Pashimina Wrap

This is a beautiful wrap pattern from John Brinegar, available free on Ravelry.  Pashimina is a generous and drapey wrap that will work well with many styles.

The yarn is Artful Yarns Lustro in color 3903.  The yarn is discontinued, and I purchased it years ago for a sweater, but never liked how it swatched up for that purpose, so it languished in my stash.

The colors for this yarn are a three-ply of forest green and brown wrapped in a gold netting-style ply.   I wasn’t happy with how it worked up for a sweater, but I think I’m going to like the wrap.

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Trellis Leaf Stole (WIP)

This is Trellis Leaf Stole from the book Lace One-Skein Wonders book by Judith Durant (Editor) and one of the “One-Skein Wonders” books, of which I have several.

The yarn is a single-ply, cotton, hand-dyed yarn I found at the Richmond, Indiana yarn store, Ply Fiber Arts.  Unfortunately, I’ve mislaid the tag, so I can’t tell you about the artist.  This is, technically, a one-skein project, though the yarn is 800+ yards.

Ply Fiber Arts is located in downtown Richmond and is a terrific boutique-style yarn store.  The website photo is representative of the bright, spacious shop, with plenty of lovely specialty and premium yarns.  If you get over to Richmond, I recommend you stop for a visit.

Richmond, Indiana, is also the southern-most point of the Cardinal Greenway, which is a biking path from Richmond to Marion.  My friend B and I have enjoyed biking on that trail more than once (though we have never gone the full 60 miles from Richmond).

While I’m enjoying this project (the size 2 needles are a nice switch from the size 10 needles for other projects), I’m not as fond of the yarn as I hoped.  This is another example of yarn that looks better on the hank than it does knit up.  It’s a lovely color but the stripes are too narrow and busy.  I’m hoping that the finished project “blends” with whatever it’s worn with, and is not so distracting.

This is why I keep telling myself to skip the novelty yarns – they usually don’t work up as well as I imagine (or, I am not imaginative enough to work them up properly – either could be true).

Repose Afghan

Alas, no expected babies among my friends (or, perhaps more accurately, among children of my friends).  However, on a recent trip to Michaels for an unrelated reason, I took a pass through the yarn section (a “must-see” diversion from my path) and found this fun Bernat Mix Baby, in color White.

Two cool things about this yarn:  First – it’s a multi-fiber, meaning that it switches from several different types of fiber along a color palette.  This makes for a very interesting variegated piece.   Second – it is a “Big ball” variety – meaning it is a 1/2 pound of bulky weight yarn, which works up into a very nice baby blanket, and you don’t have to purchase dozens of yarn balls to make a respectably sized blanket.

As a bonus, the yarn is manufactured especially for babies and carries OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification for substances that might be found in normal dyes and fibers but might be harmful to babies or people with sensitivities.

The pattern is Repose from the Leisure Arts Book, Big Book of Quick Knit Afghans.  While, normally, this afghan would be knit with two strands of yarn held together, because this is a baby afghan, and because of the novelty yarn, I am adjusting the needle size, accordingly, and knitting with one strand.  It is working beautifully, and the afghan pattern complements the change in yarn.

I try to pass by novelty yarns, because I tend to be drawn to them (a sucker for the marketing, am I), but this is a terrific product and I am enjoying this project.

Peaceful Afghan

I’m in afghan-making mode, again.  A combination of upcoming events, new yarn to try, and anticipation of cooler weather (not happening yet) has put me in the mood.

This is Peaceful from the Leisure Arts “Big Book of Quick Knit Afghans.”  I’ve made this afghan before, and I’ve knit from this book many times.   The afghans are beautiful and (as advertised) quick to knit, primarily because you use regular sweater-weight yarn knit with two strands held together.  It makes for a lofty, generous result.

This piece is knit with Plymouth Yarn Company’s Encore Tweed in color Oatmeal – another go-to product for afghan projects.  It’s a nice and durable yarn and easy to work with.  I like the tweed effect, which gives the piece more interest and depth.

This afghan is a wedding gift.  These days, with couples marrying later in life and not really needing the normal “house starting” gifts, an afghan seems like a nice option – everyone (in my region, anyway) can use an afghan, and it makes a lovely hand-made gift.

Tip – I usually include a yarn band with a gift, so the recipient knows how to clean and care for the item.

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Quick and Easy – Thunderstorm Scarf

Another “one-skein scarf” marketing.  This is Lion Brand Scarfie Yarn in color Charcoal/Magenta.  Of course, intended as a color blending/self-striping scarf and, of course, perfect for a quick and easy project.

I’m starting a couple of afghan projects (stay tuned for posts), so used this project to “warm up.”  Quick, easy, and fun.

The pattern is Thunderstorm Scarf published by Michaels’ and free at the store.  I unintentionally purchased some yarn at Michaels’ when I was at the store for some other, completely legitimate, purchases unrelated to knitting.

The pattern was very easy to memorize – actually, the tough part was not getting distracted from the pattern, it was so easy.

I thought it turned out very nicely, and will make a nice, warm, and cozy gift.