October 8, 2013
Finished last weekend. It turned out slightly smaller than the pattern indicated (which was 32” cir by 18.75” high), but I think it is plenty big. Jim took some photos, so you can judge for yourself.

The 425.8 yds includes all those swatches I did; the actual yardage for the cowl is about 326 yards.

The yarn was a bit scratchy, but softened up nicely when I washed it (I used Soak).

July 28, 2013
Just got home from a several day trip. I knitted three swatches - two with needles I’d taken with me (size 6 & 7), one with size 8 needles that I bought in Illinois. Finally settled on that size, and got started on the cowl proper. The yarn is showing the pattern well, and I think this will work up into a nice cowl.

The size 8 swatch is still slightly small, but I can’t see going up another needle size, so I’m going to stick with the 8. Hopefully my gauge will loosen up a bit, and the fabric will stretch a bit - and if not, I think there’s enough give-and-take that the cowl will be just fine as is.