Welcome, everyone, to the final Swans Island Anna's Cowl KAL blog post!  I hope you have all been successful in this process and are either finished, or close-to finished with your cowls. I don't know about you, but I have really LOVED knitting this pattern and using this yarn.  It's a really simple and beautiful knit.  Thank you to the designer, Breean Miller, for designing such a lovely cowl!

 After removing my provisional cast on, it was simple to pick up those stitches and continue with the lace pattern on the second side.  After the bind-off, I soaked my cowl in lukewarm water and some gentle soap and laid my cowl out on a towel to block.  Never tried blocking before?  Well here is an informative video that I did a few months back that illustrates different ways to block items.  It's a bit long, but worth watching if you'd never blocked before or are still new to it.  I hope it helps!





Now, I'd like to know where you all stand on the issue of points.  To point, or not to point?  That is the question.  I really like the look of the original cowl, so I chose to block out my points, but the shell lace pattern really lends itself to a softer more rounded edge as well.  Which one did you or would you choose?


So, that is pretty much it for the Swans Island KAL.  I will keep the Ravelry Thread going for a few more weeks in case there are a few folks still finishing up.  I would LOVE to see your finished pieces, so please post photos, or a link to your photos on the thread!


Thank you so much to all of you who participated in this fun KAL!  If you have feedback or suggestions for the next KAL, please drop me a line and let me know: kristen@jimmybeanswool.com.  I'd really love to hear from you!



As always, Happy Knitting!
Kristen

Well, here we are folks!  Week One of the Swans Island Knit-a-long!  We've experienced a huge response to this KAL! I am trying to get an idea of how many people we have participating this time around, so if you wouldn't mind leaving a comment letting me know that you are here (or on Ravelry if you are participating there) just so I can get a head count, that would be awesome!  You can leave an anonymous comment if you'd like.  I don't mind! :) I am so excited to have all of you join us!

First, I want to give you all an update on the shipping status of the Anna Cowl patterns and kits. We underestimated the number of folks who would be interested in the KAL, so we've ordered more patterns and should be receiving enough copies to fill your backorders by 1/30/12.  If you are itching to get started (I know I would be), please call our customer service gals at: (877) 529-5648 and let them know that you would like to have your order sent with a photo copy of the pattern. If you've ordered the pattern without the yarn, just request that a PDF be e-mailed to you.  We have received permission from Swans Island to distribute the patterns this way until the hard copies arrive.  Once they do, we'll still send you the hard copy from Swans Island as well.  We just don't want to delay anyone's progress!  (Also, don't forget-- if you haven't ordered your Anna Cowl kit yet, they are 20% off right now through the middle of February!)





Now onto the knitting!  I cast on last weekend and I have to admit that I was a bit stumped by the provisional cast-on described in the pattern.  I am a visual learner and the written instructions just don't always work for me.  In my impatience, I cast on using another provisional cast on that I have a feeling I will regret doing later.  It works fine and yields the same result, but can be a bit tough to take out.





So, to help you all, I found this awesome you tube video that shows very clearly how to do the provisional cast on used in the pattern.  I hope this helps all of you get started!



Also, here is a picture of my progress.  I'm about finished with the middle section of garter stitch and am about to start the first side of lace pattern!  I love the way the Swans Island Worsted feels on my fingers!  So soft!

Thanks for checking in this week and don't forget you can e-mail me directly with any questions: kristen@jimmybeanswool.com or visit the Ravelry Thread if you haven't already.  The lovely designer, Breean Elyse Miller will be stopping in there from time to time.  If you like her design and want to see some of her other work, check out her blog as well!  See you all next week, and don't forget to leave me a little hello comment so I know you are here!:)

Happy knitting,
Kristen

PS.  Jimmy Beans Wool is the official yarn, knitting and crochet supplier to U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing! To encourage people to be creative on and off the slopes, we have partnered with Red Heart® yarns to create “Stitch Mountain." Check out the free Stitch Mountain patterns at www.jimmybeanswool.com/StitchMountain and like our Facebook Fan Page!