hello, if anyone still reads here.. sorry again for a long silence, the year has flown by again. I haven’t had much to say for a long time, but in the interests of hope that anyone is still interested in my designs I thought I’d do a post about my pattern in the 2026 Shetland Wool Week Annual, and yes… its another cowl!
On first glance, this pattern – named the Quenta Cowl, is quite similar to my Radiant Star cowl, featuring an allover Norwegian star motif but what is different about this cowl is I made it different on the inside so you get two in one:
When I was trying to think of how to make this not the same as my other cowls I thought about background and pattern colours/colour dominance and wondered how it would look if these were reversed on each side and featured a different motif, so that’s what I did!
On one side you have one solid background colour with the motif on a selection of pattern colours then the other side uses the colours striped as the background and the solid colour as your pattern colour!
Its very easy to knit, you just cast on provisionally, knit one side round and round, knit a few plain rows, knit the other side (make sure to switch how you hold the yarn to ensure your background/pattern colours switch dominance).. then graft together!
As i always do too now i like to have two colourways, i wanted to use slightely ‘insipid’ colours: thats the grey with purple, lime and orange.. not shades i ususally use but theres something about the sicklyness of them i like together.. then i wanted a more ‘traditional colourway featuring the classic shetland colours of blue, red, yellow and brown.
Of course i used 2ply Jumper Weight, my all time favourite and most reliable workhouse yarn for Fair Isle, you can find the shade information for the cowl, along with the other patterns, here: https://www.shetlandwoolweek.com/2026-annual-yarn-requirements/
This also means that last years pattern, the Osla Cowl is now available as a single pattern on my Ravelry:
2026 has been a shit show for me in my personal life, the past few years (basically since 2020) have not been great, but this year has taken the prize so although I am disappointed in my knitting/pattern output I have to feel proud of myself on some level I have managed to do anything creative. At least the Wool Week Annual forces me to design and knit something and they always photograph it so lovely so that’s something!!
I don’t even know if blogs are still a thing and if anyone cares but I have got a thing about social media now and hate sharing things so I do like to give a bit of background to my designs here, so I thank you for reading and hope you will still be here next time I feel like posting.
speak soon xxx
this superb cowl is very you ❤️ as a fellow (old skool) WordPress blogger I’m going nowhere and I always look forward to your posts.
thanks KD 😘
Oh I LOVE the orange side ?? so sorry re the shit show in your life, you will survive!
Thistle be a beautiful day! While there is tea there is hope! ________________________________
I like reading your posts Ella, and it was nice to see your thoughts and how you designed the cowl. I still keep posting on my blog but get way behind is describing my textile activities but it also helps me summarize what I do and get it into some logical order!
I won’t be up in wool week this year, but following online.
hello ella, I like your blog and always read it. I do not care how long it takes before you blog again.
Hi Ella – Sad to hear you’ve had another rough year.Take care,DebSent from my iPhoneOn Sep 24, 2026,
Good to hear from you Ella. Love the cowl. Sorry you have been having a difficult time. Your blogs are always interesting. Be kind to yourself and remember there are many people who care about you.
I love reading your posts, Ella. There’s still a place for the written word. Take care!
it is great to hear from you and admire your new cowl.
I love your latest design Ella and meant to tell you when I saw you in the shop last week! It’s so lovely and what a great idea to have the cowl reversible too.
Keep on keeping on sweetheart- your designs are always so lovely!
Bestest wishes
Jackie
hi Ella, it’s a lovely pattern, and the switching of colours from pattern to background is inspired! I won’t see you at Wool Week this year as Im having a wee break, but maybe next year. In the meantime, take care! X
Hi Ella! Yes, I for one still love to see your blog posts or newsletter pop up, no matter how infrequent :) Your new cowl pattern is lovely and the reversibility so interesting. I look forward to knitting it at some point.
Wishing I could be there for SWW but I will be forever grateful to have had the good fortune to experience Shetland in May of 2024 with Shetland Wool Adventures. It was an amazing 8 days and I had the good fortune of meeting you one evening when you gave your vintage knitwear talk :)
Hi Ella, Another reader here! I am always happy to read more information about the background to projects, rather than a moment’s engagement on social media. Thank you for writing. Hannah
I’m still here! Fabulous pattern Ella. Do you have any advice on how to do provisional cast on please? I’ve always struggled with it. I’m sorry to hear that life has given you a kicking. I’m keeping everything crossed for you that things are on the up. Kind regards, Penny.
Hi Penny, thanks 🧡 I usually do a crochet chain then you pick up the bumps as stitches. It’s always tedious to take out, I pick up the stitches before I remove it so at least there’s never usually any casualties of stitches.
Hi Ella,
Oh I love reading your blog posts, it doesn’t matter how infrequent they might be (Birthdays and Christmas only come round once a year don’t they), and I always enjoy seeing your new patterns. It’s interesting when you talk about background inspiration, thoughts on colour and your design process. Your patterns are always so thoughtful, and I love you incorporate older techniques into your work and yet your designs never fail to look fresh.
I’m so sorry that the past few years have been unkind, and sincerely wish the universe now bucks up and sends you all good things and many blessings.
Hear, hear to what Ericka said. Of course we look forward to hearing from you, Ella – as ever – and the cowl designs are lovely. I really like seeing two colourways side by side – so helpful to me in learning to understand how colours work with each other.
Hear hear to what Ericka said. I love seeing your posts too. And the cowl designs are lovely. I like seeing two colourways side by side, helping me to learn how colours work together
love hearing from you, Ella, even if it’s sporadically! Hang in there and this too shall pass…. I’m not saying that tritely, but truly meaning it as an encouragement.
Thank you for posting. Yes, I miss you and your work. JuliaOn Sep 24, 2026,
I loved getting to read this update, and I appreciate that people still blog and send newsletters since I am no longer on social media. It is such a treat to learn about your design process and this cowl totally rules. Anyway, from a random lady on the internet, I am wishing you a better 2027 and I hope things turn around for you soon. The amount of trauma people are carrying around is pretty incredible. Please know that you’re not alone. Thank you for sharing your beautiful craft with all of us, whenever you get the chance.
Hope yer daen better, lass. Yer Hap Cowl is still one of my favorite knits. I also knit yer lugwarmer as my ferst fairisle. Always gets compliments. Take care of yersel. Xx
I’m always happy to see a post from you. Your latest design is lovely. What talent you have!
Love the cowl design! Gorgeous colors and super cool inside and outside differences! I love reading your posts. I also don’t like social media and really enjoy both yours and Kate’s blogs, no matter when they come out!!! So sorry to hear things have been shit! I hope things get better for you! I was so glad I got to meet you at J&S when I was visiting before my Fair Isle knitting holiday! You were so kind when I talked with you! Many thanks for that! Sending lots of good wishes from California! I just finished my Hap Cowl with the yarn I got at J&S and am so happy and love your cowls! Can’t wait to make more!
Ella- so good to hear from you!
I’m so sorry that life is so tough right now- hoping for better for you
Knitting is often a sort of ritual that helps – the rhythm, colours, feel of the yarn
Hang on in there
We need your creative mind x
Sent from my iPhone
Also still blogging on WordPress…blogs are definitely still a thing! Happy to see you here <3
Lovely pattern as always. I really like the softer colours too! Keep going – the creative spark is obviously still there 😊 I look forward to your next post, whenever that is .
sorry, this has somehow saved both versions, before and after I logged in and I can’t delete one 🤦
That’s ok, I’ve deleted one – it seems to happen alot 😊
Happy to see a new post appearing! Beautiful cowl and so interesting to read your ideas behind it. Hope life is getting better for you.
It’s always nice to read something from you whenever you feel like sharing—whether it’s posts about the background of a new design or a bit about your vintage knitwear finds. I really hope things start looking up for you from now on. Greetings from the Netherlands, Ina
Thanks so much for the email, you made my day. You are so talented, creative and funny. I’ve made many of your patterns and I’ve only been knitting color work for 2 years. I remember when I came across your video for J&S, I learned so much from you. Currently I am knitting your Vega vest, just a few more rows of armhole shaping to go. I think it is stunning but I wish the yarn was 2 ply instead of 5 ply, that took a lot of getting used to. I loved the interview you did with Gudrun! Please take good care of yourself. You are a Shetland treasure.
Welcome back! I’ve missed you! I was even in Shetland and staying in Lerwick in June and hoped to see you walking in town or eating in a restaurant while I was there.
Best to a new beginning of a welcomed and Beautiful life!
Jen Maitreya n
Lovely to hear from you again – I used to really enjoy your (infrequent!) video podcasts too. Sorry you’ve been having a tough time, hope you know you’re held in high regard and whenever you show up there will always be followers who want to hear what you have to share.
Take care, best wishes
Gorgeous cowl and cunning design!
I always love reading your posts. Sorry to hear you’ve had another bad year. I definitely think this decade is a rotter and am hoping the 30s will be better. I do hope things improve for you. X
Never any need to apologise for infrequent posts, Ms Gordon. Quality over quantity wins every, single time. Beautiful cowl & stunning colour choices.
I, for one, will be here to read whenever you feel the need to blog and looks like I’m not alone judging by all the positive responses here.
You just do you and don’t worry about pleasing everyone else !