Download the free pattern at:
ravelry.com/patterns/library/stash-busting-cowl

My church often collects items on behalf of a neighboring church that runs a food pantry and thrift store, and we recently held our annual collection of coats and other winter apparel. Hubby and I had already donated all our unused winter items in previous years so I thought we wouldn’t have anything this year, until I remembered my leftover yarn.

I had odds and ends of Caron Cakes – which is 20% wool – in several colorways: Turkish Delight from my Easiest poncho pattern; Berries & Cream from my Self-striping granny square cocoon cardigan pattern; Mixed Berry from an early prototype of my Quick & easy shrug with ribbed cuffs pattern; White Truffle from an early prototype of my Cap-sleeved long cardigan pattern; and a lot of Blackberry Mousse from a cake I played around with but never actually used for anything. This gave me plenty of neutrals, brights and rich colors to mix, match and have fun with.

I wanted to produce as many winter items as possible in a short time span, and also to use up as much leftover yarn as possible. A scarf would accomplish the latter, but in the time I had I would only be able to produce one or two. Then I got the idea to work with two strands of yarn held together and a larger hook, making the stitches much bigger, and to crochet cowls, which are smaller than scarves.

Using this method, I found that I could complete a cowl in a single evening – it was a great way to feel productive while binge-watching TV with Hubby. I also discovered that whether I was using two strands from the same colorway, or deliberately mixing different but complimentary colors, the interplay of changing colors resulted in a lovely heathered effect.

In a couple of weeks I had produced five soft, thick, warm cowls, and my stash of Caron Cakes odds and ends was pretty much busted.

When I dropped off the cowls, the folks running the collection were thrilled. “Something handmade!”

You are free to gift, donate or sell for profit any items you make from this pattern. I ask only that if you sell items made from any of my patterns, as a courtesy you reference spoonsandhooks.com as the pattern’s source.