It Takes a Village of Knitters

 ...to make some projects successful.

This is Elis, Indian-Cross-Stitch Cowl,

a free pattern designed by

Reiko Kuwamura.

 The pattern is well written

and rewarding.

I was a bit headstrong

in my choice of yarn, though.

It HAD to be Patons Grace

because I liked the color and the sheen,

and it was in my stash...

and it was in my stash...

and it was in my stash...

The weight of the yarn was fine

but the fiber content is cotton 

and the finished cowl was way too stretchy.

I was kind of bummed...

but then I remembered reading a blog post

recently about a project which

had similar problems

and had been salvaged using crochet stitches

on the inside edge.

This knitter had seen the method on

the Yarn Harlet's blog.

I gave it a whirl and was very happy with the results!

It now has enough body to hold its shape when worn.

This cowl will go into my knitting group's charity sale -

I'll have to make another for myself...