will be down to 55 stitches total (Small size hat). This round is made up of only knits and purls which makes the dividing easy. There are no decreases in this row.

Leave all the stitch markers as they were, except to switch out the BOR marker. Remove the original marker and place a removable stitch marker which is not on the needle but on the fabric. This way it will not be in the way on the needles, but will remind you of the row beginning.

Close-up of a person's hand holding yellow knitted fabric with wooden knitting needles, showing progress on a project, with a printed pattern in the background.
Changing to DPNs fro the crown of the Maine Cables Hat

For the Small size hat – 55 total stitches = 3 DPNs holding 14 stitches, and 1 DPN holding 13 stitches. You really don’t need to be exact. I try not to drop a stitch marker, but it is pretty easy to count the in-between stitches at this point.

For the large size hat – 60 stitches total = 4 DPNs each holding 15 stitches.

Continue to the End

The stitches on the 4 DPNs do not have to remain the same. As the decreases are made, switch to 3 DPNs, but keep the stitch markers until the last row (or next to last row). Remove them as you finish up with the k2tog stitches.

Removable stitch marker for rounds using double-pointed needles.
Removable stitch marker
Last stitches on three needles at the crown
Last stitches left – pull tail thru to finish

At Round 22 there will be either 11 or 12 stitches left on your DPNs. Now it is time to cut a long tail on your yarn, and get your embroidery needle.

Use the embroidery needle to go through all stitches twice – I like to do twice, but you don’t have to. Go around to the left, leaving the knitting needles in place, just as you would be knitting, and include all stitches. Pull them pretty tight, and then go through them again – while removing the needles, and pull to close up the top.

Stick the needle down through the top to the inside of the hat. This is where you will weave in that end. (Weaving in quick video here.)

Weave In The Loose Ends

All that is left to do is weave in the remaining loose ends.

Turn the hat inside out and weave in the yarn that is already on the needle. If you added new yarn, weave in that tail. Then, weave in the end that is hanging where we first cast on our stitches. *Remember how the brim will fold (or not fold) and weave in on the wrong side so the weave will not show.

Congratulations – Go Try On Your New Hat!

You are finished knitting the Maine Cable Hat! Congratulations on your new winter accessory that I’m sure is extraordinarily beautiful.

Now for the wash in Eucalan (paid link), which is a no-rinse wool wash. Only use it if you used wool yarn to knit your hat!

Washing my hat in wool wash

Add your photos to Ravelry, if you are on there, and add pictures to your social media accounts – if you like to do that. Please leave a comment on this blog and let me know how it went. I’d sincerely like to know! I’m guessing that other knitters would also like to know.

Did you find this pattern easy to follow? Did my notes help you? Are you happy with the size you chose? Will you make another hat like this one, or branch out and try another cable hat?

Bright yellow knitted beanie hat with a cable pattern, displayed on a textured white surface.
Maine Cables Hat finished
Leftover mohair and merino wool
Yarn leftover from knitting the Maine Cables Hat

Knitting My Hat – Review

I like how my hat came out, even though I messed up on the crown. Round 15 has a p2tog, which I completely missed! I added my p2tog’s on Round 18. Oh well, it happens.

I’m glad I knit the small size, but remember I also used a larger (size 8US) needle. The hat is nice and tall, so the brim can fold way up over the cable area.

I had plenty of yarn leftover from my one ball of mohair and two balls of heavy merino. It took me 9 days to finish the hat, and I was away camping for 3 of those days (not knitting). I could probably have finished it in about 3 or 4 days easily.

Hand knits take forever to dry in my house because of the extreme humidity, even with the AC going 24 hours a day, but finally it’s ready to pack for my trip north.

And here I am wearing my new hat while hiking in NH with my daughter. She is wearing the Triple Pattern Watchcap (this one is brown and red) which I knit a few years ago.

wearing the Maine Cables Hat in umami yellow wool yarn - Knitting for Olive merino and mohair.
Maine Cables Hat
two hats, Maine Cable Hat and Triple Pattern Watchcap
Views and hand knits

This is what I love about knitting. I choose the yarn, the color, and the style. Within a few days, I have a new, warm and cozy, and completely unique, hat!

Stories about yarn and my knitting hobby.