Product Description
“Now not day only shall be beloved, but night too shall be beautiful and blessed and all its fear pass away."
This cowl was inspired by Arwen. There's something dark, sharp, even a bit mysterious about Arwen's beauty, something not simply pretty but compelling. In creating something for her I wanted something elegant and dark, with gently undulating lines and curves in all the colors of the evening sky.
This cowl (or hood, depending on how you wear it) features an ogee lace pattern with a subtle starburst at it's heart. It is practical for keeping the winter chill from your ears and head, but won't interfere with your hairdo the way a hat can (eleven ladies can't abide hat hair). It uses a single skein of sock yarn entirely and, with it's relatively large pattern, is perfect for those beautiful hand-paints you can't quite imagine hiding away inside a shoe.
Evening Star Cowl by Varina Jones
Project Overview
The Evening Star is an advanced-level knitted cowl design that doubles as a hood, inspired by elegance and mystery. Created by designer Varina Jones, this project celebrates the beauty of evening through sophisticated construction and thoughtful styling. The cowl measures 27 inches in circumference (13½ inches laid flat) and 20 inches in height, making it a substantial accessory that frames the face and shoulders while protecting against winter weather without the drawbacks of traditional hat styles.
Design Features and Aesthetic
The Evening Star cowl showcases an ogee lace pattern as its primary design element, featuring a subtle starburst motif at the center. The ogee pattern creates gently undulating lines and curves that evoke the colors and mood of the evening sky. This elegant, dark aesthetic appeals to those seeking a compelling accessory rather than simple prettiness. The design philosophy prioritizes both visual impact and practical function, making it suitable for those who wish to avoid the hair-flattening effects of traditional winter hats.
Knitting Techniques and Stitches
This advanced knitting project employs lace techniques to achieve its distinctive visual character. The ogee lace pattern requires intermediate to advanced knitting skills, as lace work demands precise stitch placement, yarn-over management, and careful attention to pattern repeats. The starburst motif at the pattern's heart adds dimensional interest through strategic increases and decreases. The relatively large pattern scale makes the design forgiving enough to showcase beautiful hand-painted yarns without losing the intricate details that define the piece.
Yarn and Materials
The Evening Star cowl is designed to use a single skein of sock yarn, making it an efficient project that showcases premium yarn qualities. Sock yarn weight provides excellent stitch definition for lace patterns while offering durability for a frequently-worn accessory. The pattern's generous scale is specifically intended to display hand-painted sock yarns beautifully, allowing the yarn's color variations and visual complexity to become integral to the finished design rather than hidden within a smaller project.
Finished Dimensions
- Circumference: 27 inches (when laid flat, measures 13½ inches along top and bottom)
- Height: 20 inches
Skill Level and Project Suitability
Classified as an advanced knitting project, the Evening Star requires solid foundational skills and comfort with lace techniques. Knitters should be experienced with reading lace charts, managing yarn-overs and decreases, and maintaining consistent tension throughout a larger project. The pattern rewards skilled knitters with a sophisticated, wearable accessory that demonstrates technical mastery while delivering practical winter functionality.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Designer: | Varina Jones |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Advanced |
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