Return to Maine Collection: Lumini Cowl
I have dozens of cowls that I have knit over the years, but I never wear any of them because I hate constantly trying to wrangle them into a position that looks and feels good. If they’re a single-loop construction, they are either too tight at the shoulders or too loose at the neck, making an awkward gap that falls open and doesn’t do anything to keep my neck warm. If they’re a double-loop construction, the coils end up either hanging down over my chest like some weird knitted necklace, or rising up so high to my chin that I feel like I can barely see over the top. And, no matter what I do, the gathered layers of the cowl never look quite right.
The Lumini Cowl is designed to combat all of these “cowl failure” issues. It tapers from base to top, so that it fits perfectly both at the shoulders at the neck. It’s edged with stockinette stitch at the base, so it rolls attractively and you don’t have to mess with keeping the edge straight, and then ribbed all the way up, which allows the material to crush down perfectly into soft, warm folds around your neck. The top edge can be worn straight or folded, so that you can adjust the height and get the top of the cowl to hit exactly at the most comfortable point on your neck. And from a knitter’s standpoint, it’s ideal: A quick knit in DK or worsted weight yarn, requiring only one skein of most yarns (approx 265 yards).
I had so much fun testing the Lumini that I knit it seven times - it’s hard to stop, once you realize how versatile it is and how it’s equally perfect for stash-busting and for justifying the purchase of that perfect skein of yarn you’ve been eyeing! The original Lumini was designed for Uist yarn: a stunningly woolly, authentic and rustic Scottish yarn that comes in a gorgeous gradient of natural colors. I became so obsessed with these colors that I knit the Lumini in four of them to create a gradient of my own: from Solas (pure white) to Siaban and Sith (darkening shades of grey) to Sian (a deep, dark and moody grey).
Uist softens up beautifully when it’s wet blocked, but it may still be too woolly for some people to wear next to skin, so my next sample explored the other end of the yarn spectrum: cashmere, knit in Clinton Hill Cashmere Bespoke in Cognac, the perfect fall color. This is a luxury item, requiring 3 skeins of precious cashmere, but it’s so lovely to wear, and drapes so beautifully, that I find myself reaching for it every time I head out the door. This would make the perfect gift for someone special :)
Finally, I played around with wool and color, knitting the remaining samples in Elemental Effect’s Worsted Cormo (color Clove) and double-stranded in High Country Wool’s Kindred Sport (color Peak to Peak). I love to explore how even when working with one fiber - wool - different sheep breeds, different finishing styles (worsted or woolen spun), different yarn weights, and different colors produce a completely different look. I think it’s wonderful that one simple piece can create so many different looks within my wardrobe, just by changing the composition and color of the yarn I knit it in!
Pattern: Lumini Cowl by Andrea Hungerford for By Hand Serial’s Return to Maine Collection
Yarn:
1 skein (235m/100g) of Uist Wool (Cheviot/Hebridian) in colors Solas, Sith, Siaban, and Sian
3 skeins (99 yds/50g ea) of Clinton Hill Cashmere Bespoke in color Cognac
2 skeins (250 yds/112g ea) of Elemental Effects 3-Ply Worsted Cormo (100% wool) in color Clove
2 skeins (320yds/100g ea) of High Country Wool Kindred Sport in color Peak to Peak (knit double-stranded)
Needles: US 7s in 24” and 16” circulars
Size: O/S
Yarns:
Gregoria Fibers Natural Cotton Merino (70% cotton / 30% merino) – 2 skeins (180 yds/ea) in color Wheat
Modus Operandi Fibers Kid Mohair / Silk Lace (72% kid mohair / 28% silk) – 1 skein (459 yds/ea) in color Almond (naturally dyed with cutch)
Needles: US 6s
Notes: Knit with two strands held together