Evening on the Prairie Scarf

I'm so excited to share with you my latest design creation: my Evening on the Prairie Scarf.  This idea began with my closet transformation I'm working on.  I'll give it to you straight - I'm 33 years old and still have high school clothing in my closet.  That I wear.  All the time.  I prefer comfort, warmth, and softness.  AKA sweats.  However, I have been making a conscious effort to become more adult-like with my clothing choices lately.  Recently, Mom and I were walking through Kohls, and I had made some nice business-casual choices (yay me), and I commented that a scarf would look nice with this particular blouse.  (Hear that?  Blouse.  Not in my vocabulary, or closet, until recently.)  I went over to look at their fashion scarves, and mom said "Why not just make one yourself?".  Well duh.  Why didn't I think of that?

I started off with a stitch pattern.  I thumbed through one of my knitting stitch dictionaries, and was really drawn to the Wild Oats design.

With this stitch in mind, I drove down to my LYS, and as always, I'm drawn to variegated yarns.  Then I realized variegated would look quite nice in the Wild Oats, so I picked an earthy blue/gray/brown color.  Malabrigo Rios in colorway Playa.  Rios is 100% superwash wool - read: throw it in the washing machine.  Love that.  From the back of the yarn label: "Rio means 'river' in Spanish.  Malabrigo Rios is named after the four major rivers in Uruguay; Rio Cuareim, Rio Uruguay, Rio de la Plata, and Rio Negro.  Each river is represented by one ply.  These plies twist together like winding rivers.  Rios also signifies the yarn's washability; for millennia, rivers have provided water for washing garments."  --Isn't that fabulous?  Nature inspires me so, and I'm not the only one.

Getting back to the scarf, I knitted for a while in this pattern, loving it, but then decided I wanted to use more stitch patterns in this scarf.  And here comes the complications.  I'm somewhat new to this whole designing bit, and I guess I'm from the school of Hard Knocks, because I have to try something and look/feel it before I decide if I like it or not.  The above pattern uses cables, which nearly always draws the material inward, necessitating more stitches per inch.  When I decided to transition into the basket weave pattern (below), I had to find the right number of stitches to use in order to maintain a consistent width within the scarf. 

I am a big fan of life-lines in knitting.  Yes, they take time to place, and it's mildly annoying to do so, but if you find yourself needing to go back and undo a section, a life line will save so much time and aggravation.  Here I am placing a life-line while trying to decide how many stitches to decrease between sections.

As I pictured this scarf in my mind before starting it, I knew I wanted it knit in the round. However, with worsted yarn, a scarf would be a thick tube without anchoring one side to the other in some way. I decided on anchoring the sides together halfway through each design element - by grabbing a loop from the back side and knitting it together with the front side work. This worked great. It flattened the tube out, improving how it would lay around your neck, all while giving you a completely reversible scarf. It was a challenge, however, to describe in words how to perform the anchoring. Hopefully I eloquently and clearly described it in the pattern!

So after I figured out the right amounts of stitches to have in each pattern, it was simply a matter of finishing it out.  To finish out the ends, I wanted to add a fringe. I think it added a nice detail - visual interest. And it was so easy to do.

Technical help:  Executing the fringe

Once you've finished the scarf and woven in the ends, turn your attention to the garter borders at each end of the scarf. Decide how many fringe tassels to add on (I chose 6 per side), and also decide how long to make your fringe. I went with 12" pieces of yarn, which after folding in half, tying and trimming, it ended up 3.5-4". 

To make cutting the lengths easier, I used a template - fancy, the lid to my notions box (aka recycled lunchmeat box). 

I wrapped the yarn around 6 times, then cut along the bottom only. I then had 6 lengths of 12". 

After visually dividing up the stitches at the cast-on edge, I inserted a crochet hook into the pre-determined area, going through both sides of the scarf. 

 

Next, I folded those 6 lengths of yarn in half, and using my crochet hook, pulled the yarn by the loops through both sides of the work, stopping before they pull all the way through. 

Then, I inserted my fingers through the loops, grabbed the tail, and pulled them through the loop, making a slip-knot.  Pull tight. 

Repeat across the cast-on edge. You will notice that you are effectively closing the tube up, further securing its flattened shape. Once you have your evenly-spaced fringe tassels placed, repeat on the other side of the scarf: the bind-off edge. 

Then lay out your scarf on a flat, hard surface, and comb through the fringe to straighten it. 

Using a straight edge, rotary cutter, and mat, trim the ends to make a nice, even edge. 

You've done it!  Feel free to message me with questions on any of the techniques!

A special thanks to my FABULOUS sister-in-law Mandi for test knitting it for me.  She picked the lovely colorway Solis for her scarf, and opted for no fringe.

The pattern is now available to download in PDF format:

Click here for Ravelry

I so hope you enjoy the pattern!  Make sure you share your finished project photos with me! 

Barrage of Felted Slippers

A friend of mine asked for some slippers to give as gifts, and picked this pattern.  These slippers, called French Press Felted Slippers, are my favorite sort - felted.  I made a pair of felted slippers for Chris years ago (here is a picture of them), and they are so warm.  He wears them all the time.  There are several benefits of felting.  First of all - felting is always done with natural animal fibers, and that is because (in this case) wool will shrink and mat (felt) into a dense fabric when exposed to hot water and agitation.  Generally in knitting, you avoid those conditions and wash your handknitted item in cool water with little or no agitation.  But in this case it was desired.

For these slippers, you knit the bottoms while holding 3 yarns at a time.  This makes a nice, thick sole for the slippers - able to take abuse and wear.  Then you make the sides of the slipper in two pieces.  The second nice thing about making felted items is how fast they work up.  This pattern uses size 15 needles - huge.  I knitted the pieces for each slipper in one sitting.  Here is a picture of all 6 completed pieces for a set of slippers.

Then, you seam up the slippers in a way much like that of shoe construction.  Below, I have a slipper all seamed.  You'll notice how large the slipper is - that is to allow for the shrinkage during the felting process.

A button band is knitted separately, then all pieces go into the wash.  For felting, I  place the two slippers and the two button bands into a garment bag, and toss them into the washing machine with a small amount of delicate wash soap.  I've kept a pair of the boys' old tennis shoes, which I use only in felting so they are clean ;).  They are great agitators - beating the slippers with each tumble.  So they go in too.  I turn the machine to a "sanitize" cycle, which uses the hottest water and longest wash tumble cycle.  I have a high-efficiency front loader, so I have to check the felting process frequently, as you never quite know how long it will take.  Every 5-10 minutes, I will stop the washer, take the slippers out, put my foot into them, rub them around the contours of my foot, and throw them back in.  When the pieces are the size I want, I rinse them in cool water, gravity spin them, and lay them out to dry.  A thick felted wool like this will take 2-3 days to completely dry.

After felting, my slippers and button bands looked like this:

Then came the fun part - picking out buttons.  I sat down with the boys and my huge box of buttons, and looked for matching pairs and fun colors.  I, of course, got all veto rights - because the boys wanted to pick buttons like stars, soccer balls, and gaudy 1970's pearl buttons.  After button selections were made, it's simply a matter of sewing on the button band and button.

Here's the result:  I ended up with 5 pairs, 3 in a natural marl color and 2 in "mercury".  I used a total of 7 balls of yarn to make these 5 slippers. It was a fun, satisfying and quick project!

I hope their recipients will enjoy them!  They should be warm, and cute to boot! 

Delicious Cowl

OMGoodness.  Check this out. 

I think I've found my new favorite accessory.

It's so faaabulous that I finished it in two evenings.  I stayed up till 3 am finishing it up last night.

Ok.  Enough gazing.  The details.

This lovely yarn is Manos Del Uruguay Maxima, in colorway Agua.  It's a lovely singly ply 100% merino wool that's beautifully hand-dyed.  I had one skein leftover after making a baby blanket for a friend.  I just knew it would be great in this pattern: A Very Braidy Cowl by Maryse Roudier. 

It's a simple design, just a set of two humongous cables, which I knit flat and then seamed together. 

Love it!

Nina's Matching Neon Hat

My good friend Nina asked me to make some fingerless mitts for her, and they turned out great.  I was so happy she texted me again and asked if I would make her a hat.  Nina looks great in bright, bold colors.  She has fabulous dark skin and the colors really pop.  So after I made her the mitts, she went looking for a hat to match at clothing stores, and said she didn't see anything that spoke to her.  Her wise husband suggested she ask me about it.  I was thrilled that Jennifer Beaumont, the designer of the mitts I made for her, also had a coordinating hat pattern.

I set off making the hat with the same yarn: I Love This Yarn in colors Yellow Neon and Fuchsia Neon.

The above picture turned out the most true color-wise.

 Nina requested a big 'ole pom pom, and while I was hesitant at first, it really turned out great. 

Now her ears will keep warm!  She reported to me that she's already machine washed her mitts and they look good as new - always a good thing to hear.  Hopefully she gets some good use out of these and wears them till they have holes.  Of course, if that happens, I'll gladly make more for you, Nina!


I'll take the opportunity to update you on my works-in-progress:
1. The super hero blanket: I'm nearing completion on the middle panel, and have all 6 hero logo panels done.

The star is still on the needles - you can see them if you look closely, and I think the middle panel will be a little taller than the space I've allowed in this layout, but it give you an idea of what my vision is.  I'm very happy with how it's turning out.  Between the logos will be solid color knitting with textured patterns.  There are about a zillion ends to weave in too...

2. I'm designing a scarf - I'm calling it "Evening on the Prairie".  Here's a little sneak peek at what it's gonna look like:

A Giveaway! Winding Way Mitts

Four years ago, I set out to make a snuggle wrap for my unborn child.  Despite multiple attempts and much frustration, I frogged the project and moved on.  That yarn has been sitting in my stash ever since.

"That" yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK.  It's such a lovely yarn, I'm not sure why they discontinued it!  But they did.  It's a 55% Merino, 33% Microfiber, 12% Cashmere blend that is so soft to the touch.  So soft, in fact, that I usually caress it against my face when I pick it up.  I have two colorways of this yarn, the green I used in this project (called 18011 - very inventive, huh?), and a blue (18044).  The green looks to me like a "granny smith apple".  A bright light green.  I only had 1 ball in it, so I looked for a small project that would be a one-skein-wonder.

I finally decided on Winding Way Mitts by Cheryl Beckeric.  I loved the cable pattern along the top of the mitts.  So off I started.

It was a fast knit, working up easily, and a really nicely written pattern.  The only snag I encountered was a yarn shortage.  Of course...when yarn is discontinued, I WILL run out.  But thankfully, a super nice lady on Ravelry sold me some of her stash!  *I can't say enough about how nice it is to have that networking available.  Thanks, Ravelry!*  Once I received her shipment, I easily finished up!

Here they are!

Ok, now pardon my still-imperfect photography skills, because the above photo is the closest representation of color.

I have size x-small hands, so these are large on me.   They will fit hands 6-9 inches in circumference.

The ribbing on the underside of the mitts ensures that they stay snug!

Aah, sometimes I could just look at yarn close-ups all day.  That's weird.  But true.  I like being real.  :)

And now for the exciting part.  I want to give them away to someone!  If you'd like a chance to win them, click on the link below for my Facebook page.  Go there, "like" me if you haven't already, and share the post.  Then comment to let me know you've done so, and you'll be automatically entered.  I'll randomly draw a winner on Feb. 8th, 2015.

Good luck!

More Hours Per Day - Facebook Page

Spring Diamond Scarf

I have a new weaving project finished and all my ducks are in a row to show you!  I'm excited to finish up what I was weaving at the Whimmydiddle craft fair - my Spring Diamond Scarf.

This design arose from inspiration from the yarn, as it often does for me.  I really wanted to try weaving with tencel, a cellulose fiber that can actually be obtained by using recycled wood pulp.  It has gained popularity recently due to its shine, softness, wrinkle-resistance, and breathability.   So I researched and found a lovely variegated yarn from Prism Yarns (who I love and have worked with before on my Pamuya shawl).  This time I chose their smaller weight yarn, Delicato in colorway Arroyo.  After seeing and feeling the yarn, I found a 2/2 twill design, using M&W variations threading that I thought would look nice with this yarn.

I had initially intended on using the Delicato as both the warp and weft, but after I had decided on my weave structure, a diamond pattern, I decided that the color changes might muddle the design.  Away to my yarn stash I went, and I came up with some 3 ply cotton crochet thread.  I was attracted to it's sheen, which was like the Delicato.  I decided it would make a nice background for the diamond structure to stand out.

As you can see on my weaving record sheet, available below, I had intended on making 2 scarves on this warp.  A couple of problems arose.  First, I was relying on using a tape measure, moving it along as I wove, to know how long my scarf is.  Once I would reach the desired length, I would stop, weave spacers for the fringe between the scarves, and continue with the second scarf.  Well, as I was weaving this at the craft fair, talking with people walking by, being interrupted for sales and such, I completely forgot to advance my tape measure, rendering it useless.  It got wrapped up in the cloth beam and there it stayed.  Grr........

No worries, I thought.  I'll just continue weaving and then cut the scarves apart, however I'll have to abandon the fringe.  I decided that was fine, I'd just hem the scarves.  So on I wove.

Then, when I was finished weaving, I unrolled the cloth and was surprised that it was shorter than expected.  I went back and looked at my math - I TOTALLY LEFT OUT ALLOWANCES FOR TAKE UP (and shrinkage).  For heavens sake.  After consulting a few friends and family, I decided that cutting the material in half would render two too-short scarves, and just cause a lot of headaches with hemming anyway.  *insert steam coming out my ears here*.

But you weave and learn, right?  I think I'll double check my math from here on out.  Ah, growing pains.

But enough gab.  Here's the pictures!

After pressing, the colors just shone!

I devised the WIF pattern, and have it available HERE, for those who use weaving programs and would like the draft.

Also, here is my weaving record sheet, with all math and details shown: Spring Diamond Scarf Weaving Record Sheet - PAGE 1, PAGE 2

I learned so much with this project - as I continue to learn with each project I complete!  Now....what to put on the small loom next.....???

Update 5/9/15:  I've finally got this listing up on Etsy.  It can be yours!  More Hours Per Day

A sweetheart blanket

I've been making a lot of baby blankets lately.  I think that's because they're simple in construction but not as large as a full blanket, so less materials and time are used.  Also, I think there's nothing more cute than a little baby in/with handknits.  Hats, blankets, buntings, sweaters, big flower headbands...they're all adorable. 

I am continuing to use some yarn that was given to me by Grandma.  I'll tell you right off hand that I dislike this yarn in this pattern.  As previously established, I'm anti-acrylic.  However, I had all this red yarn, and I found the perfect pattern for it: Babylove Blanket by Meg Hollar.

The yarn is Red Heart Baby yarn (a discontinued line).  It's a light fingerling weight yarn.  It would have been even more fabulous in a less-stiff yarn (the hearts would have stood out more).  But again, with acrylic yarn, you can't beat the ease of care and sturdiness.

This blanket took a LONG TIME to make - 3 months to be exact.  In my current workload, this translates to approximately 16-18 hours of solid work.  With 195 stitches on each row and 312 rows completed, I worked a total of 60,840 stitches in this blanket.  The hearts were fun to work, though, and broke up some of the tedium.

The final dimensions of the blanket: 32" long by 31" wide.

This blanket is going to a special couple.  They have been friends for several years, and are expecting their first baby, a boy.  They've waited for a long time to become parents, and Chris and I are so thrilled that they are getting their chance.  The hearts on this blanket represent only a fraction of the hopes and prayers that have been lifted up for this baby, and I hope it gets a lot of loving use.