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WIP Wednesday: Vortex, Schmortex

Arctic Circle cowl in progress!
Chicago, like the most of North America, is experiencing an extra-frosty dose of winter this week - we're talking negative double-digit temps with truly frightening windchills. This is when being a work-at-home cat mom is awesome; though I like winter (it's my favorite season), I will admit that this is a little insane, even for me. My husband had to brave the arctic conditions in the name of coffee, however - and it's times like these that I'm glad I'm a knitter! Knowing that he is out there in various layers of warm winter wear which includes my hand-knits makes me worry a little less when my phone keeps pinging about dangerously cold weather conditions.

Free pattern: Handspun Garter Scarf/Cowl
And so it seemed incredibly appropriate to cast on for the Arctic Circle Cowl using Tundra yarn from The Fibre Company. I'm not sure whether it's the hair of the dog or an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" vibe I'm going for, but it's nice to know I had the perfect project for such an unusual turn of events, especially since most of the area yarn stores closed due to the extreme cold. Score one for the trusty yarn stash! 

Another bit of serendipity was the completely coincidental release of my first pattern of 2014 on Monday, the coldest and most intense day of the Polar Vortex. What better way to stay warm and toasty than with a chunky handspun scarf? You can check out the free knitting pattern here, incidentally (and if you aren't a spinner, there are some guidelines on subbing in commercially available yarns). 

Thanks for joining me this week! For more WIP Wednesday inspiration, visit the Tami's Amis Blog!

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  1. CarolJanuary 8, 2014 at 10:34 AM

    That looks nice and warm! I have been to Chicago a couple of times in the winter and I can imagine how cold it is there. We had warm weather in the sixties this weekend (don't hate us because we live in California!). Chicago is a fun town and I like to visit there.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Corrie BJanuary 10, 2014 at 4:25 AM

    Looks beautiful, the colours are great! I adore the buttons too. You must be wearing it all the time!

    ReplyDelete

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