Tag Archives: scarf

Inspiration: Phew!

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The Olympics are over and my sweater has finished blocking (just in time for a few lovely, cool days).  I love my new sweater, and there’s no denying that speed knitting can be very satisfying, but now my mind is wandering to a new project.  Something that I can really sink my teeth into, something I can work on slowly and carefully.  Something stupidly elaborate and full of ridiculous details.

This scarf/wrap is just gorgeous.  I love the use of a semi-solid with the slowly-transitioning rainbow colorway.  And the little sticky-outy leaves are a fantastic detail.  (Though one I think would drive me a little bit crazy to work up.)

Snood Forest Witch by Svetlana Gordon1m_medium2[1]And every time I see this project go across my screen, my heart skips a beat.  I love looking at all the beautiful colors people choose.  And, honestly, I can’t even guess how it’s constructed (short rows, maybe?)!

Fox Paws by Xandy Peters

2016-06-21-21-46-26_medium2[1]And, I do love lace.  It’s been years since I really sunk my teeth into a full-on lace shawl.  And this one has beads.  (And little cables.)

Lily-of-the-Valley-Rosea by Alla Borisova4_medium2[1]What do you like to work on when you’re looking for a complicated, careful knit?

Game Knitting

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Last weekend I went to a fun little knitting convention in Seattle, and I did something awesome that I’ve never one before!

Game Knitting!

Game+Knitting+©+Lee+Meredith[1]

Game Knitting was originally developed by Lee Meredith of Leethal Knits, and it’s a super fun, goofy way to knit.

You pop on a favorite movie (or TV show, or podcast, or audio book), and get ready to knit.  Then, decide what “thing” you’re going to watch for.  Maybe you’re watching Law and Order and you listen for each time the soundtrack goes “chung chung!” Or, if you’re listening to a Harry Potter book, you could look for each time they say the word “magic.”  Basically, think about it like you’re doing a drinking game, but if you were actually drinking, you would end up in the hospital for alcohol poisoning in about fifteen minutes.

Anyway, we watched Clueless (one of my favorites)! And we had a whole list of “things:”  90s slang, crazy hats, baggy pants, Paul Rudd, giant cell phones etc.11168928_800[1]So, once you’ve picked your “thing” and you’ve got your yarn and needles, start knitting something small and simple.  There were folks making hats, mitts, coffee cozies, and washcloths.  I decided to make a simple garter stitch scarf with my hand-spun multi-color yarn.

Then, every time you come across your “thing” you do something to change your knitting.  I switched from knitting to purling.  Some people added a yo/k2tog eyelet, some people knit a bobble or switched colors.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAMy scarf (or at least the first 6 inches of it) is super cute and squishy.  The random knit/purl pattern is great with my less-than-perfect handspun, and is going to be an adorable winter accessory.  (And a great excuse to watch more movies!)

Basically, it’s a simple knitting recipe for when you want to make something silly and fun!  I love it!

Would you ever try Game Knitting?  What movie would you watch?  What would your “thing” be?

Pattern: Ride the Rails

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What?  Another new pattern?!  (I said I had two patterns in the new Knit Picks collection… did you catch that?)32752[1]This one is  awesome, too (if I say so myself).

My Ride the Rails Scarf is a double-sided scarf, complete with three-color colorwork and knit with sock yarn on teeny tiny needles.  So, I’d say it is slightly more “tricksy” than my usual patterns.

51974220_7_medium[1]But, as much of an undertaking as it may be to make one of these scarves, the finished product is totally worth it.  The double-layer knitting makes the scarf lovely and warm, the gauge makes the scarf feel totally luxurious, and the three colors can be customized to match your favorite winter coat.

51974220_10_medium2[1]Get your copy of the collection from KnitPicks!

Or, reply to Wednesday’s post to enter into the drawing for a free copy of the book!

Funfetti-Projects!

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It’s taken months to finish spinning my Funfetti yarn. Now it will take me months to find the perfect pattern.

Part of the problem is that the yarn has fairly long runs of color- not long enough to be considered self-striping, but not short enough to be considered variegated.  I have to be careful with the pattern I pick, or the colors might start to pool weirdly.

For example, if I pick a shawl or scarf that’s knit longways, the colors will be all spread out and more muddled toghether:

HorizontalLots of shawls are knit this way, like The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief by Orange Flower Yarn.

20_00-_leagues_shawl_2_small_best_fit[1]Or, if I knit it shortways, the colors might pool against themselves, making a kind-of-striped look:

VerticalScarves tend to be knit this way, like Baktus Scarf by Strikkelise.

DSCN3515_small[1]Or, of course I could pick a shawl that is knit both longways and shortways, like the French Cancan by Mademoiselle C.  (The body of this shawl is knit longways, while the edging is knit shortways.)

DSC_8833_small_best_fit[1]But, if I’m being honest, my Funfetti Yarn will probably just sit on my shelf, being pretty for a good year or so.  But it’s a fun thing to think about!

What would you make with my Funfetti Yarn?

Inspiration: Off to College

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My brother-in law is right in the middle of his first month at college, and I’m so excited for him!  He’s going to SIU, Carbondale (in Illinois), and working for a degree in Aviation. How impressive is that!   He already has his private pilot’s liscense, and he’s well on his way to becoming a commercial airplane pilot.  He’s been into planes since I met him when he was little-more than 10 years ago, and now he’s turning his passion into a career.  It’s so impressive!

As you know, when I get excited about something, I think about what I can knit to celebrate it.  And in this case,  here’s what I’m thinking:

My brother-in-law is a guy of simple tastes and if I were to make him a sweater, it would definitely look something like this.  Simple, utilitarian, and nice and warm for those Illinois winters.

# 1212 Zipper Hoodie for Men by Diane Soucylo_res_hoodie_medium2[1]But that would be pretty boring to knit.  So maybe I should making something a little goofier.  Like this airplane-themed hat.

The Airplane Beanie by North Star KnitsPlane_Hat_1_medium2[1]I suppose that hat is a little juvenile for a 18-year-old college student, though.  I guess I should go classic and make my brother-in-law a SIUC scarf and call it a day.  I’d just have to change the colors from blue and orange to burgundy and black, and I’d be good to go.

Clemson College Scarf by Molly Mattersoct8_019_medium2[1]Congrats to my brother-in-law!  I can’t wait to see where you go!

Inspiration: Sick Day

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Ugh…  I am feeling super under the weather today.  I’ll spare you the details (because ew), but suffice it to say that I kind of want to go back to bed and curl up with a cup of tea and a handful of Rolaids.  Blergh.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m feeling poorly, nothing sounds better than snuggling up under a literal pile of knitting.

Let’s start with a simple, cozy pullover.  I kind of super want to make this sweater.

Undone by Jen GeigleyDSC_7173_medium2[1]Then pile on a big old cabled scarf- the kind that is so fluffy just your eyes peek out over top.

Celtic Cable Scarf by Martin Storeyceltic_20cable_20web_20cov_medium2[1]And finish this sick-day ensemble with a simple textured blanket.  This would be great wrapped around your shoulders while you heated up water for a third cup of peppermint tea, or tucked around your legs while sitting on the couch.  Delightful!

Chloe Blanket by Libby Summers

chloebeige_medium[1]Well, I’m about ready to go back to sleep.  What do you do on your sick days?

Inspiration: Marriage Equality!

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I do my best to keep this blog as politics- and opinion- free as possible (except my opinions on socks, which are varied and many).  But, sometimes, something happens in the news that is so amazing, so life-changing, so fantastic that you can’t help but celebrate it!

The Supreme Court, just this morning, ruled that same-sex marriage is a right covered by the constitution!  That means that same-sex marriage is now legal in all 50 states!  It makes me so happy that I’m literally tearing up writing this.  It’s an amazing day, and, in my opinion 100% the right decision.

Read this paragraph from their decision (it’s the last paragraph on page 28, if you’re interested):

No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were.  As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death.  It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves.  Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law.

The Constitution grants them that right. The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.

It is so ordered

Oh my god.  It’s so beautiful and moving.  Let me go find a Kleenex.

I have friends and relatives in the LGBT community, and I couldn’t be happier for them.  And, frankly, even if I didn’t know anyone in that community, I would still remember this day as a great day for human rights in our country.

(And it’s Seattle Pride this weekend!  What a great week!)

I want to celebrate this historic decision by breaking out the happiest, most Pride-y projects I could find!

Rainbow Dress by Georgie Hallam

Does this come in my size?

sagesrainbow_medium2[1]Rainbow Child by Rebecca Newman

Just kidding… I think I want this hoodie instead!IMG_4996_medium2[1]Monstermitts by Julia Allen

Although, if I wanted to finish a project before this weekend… I might be able to whip up a pair of these.

IMGP8512_medium2[1]Contagious by Deborah Frank

But, no,  I think what I really want is one of these.

contagious_1_medium2[1]Yay, SCOTUS!  You rock (especially Kennedy, Kagan, Sotomayor, Breyer, and my girl, the Notorious RBG).  Keep doing what you’re doing!

Pattern: One Row Wonder

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Weee-Ahhhhh, Weee-Ahhhh!  (That’s the “New Pattern Alarm”… couldn’t you tell?)

I came up with this project on vacation, in the back of a minivan, when I was stuck with a ball of lovely blue gradient hand-spun, a pair of needles, and no pattern.  I wanted to make a shawl, but not a normal shawl.  A shawl that was easy enough to knit in the back of a minivan while sightseeing.  Something with an interesting shape, but virtually no pattern to memorize.

Thus was born the One Row Wonder.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe One Row Wonder Shawl might just be the perfect pattern. With only one row to memorize, you’ll have a brand new shawl with almost no effort! It can be knit at any gauge and with any yarn. It’s a perfect way to use up leftover yarn or that extra-special skein that’s been waiting in your stash (you know the one). The finished shawl has a unique shape, which wears like a scarf, but has the look of a triangle shawl. The One Row Wonder will knit up in no time and quickly become a favorite part of your wardrobe.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI made mine with a lovely, chunky yarn, but now I’m itching to work one up in fingering yarn.  How cute would it be made with stripes of leftover sock yarn?

Get the pattern for free!

One Row Wonder Shawl

EDIT 9/20/2015:  Sorry for the confusion about the “Loop Increase.”  Apparently lots of places have different definitions.  This tutorial from Knit Picks outlines how I do the Loop Increase.

350 (yards)

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It’s my 350th post!  That means I’ve written almost enough posts for you to read one every day for a year (if you wanted to go back and re-read them, I suppose.  Though why would you?).  I’ve got some awesome things planned for the next few months, and I can’t wait to show them to you (hopefully I’ll have time to realize all my ideas.  That’s always the problem.  Too many ideas and not enough time).

I’ve even got three free patterns churning around in various stages of not-quite-finished yet.  In the meantime, here are three awesome patterns from Ravelry that use about 350 yards of yarn (See what I did there?).

In the next couple weeks, I should have a very cool shawl/scarf pattern (not this one) finished up.  I just need to take some pictures and do some formatting on the final pattern.

TGV (High Speed Knitting) by Susan Ashcroft

rainbow_10_medium2[1]I’m working on baby sweater for a friend that’s expecting.  Once she gets her present, I’ll be posting the pattern I designed for her.  It’s not as fancy as this one, but still pretty cute.  (And, sorry to be vague.  I think she reads the blog.)

Latte Baby Coat by Lisa Chemery

DSC_0414_medium2[1]And, this one you know about.  We’re getting dangerously close to casting on our Design Series Socks.  I can’t wait!  (But, I suppose these are cute, too.)

Simple Garter Stitch Slippers by handepande

DSC_6605_medium2[1]Thanks for being patient!  I am excited about these upcoming projects (and other ideas bouncing through my head.  Soon, guys!  Soon!

(And don’t forget to enter your name into the drawing for a copy of Cute, Cuter, Cutest! I’ll be picking a winner on Friday!)

Doctor Who and the Knitter Who Wouldn’t Stop

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I just found out something amazing.

You know Doctor Who, right?  (One of the longest-running scripted television show in history.  It’s a classic story of a time traveling alien and his friends run around the universe causing trouble and trying to save the day.)

Anyway, back in the 70s, the Doctor looked like this:

fourth-doctor-tom-baker-2[1]You see that scarf?  That epic 20-foot-long monstrosity?

I always assumed that it was a deliberately-planned costuming decision.  You know, something to make the Doctor look fun and quirky.  But I just learned the real reason, and it’s so much better than I could have imagined.

The costume designer for the show, James Acheson (who was not a knitter),  picked out the yarn colors for the scarf, but didn’t know how much yarn went into a normal-sized scarf.  He gave the yarn to a local knitter (with the extremely British name of Begonia Pope) with vague instructions to make a striped scarf.

Apparently, she took him at his word and used all the yarn.  And, instead of stopping at a regular 5- or 6-foot-long scarf, she kept going, until it ended up more than twenty-feet long.

After some understandable surprise, the cast and crew decided they liked the scarf, and the rest is history.

Want to make your own Doctor Who Scarf?  Load up on lots (and lots and lots) of wool and get to work!

Doctor Who Scarf – Season 12 by Chris Brimelow

3288926774_2084f8846b_z[1]Do you have any favorite pop-culture knitting?