A Quick Call to Knitters, Crocheters and Designers!

133 Replies

I know I should be reading and not perseverating on this but here I am, at my computer ready to beg.

Gloria emailed me these pictures of the cowl? shawl? that Katniss is wearing in the new movie Catching Fire and she desperately wants to see if I can make us a matching pair. I don’t know if the matching pair statement was thrown in there to melt my heart, thus making it more likely that I would try to venture into this endeavor….but honestly, I don’t think so.

So here’s the deal. I have pictures of it underneath but I think this pattern is crocheted, and I cannot crochet. First problem there. Second problem, I have never tried to copy/write a pattern….ever. So ANY HELP IS SO, SO, SOOO APPRECIATED!!!!!

 

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133 thoughts on “A Quick Call to Knitters, Crocheters and Designers!”

  1. musingrunner

    First, let me say, that is a hot cowl. I love the asymmetrical vibe. I don’t crochet and the dress form photos look like a different pattern than the movie stills, maybe? I bet someone will put a pattern for this on ravelry in the next week or two. I would probably learn to crochet to make this, or adapt it for knitting.

    Reply ↓
    1. allnightknits Post author

      I have learning to crochet on my to do list, but if they come up with a pattern, it’ll skyrocket to the top! My niece is 12 and anything she wants I just want to give her!

      Reply ↓
      1. readingsekhmet

        Okay, during the movie I was checking this thing she was wearing out. It is half crocheted and half knitted. There are point in which I believe there was some weaving through the pattern. The thickness in the kitted sections looks to hold a few strands of a heathered or tweed yarn. I would love a crack at it. I just need some good still shots at all angles of katniss in the woods to manage it. I reverse engineered the USA Winter Olympics hats when they were in Canada.

        Reply ↓
  2. greatbigdragon

    Definitely some kind of rib crochet. Looks
    Like you could do the collar in the round and then the cowl in two triangular pieces as you see where the sleeve is sort of stitched under the arm with thongs.

    Reply ↓
      1. greatbigdragon

        Learn to crochet. Once you get the hang of it, get a fat-handled bamboo hook and you’ll probably get pretty fast at it. I haven’t done much but my second project was pretty much a practice square that turned into a tablet case complete with wood buttons.

        Reply ↓
              1. greatbigdragon

                Lol our cats don’t need my help for that. 🙂

                Maybe someone at a craft store could help you, like where you buy your yarns. Once you get the whole chain/single/half-double/double deal you can learn most other stuff just by watching videos on YouTube or knittinghelp.com.

                Reply ↓
                1. allnightknits Post author

                  I may just suck it up and take a class when the hubby in employed again – my knitting store’s only crocheter does not help people for free. She reminds me a bit of a drill sgt., if a drill sgt. was a 60 year old, chain smoking woman.

                  Reply ↓
                    1. katythenightowl

                      I learned to crochet last July, from watching crochet tutorials on YouTube.
                      bobwilson 123 is a superb teacher, and has some lovely free patterns for you to practice with:
                      http://www.bobwilson123.org/index.html
                      There’s also The Crochet Crowd’s Mikey, who also has a brilliant way with teaching – there are some great patterns at his site, too:
                      http://www.thecrochetcrowd.com

                      I used to knit a lot, but arthritis has prevented me from doing any more, so learning to crochet has been a godsend to me 🙂

                    2. allnightknits Post author

                      Thank you so much, any advice on how to nail crocheting is on the top of my list!
                      I’m arthritic as well, but I find the crochet hook harder than my knitting needles, go figure!

  4. Sara Crafts

    I did a quick look through Ravelry’s patterns and skimmed through the forums (I’m in the midst of making dinner), but didn’t find anything. Perhaps you could post something on the forum? I bet our fellow Ravelers could help.

    Reply ↓
      1. Sara Crafts

        lol. I’m not an expert and only skulk about reading things, not posting. But if you click on “forums” and go to “patterns”, you should be able to find a button or link to “start a topic”.

        Reply ↓
        1. allnightknits Post author

          Thank you. I’m like you, I try to answer people’s questions I know the answer to but have never asked a question myself. People have been so good to me on the blog that it’s like a pay it forward hobby – helping some out.

          Reply ↓
  5. Curls & Q

    Q – My two cents. I’d ask on Ravelry too. It looks as if the top two rings were “crazy eighted” around cording. Then crocheted for about 7? rows around. Then a starting point in the middle of the left shoulder edge, crochet stitches were picked up from the side and increased the row as you crochet towards the right shoulder. Tying off (don’t know the crochet term) when you get to the middle of the right shoulder. Pick up the next stitch on the shoulder and crochet down as many stitches as were on the last row of the previous sideways section. repeat the previous section in the opposite direction. Ending with a shorter row at the left shoulder and tie off. That’s what it looks like to me. LOL

    Reply ↓
              1. Curls & Q

                Q- I taught myself how to crochet back in the dark ages before youTube. I bet you can find a wonderful tutorial. In my opinion it’s easier to crochet, but harder on the hands.

                Reply ↓
                1. allnightknits Post author

                  That is a worry, I am arthritic in my dominate hand. I tried learning to crochet with my left hand when I was in a cast but it was even more difficult than trying to feed myself with it 😉 Plus, there was a lot more cursing….

                  Reply ↓
                  1. katythenightowl

                    I, too, have arthritis in my dominant hand, and have to watch how long I crochet for, but what has made my life a whole lot easier, and is enabling me to crochet more, is buying as many of these hooks as I can:

                    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300884981747?var=600097010956&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

                    They are soft enough to take up most of the pressure strain, but also firm enough to handle really well – I’m gradually replacing all of my hooks with these, and I’m sure you’ll be able to find either these, or the equivalent to them 🙂

                    Reply ↓
    2. lazersheep

      I agree, looks like the neck portion is wrapped around some sort of cording or rope or something. If it were me, I’d do that then just knit a few rounds, then knit 2 ribbed triangles, one for the back, one for the front, but then again, I have an aversion to crochet and can’t wrap my head around more than a chain stitch 😛

      Reply ↓
      1. allnightknits Post author

        I’m in the same boat with crocheting, but I am forcing myself to learn. It’s been painful!:)

        Thanks so much for the advice, this has been so much fun seeing what talented knitters/crocheters have come up with!

        Reply ↓
  6. ellie ryan

    Ooo, I like this and I might have to make one for myself! I can’t crochet either and when I look at the movie poster it definitely looks more like knitting to me, so I’d knit it. For the top part, I’d just do a big ribbed cowl in the round, then I’d knit two triangles separately and then attach them to the cowl. I really love the pattern (it looks sort of like diagonal ribbing, but not?) of the body that is shown in the movie poster. Also I’d knit it at a much looser gauge than what’s shown in the photos from Etsy, the one in the poster looks so flowy and soft in comparison. This looks like such a cool project!!

    Reply ↓
    1. allnightknits Post author

      It came from Etsy huh? Gloria just sent photos and I went straight to posting. Do Etsy designers sell patterns if you swear never to share or sell them? I should just combo her…hold on…Holy Hell she’s charging $82.00! Oh well…back to the drawing board.

      Reply ↓
  8. sourdoughkaty

    It may be crochet, but it reminds me a lot of the mistake rib knitting stitch patten. The mistake rib is very soft, flowy, and slightly clingy. Google it, and you’ll see what I mean. Cool cowl!

    Reply ↓
    1. sourdoughkaty

      You could also approximate the rolled collar effect by throwing a purl row into the right side of stockinette every 5 to 8 rows (depending on your guage). Now you’ve got me thinking about it. Sigh!

      Reply ↓
      1. sourdoughkaty

        Ooo! And if you did the rolled collar effect, but had an extra wide “bump” in the middle, you could fold it inside (the wide bump being the top “roll”) and sew the edge down for an extra thick collar that really liked like rolls…

        Reply ↓
      2. allnightknits Post author

        No sighing! Maybe this would be a great KAL – I’ve never done one but if we can all put our heads together we may be able to figure this out!

        Reply ↓
    3. Glenda

      Hey, sourdoughkaty. I looked up the Etsy product (which is the same pictured here) and the fiber artist does not sell knitted items. I looked at her shop and she “hooks”. FYI And BTW, the mistake rib does look very much like the picture.

      Reply ↓
      1. allnightknits Post author

        I’m a step ahead! I contacted the seller asking if she would sell the pattern (I would never sell it on my sore or the pattern itself of course). She didn’t actually have one, didn’t even know what the stitches were called – she did it all by look and feel. Isn’t that amazing!!
        Anyway, there is a forum open on Raveley if you have any interest, seeing if we knitters cannot get in in the fun!

        Reply ↓
  9. lollyknits

    So I found a better picture of this online, and close up it actually looks like knitting! (Minus the collar.) I’m going to see if I can write up a pattern for this.

    Reply ↓
      1. lollyknits

        Warning, I’m pretty sure it’s in herringbone stitch, which isn’t actually easy, but has lots of video tutorials online. and the top part of the cowl is yarn wrapped around some kind of loop of cord. but I think I can make it happen! I’m going to try to design it, write it up, and release it on Ravelry. Also, I’ll have to make it free so the hunger games people don’t sue me. Better than $82, right?? 😛

        Reply ↓
        1. allnightknits Post author

          Most definitely! Can you set up a pattern for donations? It seems like you should be able to pay designers without it being a requirement…I would donate and I doubt that I am the only one!

          Reply ↓
    1. allnightknits Post author

      I know, right? Now that I have this in my head I can’t seem to get it out of there! Now – is there a section in my local yarn store that sells talent? I’ve looked, but so far no luck 😉

      Reply ↓
  11. Valerie Baber Designs

    Stunning piece. If you can’t crochet I would adapt it to knitting as it is your niche. Went to one of my knitting stitch books and found stitches similar in look like the twisted rib and the twisted stitch rib in Vogue’s volume one book. Then I would try and find a way to do the neck line. You could even use a darning needle and wrap yarn around a group of ribbed stitches to get that effect. That’s what I would do if I couldn’t crochet. Use what I am best at. Have fun. Look forward to seeing what you come up with. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. allnightknits Post author

      I think it’ll be me who is surprised what other bloggers come up with, I think I have set something pretty big into motion here – loads of people are showing interest!

      Reply ↓
  12. piathadani

    Ok, here we go…the top two rows look like they are crocheted around rope or cord of some sort. It looks like this was done in a worsted weight yarn, but working with 2 or 3 strands held together at the same time to give more loops over the cord than there are stitches. Another option could be to just wrap the cord loosely with the yarn first, and then pick up stitches around it by picking up 5 or 6 strands at a time. Not sure if that would work as well though. The next 2 rows are just single crochet. The next 5 rows look like single or half double crochet, but with increases worked in so that it gives it that slight hourglass shape, getting largest at the top of the shoulder, and then finishing off. The bottom looks like it’s worked sideways as 2 separate pieces and then whip stitched on to the top. The bottom should be easy peasy – hdc the max length and then (working into back loops only, to create the ribbed effect), continue in hdc, decreasing each row on one side only until you end up with a triangle. 🙂 the top is the part that’s trickier. I’ve never done the crocheting over a cord before but I’ve seen it done.

    Reply ↓
      1. piathadani

        I could do everything but the first two rows pretty easily, but those first two rows stump me. I’ve never done that kind of work around a rope like that before, I’m not entirely sure how the two rows are joined,and I’m not sure I’d get it right…I’d have to try it out first. Maybe I’ll give it a shot next time I get out to the store. 🙂 I’ll let you know if I do!

        Reply ↓
  13. howserrn

    I love this! I knit and crochet. Unfortunately, I’m crazy busy for the next few weeks. (Trying to finish up my PhD dissertation and crocheting tons of stuff for my upcoming wedding!) I’m typically pretty good at creating patterns from pictures. I’ll put this in the queue. I probably won’t get to it for a month or two. :/ If someone works on it before that, I would love to have the pattern!

    Reply ↓
    1. allnightknits Post author

      I will keep you updated if we come up with one, no worries 😉 Good luck with the gazillion things you have coming up, that is quiet a full plate you have!

      Reply ↓
  14. knitnrun4sanity

    I love this. If you ever pop over to the uk i would gladly help you to crochet. I think all your questions are well on the way to be answered as i am a bit late to the party. Sorry. Xx

    Reply ↓

  15. Pingback: The Very Inspiring Blogger Award…For Me? | All Night Knits

  16. kathatravelling

    This looks so cool! I want one too. And I think I will dry to put together a pattern as well as I think the one from etsy is not exactly like the one in the movie. I think I’ll go for the movie one and I’d knit the lower part and maybe crochet the top. I’ll let you know when I’ve put something together…

    Reply ↓
        1. allnightknits Post author

          Thank you! This is so much fun watching all these knitters and crocheters trying to solve this awesome mind puzzle! I cannot wait to see how this turns out!

          Reply ↓
  17. riversknittingchronicles

    I love this! And I agree, the one in the movie looks pretty different and looks knit to me. I seem to remember finding a Rav group that was dedicated to recreating knits from film and television when I first joined a few years ago. I can’t remember what it was called for the life of me, but I bet if it is still active, they’d be all over this.

    Reply ↓

  18. Pingback: The Quest for the Hunger Games Cowl – part 1 | Travelling the world… and much more

  19. Pingback: The Quest for the Hunger Games Cowl – part 3 | Travelling the world… and much more

  21. contented cat

    oh dear, I am hooked! I need a poncho type shawl that won’t shift, since I am in a motorized wheelchair – so I will make one with a little more of a neck. The top two rows look crazy eighted to me as well. I like the movie poster one, which seems to have a smoother texture worked on a diagonal. I and am working on a pattern. I happened to have a bunch of yarn in browns . . . . . . It won’t be exactly the same so I will be able to sell it. Also, I will not put buttons on it as it could get caught in my chair and I don’t want to copy a fellow etsian!

    Reply ↓
  22. Garnet Rose Crochet

    If I had to guess, I would say the original (movie poster photo) cowl wrap is knitted, but the other is definately crocheted. From what I can see the bottom is done in a single crochet ribbed stitch and the top is done over graduating sizes or thicknesses of cording.

    Reply ↓
    1. allnightknits Post author

      I think that that has been the consensus. Now I am just trying to figure out how to translate the pattern into something I can knit – because heavens knows I cannot crochet that well yet!

      Reply ↓
  23. craftyclairy

    The base is certainly crocheted. It’s worked flat, and increased from a base of either 3 or 5 stitches. The increase happens on every right side row, until it’s as long as you want it. You could knit that with 1×1 rib and kfb in the last stitch. And it’s a superchunky wool, from the look of it.
    Then it goes into the round, and you’d just knit every round for about 6. After that, they’re really big stitches felted for stability. You could probably do 2 or 3 strands held together for the right effect there. Good luck!

    Reply ↓
    2. ctgcernusak

      I agree with you crafty about the bottom. I really think the top 2 rows are crocheted OVER a length of rope or the rope batting used for purse handles. Kind of how you would single crochet over the top of a flip flop. Can’t wait to try it! thx for posting this.

      Reply ↓
      1. allnightknits Post author

        Your welcome. I cannot wait to see all these things finished. I am working as a test knitter on one of the designs and I cannot wait to show Gloria!

        Reply ↓

  25. Pingback: Katniss cowl – Step 1: Joining the rope | Stitches 'n' Scraps

  26. Pingback: Katniss Cowl – Step 2: Crocheting around the rope | Stitches 'n' Scraps

  27. Pingback: Katniss Cowl – Step 4a: Back | Stitches 'n' Scraps

  28. nights7

    I love this cowl and am in the planning phases of attempting it. I’ve been crocheting for a couple years & have made up some hats without a pattern but this will be something quite different for me. I’ll let you know how it goes.

    Reply ↓
      1. Anonymous

        Could you follow directions to crochet around the ropes for the very top of the cowl then knit the rest of the garment? I know next to nothing about knitting but maybe you could find a stitch that has that cable/ribbed effect instead of trying to learn to crochet.

        Reply ↓
        1. allnightknits Post author

          Your directions are fantastic, if I couldn’t follow it I should just give my stash away;) I’ve been looking at it daily in how to work it – with help from everybody playing with this pattern I think I can do it.

          Bravo on your pattern, I’m a little speechless and awed:)

          Reply ↓

  29. Pingback: Katniss Cowl – Step 4b: Front | Stitches 'n' Scraps

  30. Pingback: Katniss Cowl – Step 3: Neck & Shoulders | Stitches 'n' Scraps

  31. Pingback: Katniss Cowl – Back to the drawing board. | Stitches 'n' Scraps

  32. Pingback: Katniss Cowl – FO – as good as it gets | Stitches 'n' Scraps

  34. whiksey

    It’s a very thick yarn and stitch so once a pattern is established, I can’t see it would take that long to whip up.
    I’d love to have a go at it as I’m a comfortable crocheter but I am useless when it comes to writing patterns.

    Reply ↓
    1. allnightknits Post author

      You should give it a whirl, even chicken-scratch notes are better than having no clue. I can follow any pattern thrown at me, but for writing one myself? It’s not pretty 😉

      Reply ↓

  35. Pingback: Free Pattern – Katniss Cowl | Stitches 'n' Scraps

  36. aussieyarning

    May I add my 2 cents worth? I think the top part is not worked in stitches at all but wrapped around the base rope simply using needle and thread. It has probably been done several times around to give that very full look, but if you look closely at the yarn it is not smooth like you get with crochet or even knitting around a cord. I suspect it was done last not first and sewn to the finished body piece as it is wrapped. I’ve made wrapped, rope baskets that way. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. allnightknits Post author

      Thank you for sharing, I honestly hadn’t thought of that. I really like the way that she worked the rope though, it feels very secure to me – how to do wrap without worrying about it fraying of unraveling? This may make me sound dim but eh, I don’t really mind that 😉

      Reply ↓
      1. Joyce Fisher

        I have tried to find the Youtube video that I had watched, but couldn’t. However I found this https://www.google.com.au/search?q=wrapping+rope+with+fabric&rlz=1C1GGGE___AU512AU512&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=CGgJUp2PEMuUiQfoxIGgCA&ved=0CD8QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=621#bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=59f2de0bf25c54bb&q=wrapping+rope+with+yarn+video&sa=1&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=ReMVqQt5GtRA5M%3A%3BiDfNpZyFdaKttM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fassets4.designsponge.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F03%252Fds_diy_ropebasket_step5.jpg%253F73626%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.designsponge.com%252F2012%252F03%252Fdiy-project-color-block-coiled-rope-basket.html%3B500%3B372
        (I hope that shows the link properly) which shows a small sample of how you would wrap the yarn around the rope with a needle to make more than one level. I suspect that the cowl is not using typical rope, but the softer cotton stuff that is used in furnishing.

        Hope that helps. 🙂

        Reply ↓

  38. Pingback: Breaking the Ruffle Scarf Diet | All Night Knits

  39. Torrie

    I am the creator of this piece and I will tell you all it is not this simple, it is worked from the top down as one single unit, there is no sewing or piecing together, if.I knew how to knit I would have dreamt it up as a knit, also after creating first piece I remade it a little neater and made additional piece that is closer to the actual ‘armor’ as Like to call it, that can be seen in the newer previews, all can be found in my shop, hookedknits.etsy.com As most you know knitting and crocheting while relaxing and fun can be hard work, I have spent a lot of time staring at the movie poster to solve this puzzle.the challenge has taught ne a lot about my own skills and has pushed me to dive into taking my love of crochet full time. I truly appreciate all the complements and efforts in attempting to solve the mystery, if I were able to write patterns or read them I would list the pattern for everyone, but as I am self taught and intuitive that will not be happening anytime soon. Thanks for your interest and good luck! I look forward to seeing all the versions and some of my own durring Halloween and while attending the Hunger Games in November.

    Torrie
    Hookedknits

    Reply ↓

  41. Pingback: Week of Finishing part 3: The Katniss Cowl…. Finally | Night'sWatchBlog

      1. Chrissy

        I found this thread awhile back, as I love the cowl! I just saw on capitol couture that they announced the designer of the cowl – her name is Maria Dora. It looks like the cowl is actually woven though?? It’s beautiful though, and she has really great work, so kudos to her.

        Reply ↓
  43. allnightknits Post author

    There are several knitted Katniss cowls, just like Lolly made. Something is bothering me though – I looked at your Etsy page , what do you mean by not “arts and crafts”?

    Reply ↓
    1. Diana

      Wow! Thanks for checking it out! Yes, I saw several knitted versions… I just meant since you liked knit you might be interested in checking it out! And I do love Lolly’s but I am pretty lazy and just don’t want to deal with the ‘extras’ that some patterns have used to make that fabulous collar. So I designed mine to be just yarn and just knitting needles to make it. I like to knit on the couch in front of the tv and feel like a lot of others do too and might appreciate a pattern such as mine. I’m not so good with words… maybe I need to take another look at the line?? 🙂

      Reply ↓
  44. Sarah Seifert

    soooo….I do crochet and would love to work from the pattern you had for this. Would you pretty please share the link to it?

    Reply ↓

  46. Pingback: Oh No! Thor Has More Knitwear I Want! | All Night Knits

  47. howserrn

    My mom emailed me a couple of days ago and told me my sister is in love with “some sweater thing” Katniss wears on Catching Fire. Perfect Christmas present! I looked around online and couldn’t find a pattern with anything resembling the back details. I think most of them were made before the movie came out. I’m working on the crazy complicated collar now. The knitting I have planned to simulate the woven cowl is actually pretty easy. I’ll share the pattern after Christmas!

    Reply ↓

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