Quite often in Sydney people will tell you 'it never gets cold enough to wear thick woollen items - we have no need for them here'.
So every year I hesitate about making anything with a thicker wool.
And then an icy cold snap will come in off the mountains and I am reminded that we actually live right on the edge of the dividing range and there is generally snow around us in the hills and when the wind blows across that, and up from the south ... it can get very, very chilly. And while we do not have snow in Sydney, nor, frosts or ice, the wind chill factor can reduce eyes to watery messes, and noses and ears and hands and bodies can get cold very quickly.
And then I am grateful for having a few pieces at least which are thick and warm. When the wind blew cold last week I was extremely grateful for being able to wear this - wrapped around my neck in a cocoon of warmth and utter softness. I love this yarn, and this pattern. Any fears of just how bulky it is and how thick, dissolve when told by numerous people how beautiful and warm it looks.
And in the evening, in the cold, wrapped three times around my neck, it is like a little furnace.
Bliss.
Breathtakingly beautiful! It looks so wonderful on you. I have every excuse in the world to knit this, seeing as it gets mighty cold in these parts, but not for a few months yet (which gives me the time to make it).
Posted by: nicole | June 14, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Gorgeous cowl and gorgeous photos of you!
Posted by: nichola | June 14, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Beautiful! The photos are gorgeous, as always, and so are you!
I added this to my favs for the fall..... now I'm looking forward to a little fun in the sun!
Posted by: CreatureofHabit | June 14, 2011 at 12:56 PM
It does look warm - I could do with one of them today. Lovely pictures of you.
Posted by: Kate | June 14, 2011 at 01:21 PM
Almost makes me long for winter! It's really beautiful, as are you, and the photo shoot is perfect.
Posted by: Rebecca | June 14, 2011 at 03:49 PM
That is stunning. Bravo you for following your own voice of wisdom and intuition.
It's so beautiful. Will you teach me to knit one day?
Posted by: Rachel Haynes | June 14, 2011 at 05:28 PM
It's divine!
It's positively arctic here, I could wear a full body knitted suit and still freeze.
So...if this is you, who was that dark haired girl a few months back?
Posted by: Kate | June 14, 2011 at 06:32 PM
They are also the people without heating in their houses. Sydney gets bloody cold. I think that the infrequent use of heating justifies more handknits! Your cowl looks amazing, and they are lovely photos.
Posted by: Ingrid | June 14, 2011 at 08:25 PM
Gosh, I love this.
Posted by: Lisa | June 14, 2011 at 08:30 PM
You do look snug in that gorgeous chunky knit. I've had the cowl queued at Ravelry for a while now and kinda forgot about it. But come the ice cold of the Welsh hills in winter I shall be glad you reminded me to bump it up my project list!
Posted by: Annie | June 15, 2011 at 01:26 AM
Nice job for you!
Posted by: Patrick Sharp Jersey | June 17, 2011 at 06:02 PM
I didn't realise you were also in Australia! Is it wrong that I kind of love your photos even more, knowing they come from "home"?
That is an absolutely GORGEOUS scarf. (You think Sydney is bad about the cold? Try Perth!) Scarves are seriously some of my favourite articles of clothing, so as soon as it's even remotely cool enough to begin wearing them, I'm bundled up like it's an ice age!
Is it as super soft as it looks? :D
~Ashlee
http://ashleesch.com
http://theDragonsHoard.bigcartel.com
Posted by: Ashlee | June 19, 2011 at 10:32 PM
I am always amazed at the finished product of knitting or crocheting. How did someone ever figure this out? Anyway I think everyone could own a neck wrap even if they live in a warmer area. We never know when we will need such a garment.
Posted by: Tommy | June 22, 2011 at 02:02 AM
big and beautiful...wear it with style and grace ~
Posted by: theresa/t does wool | June 28, 2011 at 12:39 PM
It looks lovely Alison!
Posted by: joyce | June 28, 2011 at 02:33 PM
That looks so cozy. The chunky yarn is perfect.
Posted by: Alex Sand | June 29, 2011 at 03:40 AM
gorgeous! I've seen a few people make the herringbone cowl and wondering if I have the patience for it! maybe the 10 hour drive to echuca next week will be the perfect time to start
I just love those photos of you! perfect!
corrie:)
Posted by: corrie | July 01, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Plenty of frosts in Sydney! I can remember getting dressed for school in front of a single bar radiator, on bare lino, and shivering.
I loved running over the frost and crunching it.
Now I live closer to the coast and we don't have frosts.
Posted by: Kerry | July 04, 2011 at 02:35 PM
I know you've got the sewing spirit! Come join in on Project Frumpy to Fab!
xo,
Strawberry Moth
Posted by: Jessica Matz | July 09, 2011 at 03:00 AM
Great looking cowl, and photos as well.
Posted by: farragio | July 12, 2011 at 09:43 AM
How soft is this wool? Scratchy? I need a wool for a scarfy thing... I'm assuming if you can stand this three times around your neck it's soft? Did you buy the yarn in Aust?
Ta!
Posted by: missjenny | July 13, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Fucking ugly bitch!
Posted by: stopstalkingme | July 23, 2011 at 06:22 AM
Wrap it 4 times around your neck - with a bit of luck you might choke to death.
Posted by: myfakie | July 23, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Your cowl looks beautiful and so do you!
Posted by: mathea | July 23, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Stopstalkingme needs to really get a life. Preferably one in a prison cell or institution. Where she belongs.
And her other personality, myfakie, needs to take her own advice.
Posted by: Amy | July 24, 2011 at 12:31 AM