It's a Wrap!

Sorry, I couldn't resist the flimsy pun.  My Wrap-Me-Shawl/Scarf is finally finished.  I blogged about it way back on August 28.  The finished piece really can double as a light shawl or a substantial scarf.  I used Chris de Longpre's addendum for converting shawl into scarf.  It ate yarn.  I used about three and a half skeins of Noro Silk Garden sock yarn in two colorways and then a solid mocha sock yarn and a coffee sock yarn.  I would guess about 1500 yards of fiber knit on #4 needles.  I LOVED knitting this thing.  Every block was an adventure.  I really didn't want it to end.

My KnitPicks add-on needles really saved the day when I was knitting the garter stitch on the long edge.  Here it is in full length.  Wish it were a bit straighter but won't matter when it's on.

Added this last block of wager welt pattern  per Chris's suggestion for a scarf. Then added my own touch of a random bobble band.  I loved doing the picot edge.

 The multi-directional piece in the upper right top is knitted separately and then attached with the 3-needle bind off.  Best to do this with a needle several sizes larger to keep the flexibility in the scarf.

 Having the ruffle running through vertically adds such a whimsical touch.
I am already planning my next one.  Wonder if I have enough handspun of the same weight to give that a try?  Off to check my growing/groaning stash!

Wrap-Me-Up-Shawl adventures

Betsy found the pattern for the Wrap-Me-Up-Shawl by Chris de Longpré at the Fiber Festival in Charlevoix, Mi., the end of last month.  Since then she has been working as a woman obsessed on her version. 

These are actually pics of her second version.  She frogged (ripped out for the non- knitting savvy) the first one.  Noro Silk Garden in soft creams and mochas made the cut for this version. 

I liked Betsy's choices so much that I basically copied her, except I am doing mine in Silk Garden sock yarn in 2 colorways and and two solids on #4 needles which should make a scarf.  I don't really care.  Learning new stitches and seeing how the textures work out is hypnotic.  Matter of fact, I'm off to steal a few minutes to work on Block 7 right now.

Here are a view finished versions I found on Ravelry or the web:

Products from the Porch

Multidirectional Scarf.

I really have been doing something  with all my porch time here in Harbor Springs.  I used Noro silk Garden lite in a funky colorway that I just love for this scarf.   I plan to start another one from some of my own handspun BFL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Pattern Launch for Joanne T.

Yes! Joanne T. of TerrificCreations.etsy.com has created this Trinket Scarf and Shawl pattern. It has ruffles and a super soft drape thanks to the dropped stitch element. Details are here on Ravelry.


I have knit two scarves, so far, as test pieces, and now am ready to do a shawl with the handspun. The teal greens one is a Paton sock yarn. The yellow one was knit from natural dyed (marigolds) merino from Cerro Mojino Ranch. Two mismatched rovings from Taos Sunflower (see last post for this fingering weight yarn) should make a whisper weight shawl for cool summer evenings.

It is a blast to knit. Dropping the stitch and watching the ladder slip down the piece is almost a fiendish delight since it is on purpose. I think a finished shawl or scarf may just show up in Cordova Studios. I mean, how many shawls can a girl wear???

Man Scarf

Do you "heart" Noro Silk Garden yarn? I have an on-going obsession with this yarn. So, when a friend wanted a hand knit scarf for a guy friend, I scoured the Noro colorways and found this one on sale during the Woolie Ewe annual sale.

Subtle "man" tones of camel and grey vary through out with out one perceptible repeat even though I used four skeins of the same dyelot.

The darker grey area you see once never reappears. Noro does a masterly dye job.

Here it is again folded in half. Finished dimensions are 8+ a little inches wide by 65 inches. long. I knit it in seed stitch on size US#9 needles.. It is so simple. I might write it up as a free pattern on Ravelry.

Taos Sunflower stretched

I have been a consummate fan of Taos

Sunflower's rovings.

In my next to last post, I sharing some all balled up and ready for plying. Pictured here are two skeins I gleaned from a previous Falkland roving dyed by the master dyer, Martie. You can tell I like pairing these with this wonderful lichen green merino and silk. I think I have enough for a scarf or a one-skein wonder shawl.