I have two cowls to share today, one older and one brand-new. Let’s start with the older one. A while back, I used my one and only skein of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted to make a Boomerang Cowl (pattern by MollyGirl Yarn). Here’s my Berry Cowl unblocked. 
I finally got around to blocking it yesterday. I blocked it pretty aggressively for a few reasons: the bind-off was really loose and I wanted both edges to be the same, I wanted it to be wider, and most importantly: I wanted to show off the pattern. I like the results! 
I should be able to get a couple of wears out of it before it gets too warm. And now I need to do the same for my Take the Crown cowl, which I finished yesterday thanks to a few hours of outside knitting time.
The puppies kept me company, one by my side and one in the sun.
I decided to trust the pattern and finish it rather than frog it, and I think I made the right choice. 
Blocking should get it to a good width for a closer-fitting cowl. I found it fascinating to see how the colors pooled in the ribbing at the beginning (the bottom ribbing) but not at the end. This will be wonderful if I make it to any Royals night games this season!
The pattern, which is a zigzag, does get a bit lost in the yarn, but I like it because in my mind, it represents the points of a crown. And again, blocking should open it up nicely. Details: the yarn is Nerd Girl Yarns Clever in color Take the Crown and it was heavenly to knit with. Soft but not limp, not splitty at all, just flowed wonderfully over the needles. This pattern is River Deep, Mountain High by MollyGirl Yarn and this makes my fourth.
What about you? What are your go-to patterns, the ones you knit over and over?
bonnyknits 
Glad you finished it!
I knit two or three hats over and over – alpine topper is one, and a side button hat another. 🙂
They look great! It’s amazing how much blocking really shows off the stitch work. 🙂
Thank you! Yes, I confess, I don’t block everything, but it makes a huge difference for some pieces.
Yeah neither do I. Laziness + impatience to use whatever I’ve made means that only things I give to others tend to be blocked…
Beautiful cowls. Blocking really made the details pop
Lovely knitting as always 🙂 My go to pattern at the moment is for aran weight socks – they are so quick to knit up and sooo cosy to wear.
I bet! Do you knit them two at a time? I think I’d have to, to make sure I ended up with two! 🙂
These are 1 at a time but they are so quick, I think I’m addicted!
I have about three different felted hat patterns that I use a lot, and depending on the yarn I use they all come out a little differently.
I really like the way the blocking shows your pattern stitch in that first cowl. Before seeing this I never really liked a multicolored yarn for a lace pattern…you’ve proven me wrong!
I’ve never done a felted hat; it seems like it would be hard to control the finished size. But maybe not–just a matter of more precision with the felting time and shaping process? And thank you, I’m glad I could show you something pleasantly surprising!
Oooh, it’s amazing how blocking a project can completely change the appearance of the finished item. I’ve only recently started blocking my projects, but I already can’t stop. It really helps to even the stitches and bring out the pattern. It’s like magic! 😀
I know! It’s so cool. But still, I only do it if I need to for shape or stitch definition. A lot of things don’t get blocking at all. I’m a lazy knitter! LOL