eventual triumph, in the form of this superb brioche cowl, over the forces of shit patternwriting

[cimorene]

I eventually finished the annoyingly terribly badly-written pattern project from the 8th time I cast on (I think). There were several times when I had to unknit up to 6 rows to fix a mistake because I couldn't figure out how to do this using a crochet hook for individual columns of stitches, and I had to do that one stitch at a time with both ends of the needle rather than taking the needle out, ripping stitches, and then threading it back in, because picking the stitches back up correctly like that was too hard.

That's why I let a number of minor errors stand:



But I love this and it seems to be an appropriate replacement for my previous large (enough to go around the head and neck three times) cowl and the merino is significantly softer, and the brioche significantly squishier, than the old one's chunky alpaca seed stitch. I did manage to wear it today, but it wasn't really necessary to have a scarf that heavy, so I probably won't get to thoroughly test it out until next fall, though. I also did get a new Ravelry usericon out of the day.

Comments

[kangeiko]

That's gorgeous! I've just learned the very basics of brioche so I'm going to be attempting my first pattern with that soon. I'm fairly certain it's going to be 80% errors and 20% accidentally correct stitches...

[cimorene]

Haha! Here's hoping for minimal startovers.

[tripleransom]

You're braver than I am. I'm a'skeered of brioche. I made something in brioche once and was terrified the whole time that I would make a mistake and wind up ripping the whole thing out.

I think your cowl looks amazing.

[cimorene]

I did a square two-color rib sample a couple of years ago and that took me quite a few tries to get the hang of it. But once I got it, it became quite fun and that was when I put this pattern in the queue. But having done a swatch successfully reassured me that I could do it! Although I did consider giving up around the 5th cast on...

[breathedout]

Oh, this is gorgeous! I adore the look of two-color brioche but haven't done much in it (I learned about the technique shortly before I stopped knitting for a few years, and then moved to LA where huge squishy warm garments aren't really a wardrobe staple). I should try my hand at it now that I'm back in a cooler clime!

[cimorene]

It is a little annoying in those places where I have to go back and fix something or whatever, or to weave in the ends, but after it gets going it doesn't feel too slow or anything. Granted, this pattern is fairly simple - almost as simple as plain 2-color rib - but it goes pretty quickly and feels nearly as mindless as plain knitting once you get into the swing of it...

... and the structure of brioche should have a significant advantage for warmth since it's thick and traps lots of air! Which also makes it really squishy and cuddly.

[horusporus]

ohhh tht's gorgeous~!