Entrelac: The easiest thing to knit that looks really complicated

I will be the first one to admit that I secretly (or not so secretly) love when people compliment what I'm knitting, especially other knitters.  It's flattering, there is no denying it.  Knitting something that looks extremely complicated but is actually really simple is even better.  Hence Entrelac.  It's seriously just increasing and decreasing.  If you're interested in learning how to do this start here.

This cowl was originally started because I had every intention of learning to knit backwards.  Knitting backwards would have really sped up this process, unfortunately I gave up.  Think of it like batting left handed, it just feels wrong.  Remember when you were learning how to knit and the needles felt heavy and awkward in your hand?  Times this by 100 and this is how knitting backwards feels, totally counter intuitive.  Maybe I'll try it again sometime, but not for now I'll stick with regular knitting.

Even though I didn't learn to knit backwards I did get a project crossed off my list.  A while ago I promised the first person to comment on this post a very special surprise.  That lovely person is my Aunt Stefani.

The cowl has two layers as you can see here.  One side is entrelac the other stockinette. 

As you can see here it was sewn with a twist in it so both layers are visible at the same time.

I know it's getting to be Spring time so this cowl is knit with a cotton blend to her neck at optimal temperature for necks.  Although I am not sure what the optimum neck temperature is I'm sure this cowl will keep it there.

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I have 3 things...

1) Lots of unfinished objects laying around the house.

 These are gloves in some lovely Malabrigo yarn, color lettuce.  One glove is complete, the other needs 3 more fingers.  It seems I'm having trouble finding time for 3 fingers.

 I'm learning entrelac!  It's a relatively simple technique that just uses picking up stitches, increases and decreases.  It's simple enough, but every time I think I have the pattern memorized I mess something up.

I'm in a little bit of a green kick, must be the thought of spring time coming.

2) Three very messy puppies

 

These guys just stepped up from being bottle fed to mush.  We're still learning that we don't need feet to eat.  It's proving to be a rather difficult skill to learn.

 

  Making anything at all is tough when these fur balls needs to eat every three hours, but that's fine if it means I can squeeze these guys to death any time I want.

3) Dirty hands

 Spring is here which means it's time for me to kill perfectly good seeds.

 In this pot is some Cilantro.

 And these are Sweet Pea seeds.  There is no hope of these ever blooming.

And here we have some Dill and some carrots. Once these sprout they will be replanted.

I'm posting lots of pictures to make up for the fact that I haven't completed anything in over a week.

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