Scarf Love

I love scarves! As a knitter, I should really knit more of them. Surprisingly, this is the first scarf I knit for myself. And there is no wonder that there are currently 3,643 of them on Ravelry and it is in 6,069 queues. I totally love it! It is a pretty darn good first scarf to have.

Pattern: Lace Ribbon Scarf by Veronik Avery from Knitty Spring 2008
Yarn: Classic Elite Alpaca Sox in gray
Needles: size US 3 straights

There it is, kids. All 80 inches of it. I like that it is really long but I feel like it took forevah to knit. It was well worth it in the end. With the cooler weather this summer, I have already worn this a few times. It is so stylish and so easy to dress up a plain t-shirt when I throw it on as I walk out the door. Did I already mention that I love this scarf?

This is also my first time knitting lace. I made a ton of mistakes but this pattern is so forgiving that only I can tell where they are. It is even harder to tell after blocking.

I used the recommended yarn and I am so glad that I did. The alpaca is so soft and the scarf drapes beautifully. It is a little bit hairy, which gives the scarf a nice look. I only used around 1/4 of the second skein that I have enough left over for another project. I already started a pair of socks for Oliver - because he asked me so sweetly. I just can't say no to that.

Getting a Head Start

I know it is only June, but I thought I would get a head start on my fall knitting. I usually tend to wait until the appropriate season rolls around to knit for that season - and I never have enough time to finish everything, especially if I actually want to wear my finished objects in that season. Seeing as I didn't have anything queued up for summer, I dove straight into fall with a fairisle sweater.

I have had this yarn sitting around for quite some time. Look at how pretty these colors are. I couldn't resist starting this.

Birthday Socks

About a year ago, on a trip into NYC, I paid a visit to String Yarns and purchased a skein of Colinette Jitterbug. I stopped at my mom's house afterward and showed her my purchase and she fell in love with it and proceeded to tell me how much she loved that particular yarn no less than a thousand times after that. She also complained that I never knit her anything. She is not too subtle with her hinting. So for her recent birthday I knit her a pair of socks with that skein that she loved so much.

Pattern: Par 5 Socks by Ingrid Hiddessen
Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug in Velvet Olive
Needles: size US 2

These were a relatively quick knit and I love the cables. The yarn is so soft and squishy, it is a really great sock yarn. After putting them on my feet I debated keeping them for myself. In the end, I reluctantly wrapped them up for my mom - and she loves them!

Sachets

I saw these in the Holiday issue of Knit Simple magazine and they were actually the only reason I purchased this issue. I thought they would be a great Christmas present for my grandmother. I started knitting these back in December and then decided I had too much to do during the holidays so I put my knitting aside. I picked them back up again after the holidays to finish them in time for my grandmother's birthday in March.

Pattern: Sachets by Rosemary Drysdale from Knit Simple Holiday 2008
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas, Alpaca Silk in cream and lavender
Needles: size US 3 and US 4


I must tell you, I did not enjoy knitting these - at all. They are very pretty, but sooo fiddly to construct. There were so many pieces not to mention the lace border - and then seaming it all together. Ugh! I really dragged my heels on these. I rarely complain about knitting but these were a total pain in the butt! My grandmother loved them so I guess that is all that matters.


The yarn was a dream to work with. It is lovely - maybe the softest yarn I have ever felt. I am planning on using this in a sweater. I had also found a very nice lavender scent to fill the sachets with.