My Lana Grossa “LaLa”-cowl

Although I love this time of year for all the festivities that are taking place, for a crocheter and blogger who wants to show the projects she’s working on, it’s a ‘strange’ period as well. Of course I’m referring to the hush-hush December gift making, and I’m pretty sure you can relate to this.

Ever since I started crocheting and crafting again, I try to make as many gifts from the heart&hands as I can. I think it’s safe to say I succeeded rather well last year (you can read more about that here), and sure hope to do the same this year.
Quite honestly, I always have to get over a hurdle, wondering whether the recipient will like the finished item only a bit as much as I loved making it…..
I then tell myself that the person I’m crocheting for will at least appreciate the time and passion that went into the project.
Once I’m working on the project, liking (and sometimes loving) the way it’s taking shape nicely compensates for any doubts I still might have.
It’s an extra bonus when they’re genuinely pleased with my handmade gifts. Sounds familiar?
So far I’ve made two projects with the beautiful Lana Grossa yarn I received at the wonderful “yarn tasting party” I was invited to a couple of weeks ago (more here).
The first one is a scarf, made with the gorgeously soft and delightful 3 Cento in purples/blues/greens. I’m so pleased with how it turned out, but it’s a x-mas gift…. I can only give you a sneak peek …..
The second project I made using Lana Grossa yarn – the “Lala Berlin – Hairy”, sooo soft, squishy and comfy – is going to be gifted to someone who’s not very active on social media – fairly safe to show. Another project that I’m happy with!
For the this cowl I used Moogly’s “Fortune’s Wrap” (free) pattern (tutorial here), basically a variation of the corner-to-corner stitch, worked as a rectangular, using a hook size 10 mm/N15. Although the lovely pattern does not really show all that much given Lala’s hairy composition, I still like the way she turned out.
I “framed” the cowl with navy blue Katia Capri, 100% cotton and hook size 3,5 mm, with a simple but effective 3 chain, sc border all around. When looking for navy blue buttons, I only had 2 and did not want to search or wait for three new ones.
On a whim I decided to try and crochet buttons.
And you know what? I actually like “Lala” better with the crocheted buttons, than with the regular ones!
For the buttons I started with two chains, 6 sc into the first chain, then crocheted 2 sc’s in every sc from round 1, fastened off. Once I had made a second circlet, I crocheted them together by sc-ing in the back loop of the little circle on top, and the front loop of the underlying circle.

The cowl is 30 cm wide; I crocheted approx, 80 cm in length. Folded it’s 32 cm wide, with an overlay of 16 cm.
I quickly sewed the overlap on the inside of the cowl to the main part. Ta-dah!

In other news: there was a fail too ….
I found this really pretty pattern for another scarf, had some neat yarn in my stash and happily crocheted two evenings in a row on it. One ball (100 grams) into the project, I tried it on, and my-oh-my it felt so scratchy! Asking family members to test as well (hoping it would just be me), they concluded likewise: not comfortable at all. Boo hoo!
Today I’ll wash the piece I have crocheted so far with Eucalan, hoping it will soften the yarn to a velvety and snug scarf-to-be, but I’m not very hopeful …. I’ll keep you posted!
Ending this post on a positive note: the (free) pattern is definitely a winner (you’ll find it here) – I just might have to go yarn shopping to find a more suitable material ;)……

Love,
Marianne xx