Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Branching Out Scarf

branching out scarf

One of the great things about the long thanksgiving weekend was that not only did I have plenty of time to sew (and finish my Drunkard's Path quilt top - thanks everyone for your nice comments!), I also had lots of nice time to knit! I was really excited to finish my lacy branching out scarf (originally mentioned here).   I love how it turned out, and was really impressed that I was able to get a whole scarf out of one skein of Knit Picks Gloss Fingering yarn (and the yarn is really lovely - super soft and it has great drape).

branching out finished

I love the leaf motif and it is a nice light weight that is perfect for the cool but not frigid weather we've been having here in Portland.  It will get lots of use I am sure, since most of my other scarves are very heavy weight (and in fact, all of them except one are actually in storage).

Green Lotus Hat

I also only have one hat not in storage, and was overdue to make myself a new hat anyways, so as soon as I finished the scarf I cast on for a lotus hat using this lovely green cashmere blend yarn, also from Knitpicks (Capra).  While this yarn is technically DK weight, and the pattern calls for worsted, the gauge called for on the pattern and the gauge on the yarn ball were the same, so I figured it would be OK (and no, I didn't knit a swatch... that would be too practical).  The pattern calls for three repeats of the lace pattern before you start decreasing, but suggests you do four repeats if you want it to be less of a beanie and to actually cover your ears.  Well, I did four repeats and then went ahead and did all the decreases... and it was way too short.  I am guessing that since the yarn is a bit lighter weight the whole thing is just a bit smaller and while it can stretch to be wide enough, that makes it even shorter.  So I frogged back to just before the decreases and am thinking I will add another two repeats of the pattern before decreasing again.  I think I will still be able to make the hat with one ball of yarn, but I do have a second one if needed.

Green Lotus Stitch Detail

I love the stitch pattern - it is lacy but not so much that my head will get chilly, and actually looks a bit like a cable pattern at first glance.  I am not planning to block it since I like how it looks as knitted and don't want to emphasize the lace aspect too much.  If I can swing it with my second ball of yarn, I am hoping to make a pair of matching fingerless mitts, modifying a basic pattern like this one.

I am on a bit of a scarf/hat knitting kick, so I may well knit another one of each after this, too, or a cowl.  How about you, have you been doing any knitting?

12 comments:

  1. I am just learning to knit and so am totally in awe of your lacey knitting, it is so beautiful, I hope I can do this one day!

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  2. Hi! Your scarf is beautiful and I love the pattern in your green hat! Great choise for the traditional cable!
    x Teje

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  3. I really like both of those patterns. I have yet to learn how to knit, but I've been busy crocheting some small Christmas presents in between embroidering my quilt blocks.

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  4. The scarf is gorgeous! I love the color you picked too. Can't wait to see the finished hat, that green is so pretty and the stitch is lovely. I've been itching to pick up my knitting needles and you're inspiring me!

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  5. Your scarf is gorrrgeous! I can't believe you knit that in a weekend!

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  6. I just finished a cowl and am not sure what I'm going to cast on next. I have a pile of yarn on my work table just waiting to turn into something.

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  7. Ha, I forgot the most important part of my comment! I love your scarf and am adding it to my queue. That hat is going to be beautiful! I can just sense how soft the yarn is from that photograph.

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  8. Branching Out is a great pattern! And I love that hat so far. Sorry you had to rip out, but it will be worth it. Oh, and I saw your Wine Cozy on Sew Mama Sew! How exciting to be featured!

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  9. Gorgeous scarf and I'm loving the green of that hat :)

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  10. Eek! That scarf is beautiful! You did a fabulous job! Loving that green too :) Smiles~Beth

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  11. I'm having Knitting Envy -- I have vague recollections of my mother knitting and crocheting when I was a little girl in the '70s, but she hasn't done it in decades and I don't know anyone else who knits. Did someone teach you in person, or did you learn to knit from a book? Your work is gorgeous and it's like magic to see how your lacy green hat just grows out of nothing, totally different from sewing where you start with cloth.

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