Make a cozy cowl using crocheted cable stitches and bobbles. Bobbles are optional in your final cowl!
Skill Level : Improvers
You must be confident with basic stitches such as sc (UK dc) & dc (UK tr). This is NOT a learn to crochet course. All the specific stitches for this technique are taught in class.
Course Structure
The first 2 weeks we’ll be learning the techniques. For the last 2 weeks we’ll be making our cowls. I have a selection of designs you can follow. More advanced students can create their own designs once they are familiar with the techniques.
Dates & Times
- Week 1 – Monday 16th September 12:30-2:30pm
- Week 2 – Monday 23rd September 12:30-2:30pm
- Week 3 – Monday 30th September 12:30-2:30pm
- Week 4 – Monday 7th October 12:30-2:30pm
Venue
Riverhouse Barn Art Centre
Studio (in courtyard at the back of the Riverhouse)
Manor Road
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 2PF
What’s included?
- 4 x2 hour sessions.
- Printed class notes.
- Online resources for most of the techniques (I taught this as an online course during covid). As usual, I am happy to create additional content if required, for specific techniques.
- One ball of yarn for practicing the stitches (this is not enough to make your cowl).
Tools & Materials
You will need to supply your own yarn & hook (details below) for your final project.
6-7mm hook depending on your yarn gauge. If possible, ensure you have 6, 6.5 & 7mm.
I will have some spare hooks – these are £4 each. Please bring money on the day.
Choosing the right yarn for your project.
Chunky yarns, unfortunately, fit within quite a wide parameter of thicknesses. I would therefore look for a chunky yarn that requires a needle size of 6-8mm (often a hook size isn’t mentioned on yarn bands). Check the yardage – we’re looking for between 95-140m per 100g ball or 48-70m per 50g ball. You may need to go down to a 6mm crochet hook if you choose something with more yardage (i.e. it will be thinner) – but since we’re making a cowl, gauge isn’t critical. If you feel confident, you can also work 2 strands of Aran together as a substitute for one strand of chunky but I would not recommend that for beginners.
- Look for a chunky yarn that uses needle size 6-8mm, between 95-140m per 100g.
- Robust yarns with firm stitch definition work best, e.g. yarns with silk or some very soft yarns will be too floppy and the cowl won’t sit properly when being worn.
- Choose a yarn in a single, solid colour, without variegation. Yarns with a natural marl or tweed can look good.
- Light colours work best with cabling, it’s difficult to see the stitch textures with dark yarns. Avoid dark yarns as they are hard to work with and the texture of the cables is often lost.
- Avoid “fancy” or “fashion” yarns which includes fur type yarns or yarns with added “bits” or “textures” as you will struggle to work with it and it will also conceal the stitch texture.
- Do you have very sensitive skin around your neck and face? Make sure you choose a yarn that isn’t going to irritate you such as a Merino.
- To make the cowl, you will need approx. 220 metres / 240 yards in total which is usually about 2 x 100g balls or 4 x 50g balls – but check the yardage of the particular yarn you are buying as they vary so much!
- If you are planning on making lots of bobbles, you will need more yarn as bobbles use lots of yarn!
- Rule of thumb – if you are in a position to buy an extra ball to be on the safe side, please do!
Here are some suggested yarns, ranging from economy to more luxurious (and pricey)… these are just suggestions, you don’t have to get any of these but it will give you an idea of the kind of thing that would work. I cannot vouch for whether you might consider some “scratchy” but a general rule of thumb is that merino is less irritating next to the skin.
As you know, I do prefer natural yarns but have included some “blends” for cheaper options.
Prices were correct at the time of typing and may be sale prices.
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- Debbie Bliss Merion (50% wool 50% acrylic) 100m per 100g £6.30
- Malabrigo Chunky (100% Merino) 95m per 100g £10.99
- Valley Yarns Superwash Bulky (100% Merino Wool) 100m per 100g £8.04
- West Yorkshire Spinners Re:treat 140m per 100g £5.19
- Valley Yarns Haydenville Bulky (60% Merino Wool 40%) Acrylic 100m per 100g £6.29
- Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky (100% Baby Alpaca) 99m per 100m £12.34
Booking
Places are only secured by completing the booking form below with full payment. Please make sure you read the revised cancellation and transfer policy below before booking.
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Important – Cancellation & Transfer Policy Update
I regret that since teaching is my primary source of income, I must apply my cancellation policy more stringently to ensure I am not left in a situation where I am not covering my costs and/or earning even a minimum wage.
Cancellations : Should you need to cancel, refunds for the course can only be given up to 14 days before the start of the course and are subject to an administration fee of £15. After this time, i.e. 2/9/24, I am unable to issue refunds as I have already committed to the hire of the venue and the purchase of all course materials and it doesn’t leave me enough time to find a replacement student to make the course financially viable. Of course, full refunds will be given in the event that the course is cancelled due to the venue or I cancelling the course.
Transfers : If you need to transfer from the same course to a different date or time, this must be done no later than 14 days before the start of the course. After this time, i.e. 2/9/24, additional fees will apply, depending on how many bookings I have on each course.
Thank you for your understanding.