Viola.

I’m working on a new cowl design – after lots of swatching and sketching and planning, I’m now knitting up two final samples (in different yarn weights).

My grandmother’s middle name was Viola. I’ve always thought it a beautiful name, but my grandmother hated it. Ok… hate is perhaps too strong a word… Let’s just say she disliked it. Very strongly.

Another thing my grandmother disliked was scarves and shawls around her neck. Especially when placed there by well-meaning friends and family who insisted But it really suits you! She wasn’t going to let others decide what she should wear. My grandmother had a strong sense of personal style, and knew what she liked. And what she didn’t.

So it seems rather befitting to name my new cowl after my grandmother. She probably wouldn’t have enjoyed wearing it (although she would have appreciated the craftmanship), and she never liked the name – a perfect match. Or something.