Cowl designing

I read a (Hungarian) blogpost about the 2012 knitting trends. The article wrote about this autumns trends to wear cowl, mittens and collar. I've learned quickly to knit in round (yet before the article ;), and started to collect some patterns on Ravelry. And I felt I urgently need a cowl! Now I have 2 works in progress, but no problem, I'll quickly make an easy cowl, without a direct pattern. At least that was what I thought. :)

I ordered my things during the weekend, so now my yarns are organized in boxes. I've chosen a purple yarn, whereof I made a shawl last year. I made a test with a 5.0 mm size needle, but I found, my needle is too big for this yarn. I tried again with 4.0 mm needle - it was much more nicer. So I started to make my cowl...

I knitted a short part border, then I tried a "dotted pattern". That was terrible...

Where are my dots...?

In a knitting forum the people said, I use a too thick needle. I pulled down the dotted part, and after the border, I changed the needle to 3,5 mm. But the dotted pattern still didn't look good. Finally I've chosen a lace pattern, and I've bought a 'high quality' needle for the magic loop technique.

Now I'm halfway through, and I think, I've divided back about fifty times. :P
If i ever have it completed, I'll post the knitting pattern! ;)

Pantone colors, 2012 fall

Every year Pantone makes a forecast about the most determinative colors of the next season.
What do you think about the current colors? :)

French Roast: this is a typical autumn tone, ideal alternative of black and grey.
Honey Gold: this warm  tone of yellow is quoted in the autumn sunshine. Use with Olympian Blue!
Pink Flambé: this color reminds me of the Pantone color of 2011 year. That was the honeysuckle. With Tangerine Tango it gives a very retro feeling. :)
Tangerine Tango: this is the Pantone color of 2012. Energetic, powerful and cheerful. I love it!
Ultramarine Green: about this color from the Pantone page: "“love magic” - witches and warlocks, misty landscapes, love potions and dreamy skies set the mood for colors this season" Great idea!
Bright Chartreuse: this yellow-green tone reminds me of the spring. Use with Pink Flambé - really fresh and powerful combination!
Olympian blue: intensive tone, use with neutral colors, for example Ginseng and Hasel.
Titanium: very elegant and many-sided color
Rhapsody: I really love this tone with Titanium. Elegant and womanly pairing.
Rose Smoke: it's like as my favourite nail polish. ;) Soft pastel and nude tone. Have you tried with Titanium? - yeah, I think, Titanium is a very multifunctional tone. :)

Which colors would you wear from these? :)