Oak Wood Hooded Cowl

Isn't it funny - when your working on a new project, that you plan on keeping for yourself - how somebody will swoop in and ask if they can have it? I'm quite certain, I am not the only yarn artist with this happenstance. I have an entire tribe, just in my family unit, constantly eyeballing my wares!

It matters not, as the item was a prototype - a concept. An idea I'm working out in my head - that's almost there - but no quite. I really was happy to oblige my youngest daughter, in truth. It was a good exercise in specifying the cowl into exactly what she wanted. She explains how she wants the hood, and asked that I add some beads.The result looks absolutely enchanting! There is nothing like that sense of accomplishment. 

Oak Wood Hooded Cowl

Designed by Melonie Zarko

I used Panda Soft Yarn, that can be found at Smiley's Yarn online, for a very affordable price. The yarn is a pleasure to the touch, once it's worked up. It's machine washable, dry flat - and super warm and cuddly. 

When working with Panda Soft Yarn, I have found that time and patience is your best friend. You will have less difficulties using the knitting needles with this yarn. However, if your favored weaving instrument is the hook. then just use repeat cluster patterns, to help find your way with the stitching, when working up this yarn. It's easy to increase and decrease where you shouldn't; so be sure to take your time when crocheting with this yarn.

Pine Bark Hunter's Cowl

The first thing I do, when I get new yarn is, pull out a hook and see how it works up! So I was really excited to get some Poems Chunky Yarn, which is 100% wool. It was a bumpy ride ordering this yarn from Herscherrner's . I also, failed to receive two different kinds of yarn from my order. I would appear, when my order was received by shipping and handling, the yarn was already sold out. I was happy with yarn I did receive though, Poems Chunky: Autumn Harvest and some variegated fingering yarn from Bernat.

As soon as my husband saw these colors, he requested a cowl for hunting. I of course was more than happy to oblige him, as I wanted to get my hands on that yarn! When your a gal on a budget, you simply learn to accept working with worsted weight (4) yarn. It's always wonderful to get a new yarn  you've never worked with before. This 100% wool, imported yarn from Turkey is thick and warm, and easy to work up. But it is Hell to take apart. If you need to take any of your work apart, that you have created using 100% wool yarn - be prepared to break it. You should also have some moisturizing lotion ready for those hands. My cuticles are killing me.

I used a combination stitch to give one side a textured looked - and the other side a smooth, flat surface - while working in the round. What resulted, with just one 3.5 oz skein of yarn, was a nice cowl, a neck warmer. However, this wasn't what my husband was looking for. So I plunged ahead, and added another skein to the project. 

What has resulted, is the Pine Bark Hunter's Cowl, designed - by yours truly. It begets it's name from the owner of this wonderful piece. He say's the texture and colors remind him of bark on pine trees in the fall.

In the end, I ended up using two skeins of Poems Chunky: Autumn Haze and I would get it again and again! I'll give Herrscherner's another shot too, and see how it goes. Keep a look out for the Pine Bark Hunter's Cowl in our Etsy Store: HearthFire Handmades, The Grand Opening will be in the fall! 

Thunderbird Panel

After pulling it apart, and redoing my pattern several times, I finally finished my Thunderbird Panel.

Thunder Bird Panel by Melonie Zarko

I still need to slip stitch around the bird, and give it that finished touch, but I'm excited to start designing the rest of the blanket. 

I used a forked half double crochet to give the panel it's woven look.