One Skein Scarf Recipe

Saw someone a few years ago with a very simple scarf and have tried to copy it. This is more of a recipe than a pattern. Pattern uses sock yarn but you could also use sport or heavier.  It’s meant to be long enough to wrap around a couple of times for that bundled up feeling.  For my example I cast on 44 stitches and knit until I ran out of yarn. You may want a second skein if you want it wider or longer.  My finished and blocked dimensions are 16”wide by 7.5’ long.

The Turkish Stitch is one of the most basic forms of lace faggoting.  It consists of yarn overs and knit two together with knit stitches on the end of each row. The repeat works with an even number of stitches.  Using larger needles makes it more open and drape. Making it wider will give you a shawl more than a long scarf.

CO 44 st loosely (or any even number, depending on width desired) or provisional* cast on
Knit one row
K1, *YO, K2 tog   Repeat from * across ending with K1
Repeat this row.
Cast off loosely.

Provisional Notes
* if you used provisional cast on, knit one row, cast off.
To have a stretchy bind on to match the bind off, use the optional  winding provisional cast on.  Leave enough yarn to cast off with no joins.
Check this video for a super simple provisional cast on. https://youtu.be/lzt3al9wwYk

Suggestion - Use a safety line throughout as dropped stitches are not easy to pick up.

Completed Projects and Spring Knitting!

Well, the weather keeps teasing us with occasional hints of warmer things to come and the stores are backing that up with all the new spring and summer clothes and outdoor things.

Completed Projects 

A new favorite - this is the Churchmouse Folded Poncho pattern and I just love the elegant simple design.  It was a lesson in frustration though since I had a cutting accident when I removed the provisional cast on.  Those tiny scissors are so dangerous!!  I was able to repair it and unless you look really hard, you don't see it.  This wool made the nicest weight fabric and it should be something I go to a lot to wear. 

This is the Katrine Cardigan.  It is a heavy weight cowl sweater and I just love it!  I put wood painted buttons on it and it is great on it's own or with a down vest.  

This is the Light and Up shawl - the first one I have made in this shape.  I was a bit short for wool so it's a couple of rows less than it called for but it turned out quite well.  There were tassel's on the pattern but with no wool I could not make them.  

 

This is the Rayne Wrap and I was so excited to start this project but by the end I hated it.  It was very boring and the pattern is not the best.  I had to modify it and if I ever made it again, as I had planned to with more expensive wool, I would cast off the sleeve holes and pick up those stitches to start the sleeves.  With it being continuous it pulls too much and there is no strength in the join.  I also made the armholes larger than the pattern called for and they are just barely big enough.  It's still a fun sweater to wear and unique!

 

This is the 22 Little Clouds scarf.  It is just such a lovely wool it reminds me of stained glass colors.   

And of course, I love making the Linus scarf and have a couple of more done.  I am now the "winner" for most Linus scarves completed on Ravelry!!  It is such a fun knit that you can do in front of the TV.  It can be worn several ways too so it make it a worthwhile project.  

   

  

Works in Progress

This denim cowl is still a work in progress although I am about half way now. It's a sideways construction and it needs my full attention for the lace pattern to work on this so it gets set aside a lot.  No rush for it so it's fine to sit and wait for the cold weather again.  I know I did the provisional cast on wrong so have to resolve that when I join the ends. 

 
This is the Sweater Wrap and I am making it into a poncho shape by adding button holes to one side and making it shorter.

 

I am trying to have a few less projects on the go but it seems that multi-tasking and having multiple things on the needles is just how it is.  One easy thing for TV knitting, another item that is more challenging, and then something "new" and exciting that caught my interest and just HAD to be cast on right away!  

Planned Projects

 I spotted a few spring knitted items in the stores that I loved but thought were way overpriced and I was able to find a knitting pattern and some wool and will attempt to make one for about a fifth of the cost!!  Depends on the wool, sometimes knitting can cost more than buying so you have to really love the garment and the wool to spend the big coin on it.  The swing cardigan I am planning on making in a butter cream color for summer.  This is what I saw in a store for $130!!   I won't be making the folded cuffs and will make less increases on the body.  I think it will be sweet over a sundress or with jeans and a tee.  The other simple cardigan below I have some navy wool for to make this basic everyday sweater, great for when the office air conditioning kicks in!!  

 

Happy Knitting!!  and hope spring arrives soon!!

Shibanut Knits!!

Winter Knitting

It's been some time since I posted but that's because I have been busy knitting!!  It's become a passion of sorts and takes up time in my head even when I am not knitting.  The act of knitting is so calming and relaxing but it is also creative and gives me even more ideas to create my own knitting patterns.  Driving home from the office last night I had a wonderful idea for a modification to a sweater I am knitting and don't like how it is turning out.  Working on multiple projects at one time provides inspiration for modifying other projects.   Just tweaking the design will make it look totally different and be more my style.

Here's some recently finished projects.

This scarf is called Linus and it's an amazing squishy soft scarf using Misti Alpaca that I really enjoyed making.  You make it on the bias so the colors are always changing and it grows into a long asymetrical piece.

 

 It was made for this new Mountain Equipment Co-op windbreaker but it will actually go with 3 of my coats and several of  my sweaters!!  A great bonus since the wool was expensive at $25 a ball and I used the whole ball to make the scarf.  Still a $25 hand made scarf is unique and that makes it so enjoyable!!  AND...it is a featured finished item on the designers web site.  Pretty cool!!

On to the other projects.  This is a hat I started making in a knitting class.  I love the hat but the new bind on technique I learned is a bit tight but it fits o.k. and I am wearing it a lot.  I also made a simple scarf to go with it.  Really love the transition of colors in this beautiful wool.  

  

And the best item to date - it was a long haul to make this. It is a color play mohair shawl, knit from two balls at the same time.  The design is a classic from Churchmouse Yarns.  

On the cruise we took in January I tool along some knitting of course.  Turns out it's an icebreaker and a number of people spoke to me to ask what I was knitting.   Here's one of the items - it a Wiggle Lace scarf.  

In the works

This is my new adventure creating a lacey cowl that is knitted sideways.  The red yarn is for the provisional cast of and it gets ripped out and the blue is joined using those live stitches for a nice seam.  Another new thing I am trying.  Some patterns can intimidate me but now I think just go for it since it can always be ripped out and made into something else!!  AND, this is also featured on the designers web site!!  I guess I am not too bad huh?  Its called the Radiant Orchid Cowl on Ravelry. 

 

 The Churchmouse patterns are classic and I am working on this Easy Folded Poncho as well.  It's miles of straight knitting but it's great for in front of the TV.

  

In the mean time, I am always scouting out new patterns and planning my next knit project.  There is nothing as wonderful as sitting by the fire with a cup of tea with my knitting.  You can find me and my other projects on Ravelry, my favorite site.  

Hats!

I know it's still fairly warm and sunny but I have been knitting hats and scarves getting ready for winter. Recently I made a bobble scarf and loved the wool I used.  There was not enough for a hat as well but I found some chocolate alpaca the same weight and added in ribs of that to the hat.  Here's a photo of the hat to go with the bobble scarf.  Yay! It turned out so well and looks cute on!  I also found I love knitting with the alpaca, such a lovely soft wool.  .  
 Here's the set.  cute huh? 

This is Craig's new wool hat which he has now pronounced is too "scratchy" when he gets hot.  This may end up getting felted to be softer.


While I am here I may as well throw in the headband I made.  I really did not love this pattern but the wool is so pretty.


I am not sure about other people but I tend to have about three projects on the go at once these days.  Something kinda complicated or needs me to pay attention when I am knitting it, something I can just knit away at while watching TV and then something small and portable.  Gee, sounds balanced to me!!

Enjoy your day and happy knitting!

Marquis

Here's a photo of Marquis wearing the leggings I knit him, that finally fit!! 

Apparently he really likes them and my "trick" of the open bottom and using a plastic bag to slide them on and then remove the bag worked really well.  I am so happy for him!! 

These were for Leggings for Life.  

Bobbles!

When I went to the Kitchener Knitters Fair I found some amazing hand dyed and spun yarn - for $15!  It's so lovely it was hard to just pick one color!  I went with the neutral and found a nice neck piece that shows off the wool and taught me how to make bobbles.  It's called the Melissa scarf.  Here it is. 

There is almost enough left to make a hat but since I am not sure, I bought some nice soft brown alpaca to do the top of a hat and then I can mix the brown and this wool for the sides.   Still have to figure out how I want that to look.  

And if you need a laugh...look at this poor doggie.   People actually knit to humiliate their dog.  

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/flintknits/to-humiliate-the-dog

Little Leggings for a Kitty

I recently made some leggings for a kitty and unfortunately they did not fit.  I also didn't like knitting them flat and having to sew them together!  Out of need comes a solution.  Check out the new leggings pattern I wrote to accomodate the change in size request and my desire for knitting without sewing up.   They are almost done and will be in the mail tomorrow!

You can see the first pair I knit in my blog post Leggings for Life.