Scraps for All Seasons

 A while back, a video with instructions for a hood with cowl (or cowl with hood) came up on my youtube page, the thumbnail of which intrigued me. Then I remembered that I'd seen a similar project somewhere a few years ago. From the thumbnail, I figured I could see how it was constructed, but as the video was only a few minutes long, I decided to watch it and see. I started scanning my mind, trying to remember what yarn I have to make one for myself. I rummaged around until I found what I was looking for and when I found it, I started crocheting.

I had to set it aside when our furry friend was visiting because the yarn was left over from other projects and was wound into balls. Balls roll around when being worked with and our furry friend really, really, REALLY didn't like it when he was resting and something touched his leg. 😄 When he went home, I got it back out and finished the little bit I had left to do. This will be very useful in the winter when a strong, cold, sharp wind is blowing--and it almost always does here. 

The yarn I used is Donegal tweed, which I found in a charity shop some years back. I used some of it in other projects and had a bunch left. After making this, I had enough for a pair of fingerless gloves, which I wear all the time for a good chunk of the year, so I started those and finished the first one. When I'm done with the pair, I'll still have some of the yarn left and will save it to go in an even scrappier project.

This is one of those projects where you can use any yarn you have and the hook that results in the fabric you want. You don't need a gauge swatch and it's easily customizable. I crocheted this one, using single crochet (US terms) through the back loop, but it would work in knitting just as well. Because you start with the cowl part, working back and forth in rows, then seam to make a tube, garter stitch would be perfect for a knitted version. This makes it a very beginner friendly project, whether knitted or crocheted. I might be making myself a knitted version at some point in the near future.

While I'd set this aside, I picked up a different project that I'd started when it was quite warm out. It's made using thread and a small hook, so is taking a while. Because the thread I was using came in little skeins, it didn't flop around like a ball of thread would, so I was free to use it with my furry friend softly snoring next to me as I crocheted. I'm not done with this yet. It will be a scarf--probably a circle scarf-- but I'll decide for sure when I'm done with the crocheting.

It's an excellent mindless project again using some leftover thread (the brighter purple on the right) given to me by a friend and some (the darker purple on the left) that the same friend found in a thrift store in Boston last year when she was there. It comes in skeins that are small, but have a lot of yardage. I'd not seen that kind of thread before and I was thrilled to have it. It's nice to work with and is about a size 10 crochet cotton. When it's done, this will be useful on days that aren't cold, but are a bit chilly. Again, with the wind here, it's often nice to have something around my neck when I'm out and about. For the days when there's a chill wind, but it's a little too warm for wool, this will fit the bill quite nicely. I just have to finish it!

I'm having fun with these projects--I do love my scraps, leftovers, and orphans no matter the season.

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