Month: November 2014

2 Scarves Finished :)

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Horseshoe Cable Scarf finishedJacobs Ladder Scarf finished

Ok, these two wool scarves are finished.  The pattern called, on the Jacob’s Ladder (to the right), to start in the middle and work down on both sides, but I hate having to pick up stitches, seems like an un-necessary step to me (maybe because I’m a lazy knitter? :P), so I started at one end and after the full middle part when I started the other side of the scarf, I just reversed the cables.  Worked out well :).  I know that is not possible on all patterns, but on the items where I can (like cables) I prefer not to have to mess with a special cast on that I can unravel and to pick up stitches.  Just my preference, other knitters don’t mind :).

I chose to do the same thing on the Horseshoe scarf (to the left) because I wanted the cable to both be coming up the same way and not having it upside down on the other side.  so in the middle I just reversed the cable and it gave an added dimension to the middle of the scarf, which if you enlarge the picture by clicking on it, you can see at the top of the scarf).  I will give these to the missionaries on Sunday.  I’m sure they will be well used.

I can’t start the other set of scarves I need to make for Christmas until I get paid next week as I will have to buy the yarn since I do not have time to spin.  I will go with Alpaca instead of wool since they are paying for the scarves and I’m sure they will be pleased with the extreme softness that fiber will have next to the skin.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you enjoy the Christmas season.

Jacob’s Ladder Seaman’s Scarf

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Jacob's Ladder Seaman's Scarf

Horseshoe Cabled ScarfI have been working on the scarves.  I finished the first one, the Jacob’s Ladder Seaman’s Scarf, shown on the left.  It was a fun knit (this picture was taken before blocking).  I am working on the scarf showing on the right.  I decided since the missionary I’m knitting this for didn’t want a seaman’s style scarf that I would do a different pattern and chose the horseshoe cable stitch from this scarf.  I love knitting cable designs, they are interesting to knit and visually appealing. 🙂

 

Wall DecorationMy best friend in high school sent this to me.  Her mother passed away this year but had been working on the things she always puts into a Christmas Craft Fair every year.  Her mom had chosen the fabric and cut it out but didn’t get a chance to put it together.  My friend decided she would like me to have it, so she finished it.  How wonderful it is to have something from her and her mom.  It is a very lovely wall décor piece and the sentimental value is priceless.  Her mother was a wonderful lady who had many talents and was quick to share them.  She will be missed.

 

First Real Snow for 1214

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First Real Snow - November 2014

Yes we got some snow, not nearly as much as MN and other places, but about 1 & 1/2 inches.  We got a dusting of snow a few days ago but yesterday evening came our first real snow of the winter season.  I know it’s still fall per the calendar, but in IA this is the start of a long, cold winter.  I was told the Farmer’s Almanac said it would be a crazy winter season this year.  Guess we will see what that brings.

I’m working on 4  scarves that were requested at the last minute.  I’ll post pictures of them as I finish them.  For 3 of them I’ll be using the pattern Jacobs Ladder , the link  is to the designer who like me allows people to knit her patterns for free :).  The last one (tho’ I won’t be necessarily knitting them in that order) will be another of my new design  little lace daisy scarf.  Guess I will be busy for the next few weeks, knitting and being grateful that I have a warm place to live and a skill to keep me busy during the cold winter months.

Oh yeah, the Cowboys are doing pretty well this season.  Unfortunately they play mostly on Sunday and I don’t watch football on Sunday, but I watch the NFL channel the next day to see the highlights :).  I’ll just keep rooting for them, as a loyal fan :).

 

Veteran’s Day 2014

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Veteran's Day

For our Military, who have given service and sacrificed for our freedom!

Afganistan isn’t on this old picture, but please note that those veterans are certainly included!  I would like to take a moment to thank all those veterans who fought in the various wars and “police actions” for our freedom.   Thank you for your service, and thank you to your families for allowing you to do that.

Little Lace Daisy Scarf

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Little Lace Daisy Scarf a

Little Lace Daisy Scarf

This is from the Polypay fleece a friend gave me that I had processed into roving, then I spun, dyed and knit into a scarf to thank her for the fleece.  It turned out a deep sapphire blue and she really was hoping for a little lighter blue so I bought a skein of off white lace weight super wash merino to knit with the blue to help lighten it up, but it was kind of a stark marled color so since I had over dyed the blue I washed it again in hot water when I was done knitting (being careful not to felt it), and the off white soaked up enough of the blue to be a pretty light blue actually lightening the color visually.  I then soaked it in vinegar again to set the light blue color, this also finished releasing the rest of the over dye.  I will give this to her tomorrow, I’m sure she will be pleased :).

The pattern was the daisy from the Daisy Rectangular Shawl I designed (tho’ the daisy is an old Shetland lace pattern).  There was a beautiful lace weight scarf on Ravelry someone had made from the shawl pattern using one daisy up each side, but since this was sport weight yarn and she wanted a skinny long scarf I chose to just do one in the middle.  Following is the pattern, as before, you may make the scarf to give as a gift but you may not sell the pattern or give the pattern to anyone.  If someone wants the pattern, please refer them to this site :).  I hope there are no typo errors, I did check but you know how that goes sometimes.  I’m not a great pattern writer so I hope that you can read my pattern :).

Little Lace Daisy Scarf

B        = Border

K        = Knit

P        = Purl

K2tog = Knit 2 together

yo       = yarn over  Note: yo twice is a double yarn over and on the purl rows, knit the first yo and purl the 2nd yo

ssk     = Slip stitch, slip stitch, knit the two stitches together (see http://knittinghelp.com/videos/decreases for video of how to make the stitch)

** repeat rows between the two *’s

I used hand spun sport weight with a strand of lace weight, and size 7 knitting needles

Cast on 20 stitches

Knit 3 rows in garter stitch for the bottom border. Keep 3 stitches at both ends of each row in garter stitch for the border throughout.

Knit the next row

B, p to last 3 stitches, B

Start pattern rows

*Row 1 – B, k5, k2tog, yo twice, ssk, k5, B  (on the even rows the border will still be knit but I put the B on the end so you can make sure you have the right amount of stitches before the B starts J)

Row 2 and all even rows – B, p to last 3 stitches, B

Row 3 – B, k3, k2tog, yo twice, ssk, k2tog, yo twice, ssk, k3, B

Row 5 – Repeat row 1

Row 7 – Repeat row 3

Row 9 – Repeat row 1

Knit the next row

B, P to the last 3 stitches, B

Knit the next row

*B, P to the last 3 stitches, B

Knit these pattern rows until the scarf is the desired length and then end with only one knit row and one pearl row (keeping border) after the lace pattern row 9, and then 3 rows of garter stitch and bind off.