Pattern Release: Buttermilk Sky

Introducing Buttermilk Sky, a textured cowl knit in the round. It features a slipped-stitch pattern reminiscent of a buttermilk sky—a sky covered by a blanket of puffy altocumulous clouds. Buttermilk Sky is available as a PDF on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop.





The pattern includes instructions for two sizes: a small, close-fitting version knit in DK weight yarn, and a large version knit in worsted weight yarn.





The small size (above) was made with 1 skein of Blue Sky Alpaca Silk [50 percent alpaca/50 percent silk; 146 yd/133 m per 50g skein]; color: Ice, and a US4 16-inch circular needle. Finished measurements for the small size are 6 inches/15 cm height and 18 inches/46 cm circumference.





The large size (above) was knit with 2 skeins of Valley Yarns Hadley [50 percent wool/50 percent silk; 109 yd/99 m per 50g skein]; color: Charcoal, and a US6 16-inch circular. It can be worn in a variety of ways: loosely draped, folded over like a turtleneck, or fastened with a shawl pin. Finished measurements for the large size are 9 inches/22 cm height and 24 inches/61 cm circumference.

You can also make a medium size by knitting the small (DK) version with worsted weight yarn. The cowls knit up quickly thanks to the many slipped stitches (which also add extra warmth). Quick pattern + small yardage requirements = ideal last-minute holiday gifts!

I've been carrying my camera everywhere the past few weeks, hoping to get some pictures of buttermilk skies. I'm no cloud expert, but I think these qualify. In any case, they're the kind of sky I had in mind:





After Googling the term buttermilk sky to learn more about it, I discovered an old Hoagy Carmichael song called Buttermilk Sky. I've really grown to love it. Here's a link if you want to take a listen (the images are stills, not video).

Thanks to everyone who commented last week for a chance to win a copy of the pattern and a skein of Blue Sky Alpaca Silk. The winner was pdxknitterati/MicheleLB. Congrats, Michele!

Last but not least, thanks to Jenny for testing and editing the pattern and to Betsey for modeling and photography assistance. I get by with a little help from my knit sibs!