Swan Wrap Complete

I liked the way this turned out. It wrap is lightweight, and the pink tones blend very well with the grey of the wool. I don’t typically wear wraps or scarves, but I might be able to fit this into my wardrobe.

Swan Wrap pattern available in Sock One-Skein Wonders (Amazon link). Yarn was one-part stash (unknown origin) and one-part Erica Knight Wool Local.

The pattern was easy to memorize and grew on each repeat for a scalloped edge. The wingspan is very long compared to the depth of the wrap, but it would make a good scarf.

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.

 

 

Bart & Francis – Brioche Knitting

I was certain that I had posted a “casting on” photo, or at least a WIP photo, but I may have only thought I did.

Here is another Nancy Marchant project, Bart & Francis, published in Knitting Fresh Brioche: Creating Two-Color Twists & Turns, available from Amazon.

Continuing as before, I selected a pattern that would use an entire skein of Lion Shawl in a Ball yarn, this time in color Cleansing Quartz, along with the companion Knitpicks Stroll Fingering in color Black.

Also, continuing as before, it took multiple tries to get the hang of the pattern.  I wish I could figure out what my problem is with these patterns – It’s like that “Magic Eye” picture – it makes no sense until, suddenly, it does, and then it’s a great project and lots of fun.

Diagonal Herringbone Scarf

I wanted an easy project, with an easy-to-memorize pattern, that I could pick up and set down without fear of losing my place, and which would be transportable.

While I didn’t find quite what I was looking for in my usual places (my digital library, Ravelry, Pinterest), I did find some things that seemed close.

Meanwhile, I had time for a visit to my favorite LYS, River Knits, where I enjoy spending time between meetings when I am in downtown Lafayette (Indiana).  I picked up two balls of Berroco Millefiori, in color 7891 “Terra.”  This is a nice variegated yarn in a bulky (#4) size.  The color patterns looked nice, but would not show up well in a fussy pattern (lacy or otherwise).  I found a herringbone stitch that I liked, but thought that it would look too plain for the nice yarn.  I decided to make it a diagonal herringbone, and it turned out just like I wanted.

Pattern is easy:  Cast on 35 stitches (or any odd number).

• Row 1 – Knit through front and back of first two stitches (increase 2), *Slip 1, Knit 1, pass slipped stitch over knitted stitch and knit slipped stitch.  Repeat from * to last 4 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 2 together (decrease 2).
• Row 2 – Purl 2, Knit 1, *Purl 2 together, then purl through 2nd stitch before dropping off needle.  Repeat from * to end.
• Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until you have just enough yarn left to bind off.  I used two skeins of the Millefiori, which was perfect for this project.

I think the herringbone stitch and diagonal format worked well with this yarn, and I really enjoyed this project. The resulting fabric is soft but sturdy and will make a nice warm gift.

Easy Mistake Stitch Scarf

I’m in an easy-project mood.  My day job is getting busy (tax season), so I don’t want to have to think when I’m unwinding.  Easy-to-memorize, quick-to-complete  projects are on the docket for now.

Easy Mistake Stitch Scarf is the pattern.  The link is to a version posted on PearlSoho.

I don’t think this is the version I made.  I pulled the pattern either from Pinterest or Ravelry and kept it on my tablet, so I don’t have good history.  Once I memorized the pattern, I didn’t refer to it.

Yarn is Patons Chunky Shetland Tweed, in color Dark Forest Green.  This is technically a “stash-buster” project, because I’ve had the yarn for a long time.  I don’t think this color is available, though the product is still around.  I’m fairly sure I purchased this at JoAnn’s Fabric and Crafts.

Modeled by my Washburn guitar. Another hobby I enjoy and never have enough time to pursue.

Lucienne Scarf

Again, the Christmas confusion and the quick-knit of this project contributed to a lack of WIP photos.

This is Lucienne Scarf, a paid pattern by Katinka Designs.  I was attracted to it enough to pay for the pattern, and I don’t regret that investment.  This is a lovely and easy to work pattern.  I will certainly use it, again. My complements to the designer.

Yarn is my third color of three – Shawl in a Ball, by Lion Brand, in color Feng Shui Grey.

After three skeins, I still enjoy the look and feel of this yarn.  While “Shawl in a Ball” is nicely poetic, I really think it should be “Scarf in a Ball,” as more accurate.  All three scarves knit up to a very nice size, but would be too small for a shawl.

Here is the completed project, both blocked and as finally finished.  I really like the drape of the finished fabric, and the two recipients of the previous two scarves seemed to really like the end result.

Note my Christmas gift to myself:  Knitted Love Interlocking Blocking Mats.  As you might have noticed in the previous scarf photos, I had to use two different media to block the scarves.  This system lets me build the size of mat that suits the project.  (That said, I would probably need another set for a larger or multi-piece project like a sweater).

(Click image for large-photo slide show)

 

Rushing Rivulet Socks Done!

I have completed 3 sock patterns (technically, 4, if you count the baby-techique sock) from the Cat Bordhi’s New Pathways for Sock Knitters (apparently, no longer available from Amazon, but through some of the internet yarn stores see link above), and have thoroughly enjoyed the process.   Not only have I enjoyed learning several new techniques (toe-up, riverbed construction, new heel option, and picot edging -though that last was not from Cat but from the Gardner Sock pattern), but the patterns were delightful to knit and (IMHO) turned out well.

I think I’ve finally figured out the picot edging, so it’s featured on one of the photos in the slide show below.

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