I am a process knitter. The first time I went to River Colors Studio, many, many years ago, I walked out with size 11 straight needles and two skeins of bulky, hand dyed yarn. I was so excited to have a local yarn store again I was anxious with delight! I knit that yarn up 5 times, until I felt I had the perfect, squishy scarf. But, if I’m being totally honest, the first iteration was probably indistinguishable from the last. I knew I would not be able to afford another splurge like that for a year (I was not wrong!) so I wanted to not only make the best scarf I could, but I wanted to milk all the enjoyment I could out of that yarn!

Now my stash now lives in cubbies instead of trash bags and is comprised of indie dyer yarn, handspun, and skein after skein of very special wool…instead of craft store acrylic. My taste and design aesthetic have changed too. (I’d be a very unhappy camper if I had to knit five bulky scarves today!) However, I still always try to milk the most enjoyment I can out of each skein of yarn I use and each piece that I design. I have little kids and a hectic “routine” so I can’t enjoy projects that aren’t conducive to late night tv knitting or being put down every 5-10 minutes. (I say that like it’s not every 2-3 minutes.) So while I’ve tried to throw lots of interesting construction details into Sloane Detroit it’s knit entirely in garter stitch so you’ll be able to pick it up and put it down without too much drama. As a nod to my original 5 scarves from River Colors Studio yarn there are 5 design elements in the cowl and you can wear your long, loopy cowl at least five ways. I’m proud and humbled to bring you a design inspired by my long time LYS, River Colors Studio, in Lakewood Ohio, on the corner of Sloane Ave and Detroit Rd.

Now, if only my personal aesthetic meshed with the J. Peterman Catalogue! I think I’ve missed my calling.