Ta-da! Here is the second of my new DK-weight cowl designs, Peacowl. ;)


Once again, I used one 100g ball of Outlaw Yarn's Vanitas DK (90% alpaca and 10% organic merino). The colour is called 'Vanity', which is perfect for a silver peacock cowl! If you wish to substitute a different yarn, I recommend a DK-weight yarn with good drape and stitch definition (e.g. an alpaca or silk blend).

Features:

• lace-and-texture motifs inspired by stylised peacock feathers
• worked in the round, with clean garter-stitch edges
• one size (short and drapey), with simple instructions for re-sizing both height and circumference if desired
• a one-skein project: you will need 205 yards of DK-weight yarn
• full charted and written instructions, so you can follow your preferred type.

When I first got the idea for this cowl, I researched stylised peacock-feather motifs and fell in love with the peacocks on 1890s book covers. My favourites are this Pride and Prejudice cover by Hugh Thomson (I managed to get hold of a modern paperback with this design)...


...And this Gryll Grange cover by A.A. Turbayne (the peacock is a reference to the author's name, Thomas Love Peacock). I used this peacock's tail as the basis of my lace design - the way the feathers are simplified and arranged in streams translates well to a repeating lace motif.


After much charting, swatching, and refining, I finally had my peacock lace. :)