Boston Connection Cowl
One of my favourite designs, the Boston Connection Cowl is knitted in the round and incorporates some interesting textures, including bobbles, Cables, lace and slipped stitches. It may be worn in a variety of ways. I knitted it with under 4 balls of Naturally Yarns Loyal DK, on a 5mm circular needle.
This design is particularly recommended for knitters experienced with the above techniques, and there are 4 pages to the download.
This design was born after an interesting experience I had in November 2016. I took myself (YES - me, myself and I - ALONE) on a bit of an adventure. To the USA. Quite a trip for a countrified Kiwi! I had flown on my own around New Zealand before, but never overseas. Suddenly, after a series of events that conspired to make it happen, it seemed like a good idea to do something adventurously crazy and I booked my trip in a hurry, before I got cold feet! Going through the departure terminal in Auckland the day I left, I distinctly remember saying to my husband, “I can’t believe I’m doing this!” He gave me that weird, knowing smile and we parted.
I flew to Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco and home again in the space of two weeks. In that period I experienced three time zones plus the usual enormous amount of over activity that accompanies such opportunities. Although parts of the trip were harder than I expected, overall I had a great time. I stayed with a (still Kiwi) friend in Orange County, California, and then with a friend in Boston, before being on the loose for a couple of days in San Francisco prior to flying home again!
Boston however, is where this story begins ...
I flew to Boston from Los Angeles on a sleepless overnight flight, landing there early in the morning. I was to find out later that day that the adrenalin I was living on probably needed a serious top up! I accompanied my Boston host to a Michaels store the day I arrived. Never mind that I had already visited a Michaels in Orange County! I mean - Boston was also new, different and exciting! Why would I not visit Michaels there too?!
I made a purchase and handed over my money. It was a pleasant experience chatting to the lovely young man who served me. We left the store happy, visiting a grocery store on the way back, where my friend purchased a few items. It wasn’t until a couple of hours later when we were about to leave for a meal out with one of her Boston friends, that I discovered my wallet was ‘failing to make an appearance!’ So instead of going to dinner I stayed behind while they went, and made phone calls home to sort everything I needed to, as a result of the negative response call already made to the Michaels store concerned. Eating was the furthest thing from my mind, strangely enough!
I eventually went to bed utterly exhausted, and yes, I remembered to eat something first! As I lay awake (grrr!) I observed an unusual notification on my phone that I (frustratingly) wasn’t able to access because the wifi was not working and I discovered I had now also used up all my phone credit so couldn't access any data either! I finally went to sleep, because that was all that was left to do! I decided that praying for a good outcome was really all I could continue to do now.
Sunday morning my friend & I went to an amazingly beautiful historic church she attends in Boston, but not before some frantic technological efforts to sort out the mysterious notification on my phone. It turned out that indeed my wallet had been found. Anne (the finder) had discovered my business cards inside my wallet and it was she who had attempted to contact me that same night. I was able to eventually speak to her by phone and verify the contents of my wallet. Amazing! Or, not?! I went to church happily, knowing God had indeed been working on my behalf.
We met Anne & her husband Tom for the ‘handover’ and had lunch together afterwards. A rather long lunch! I warmed to this lovely couple straight away and we chatted away like old friends! They wouldn’t let me do anything to repay their kindness. They oozed integrity, and we heard all about the find and the efforts Anne had made in order to track me down. It transpired that I must have dropped my wallet leaving Michaels, because in my unusual state I neglected to close my bag. As we were leaving the store she must have picked it up almost as soon as I had dropped it. Neither of us aware that our paths had crossed! She asked if anyone had reported one missing and was told no. By the time I contacted Michaels no-one there knew anything about it.
We returned to our respective vehicles after lunch and it turned out that we were parked opposite each other. I think I was meant to meet these people for some reason! If not only to teach me that buying a theft proof bag before you travel overseas means not taking it for granted that it will close itself! We posed for photos outside and then parted. When I returned to New Zealand one of the first things I did was start playing “Words with Friends” - with my new friend, Anne! She’s really good at that too! And now I am addicted to the game!
When I came home I decided to knit her something special - in honour of her, from New Zealand Wool. It took me a while to figure that design out. But it was so worth it, for my new Boston Connection! I am very happy to say that when she finally received it Anne contacted me to let me know she was thrilled with it. And that absolutely made my day!
Anne (& Tom) - thank you so very much for coming into my life!
Purchase Options for this pattern and all my other designs are available here.
