As If!!! (Cowl)
New pattern, classic movie
I am among the blessed Oregon Trail Generation who came of age in the 90’s. (Or the “Nineteen-hundreds” as my kids like to call it…😒)
Life was simpler in so many ways, but one of my favorite memories of that time was the pop culture! Some of it, honestly, I like better now than I did then, I suppose for nostalgia’s sake.
But one movie I adored, even then, was Clueless! ICYMI, Clueless was a fun romp of a movie, a modern depiction of Jane Austen’s Emma, set at an ultra-trendy high school. Prep, jock, grunge… all of the teen stereotypes were unabashedly represented.
And the fashion, y’all… 😂 I. Love. It.
Two aspects of the clothing that stand out most in my mind are the use of plaid and bold colors. Whether hot pink or grunge burgundy, the colors are all stand-outs. And soooooo much plaid! (Raise your hand if you had any clothes in your closet in the 90’s that matched that description. 🙋♀️)
[If, perchance, you are a child and missed the 90’s, (it wasn’t that long ago, right? Right?!) then I hope you will indulge this trip back into my teenage wardrobe.]
Also, if you have never seen Clueless, you should go watch it! It’s ridiculous and so much fun.
But before you head over to search all of your streaming apps, check this out…
World, meet my new As If Cowl knitting pattern!
In a fit of sehnsucht, I decided I NEEDED a cowl that honored that diverting era of my youth.
Plaid—rich colors—lots of options for personalized fashion…. The As If Cowl covers all my bases.
And who doesn’t love to get creative with minis?!
What are my options, you ask?
First option:
Choose either a standard ribbing OR an eyelet ribbing with i-cord/ribbon drawstring!
Some people prefer a standard cowl with ribbing at both ends for easy breezy wear. But others want to be able to draw in one end of the cowl—either for (boring) warmth or for (super fun) styling!
Second option:
Use two 100g skeins of fingering weight yarn, one each of two contrasting colorways.
OR
Use one 100g skein and a set of five 20g mini skeins of fingering weight yarn. Make sure the minis are all pretty similar in tone, so that your choice of MC will be easier!
Not sure how to decide how much contrast your yarns have? Check out my YouTube episode where I explain my process, plus I share all the things about this pattern!
Also, I give you permission to shout, “Filter! The word is Filter!” at your screen. 🤦🏻♀️
And check this out….
This yarn by The Sheepyshire is gorgeous, even in black and white!
I adored using this new-to-me dyer’s yarn, and I will definitely be knitting with it again!
Hey lady, enough chat. Let’s talk pattern specs!
One Size
Finished circumference: 29”/74cm
Finished height: 13”/33cm
Gauge
27 sts x 31 r = 4”/10cm in charted pattern (Gauge is blocked.)
Needles
US 1.5 (2.5mm); 24”/61cm circulars
US 2.5 (3.0mm); 24”/61cm circulars
Notions
Stitch Markers, Darning Needle, Measuring Tape
Yarn
Single CC Version
2 - 100g skeins fingering weight yarn
1 skein each of two high contrast colorways
OR
Mini Set CC Version
1 - 100g skein fingering weight yarn
5 - 20g mini skeins of fingering weight yarn
Use a 100g skein whose color highly contrasts with the set of mini skeins.
Mini Set CC Sample with Standard Ribbing:
The Sheepyshire Staple Sock (75% superwash merino wool, 25% nylon); 460 yds/100g; 1 skein: “Chocolate Milk” (MC)
The Sheepyshire Staple Sock (75% superwash merino wool, 25% nylon); 92 yds/20g; 5 mini skeins, each in a different color: “Vampire’s Den” Mini Skein Set— “Merlot” (CC1); “The Count” (CC2); “I Vant to Suck Your Blood” (CC3); “One, Two, Ah Ah Ah” (CC4); “Blue Velvet” (CC5)
Full (Skein) Disclosure:
You won’t need the full 100g of either the MC or the CC. I used closer to 55-60g of each color, and I had a test knitter who used under 50g of each color. You will likely need 11-18g of the minis (more from the CCs used in the ribbing). Lots of factors are involved here, but if you pay attention to your yardage usage, you will probably use less than a full skein.
Links to the As If Cowl pattern on Ravelry and Etsy:
Great, Wonderful, Fantastic, but….
I’m here for the DISCOUNTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fair enough. You’ve come to the right place!
40% off
For the first two weeks—through Thursday, September 28, 2023 (11:59pm EST)—take 40% off the regular price! No code needed on Etsy. Use code: EMMA40 on Ravelry.
50% off
Since you are with me on Substack, you get two options for even better discounts!
For the opening weekend, take 50% off the regular price—through Monday, September 18, 2023 (11:59pm EST). Use code: JOSH50 on both Etsy and Ravelry!
60% off
Since you are here on the opening day, you get the best discount, but only for a short window! Don’t wait! Through Friday, September 15, 2023 (11:59pm EST), take 60% off the regular price with the code: CHER60 on both Etsy and Ravelry!
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