Translation

There's not a lot new to share on the blog lately.  I have been busy as a bee working on patterns that you've already seen pics of so I'll only share a couple new ones.

Twin Owl Hats

Swirl Hat with flower and coordinating scarf

Something strange that happened is that recently my Raincloud Pattern has been popping up on French blogs all over the place.  I can only guess that somehow clouds are a popular theme and people were searching for patterns to make their own.  I have had many sweet compliments on the pattern and have enjoyed seeing people use the clouds they made for coasters, garland, and various other household decorations.  Recently I was contacted by Fabienne, a French blogger at Archibald & 3 petit points, offering me a French translation of my Raincloud Pattern.  She was kind enough to allow me to post the translation on this blog and put it on hers as well.  You can find her version here, and you can see the French translation on the Raincloud Pattern page.

Feza Scarf

One project I completed in the last few months I simply couldn't blog about because it was a Christmas present!  My mom and I went to a local alpaca farm/yarn store early this fall and my mom picked up this amazing Feza yarn that just so happened to be my sister's favorite colors. 

stash yarn photo from firetwirler526's Flickr page

The ladies at the yarn shop were kind enough to wind it in a ball for me (I don't have a ball winder or swift!) as it apparently is very difficult to do.  While they were winding it I took my daughter and nephew out to visit the alpacas.  They enjoyed looking at the animals, but quickly realized "they stink!"  Its true.  Alpacas stink.  But it was fun to see one in person :)  Silly me forgot my camera.  I was bummed about that!

My mom asked me to make a scarf for Christmas for my sister out of her new yarn purchase.  While the yarn looked great on the shelf, it wasn't easy to decide what to do with it scarf-wise.  We browsed Ravelry and came up with this pattern.  I loved working with the yarn because I got to work with a different texture every 6 rows or so and my sister loved the scarf!  I wasn't able to get great photos before Christmas, but I got a few ok ones; winter lighting is tough, either too bright or too dark most of the time.

A Little Something For Me

As most crafters I rarely make something for me.  I may make things that benefit me (like clothes for my little girl) but I rarely craft something simply for me to use.  I found this amazing yarn a few months ago at a sale in a LYS in Indy (Stitches and Scones).  I couldn't resist buying it simply for the colors.  Isn't it gorgeous?!  Its also amazingly soft and a dream to work with.  It is Skacel Zauberball Crazy, a sock yarn that is fairly new.

this photo from the Webs website

I wanted a simple pattern for this yarn to show off the colors.  It was a fine gauge and I figured it would make a perfect airy scarf for fall.  I chose the Clapoits pattern.  I had been eyeing this pattern for a while, just not sure when or whom to make it for.

 In my opinion it turned out perfectly.  The colors are very striking and perfect to wear in fall.   The pattern shows off the yarn without dominating it with too much pattern, but still adding visual interest with the ladders.  I will most definitely make this scarf again.  The pattern is easy to memorize and its the perfect type of project to stick in my purse and work on while I wait in the line to pick up or drop my kids off at school!  I don't have a picture of me wearing it yet, but I have had it on almost every day since its completion :)

Whiteout

If I were an artist, I would be in my White Period. I have been having an itch to knit and do so exclusively with white/undyed yarn! I completed a modified feather and fan cloth last week to add to my growing collection of items to sell at an upcoming community event.




I also have been working on a Falling Water scarf. I just love the simplicity of the pattern (only an 8 row repeat) and how it is interesting and lacy without being girly. If you aren't a Ravelry member, you'll have to wait and see what I mean when I post some finished, blocked photos - un-blocked, this scarf is not that impressive as you can see below.

Wisp Scarf

I finished my Wisp, other than sewing on the buttons. I happened to have it with me when I was over at my sister's house and had her snap a few photos of it so I could post some. I am in photo withdrawal!

I really loved this pattern. It is light and warm all at the same time. It looks so beautiful after being blocked. Too bad its a Christmas present for someone else!




I posed the buttons I bought on the scarf to show you what it will look like when done, since I won't have camera access when I get it done. I chose simple shell buttons that are super light-weight so they won't weigh down this airy scarf, plus they have blue/green undertones that match the gorgeous color of this yarn.



I'm not sure if you can tell, but that central button has a flower engraved on it. Here's a closeup. I fell in love with this button and just had to put one on the scarf. JoAnn's only had 2 of the buttons, but I thought one gave it just the right touch.

Jen's Scarflette

In looking for a quick and easy gift for a friend's birthday party (I had less than 24 hours to get it done) I came across the pattern for this "scarflette" or "neck scarf". This is a short scarf usually fastened with a button or pull-through that is used specifically to keep the neck warm. My friend walks outside a lot as she lives near her work, so I thought it might help keep her warm this winter! Using a smaller hook than recommended and altering the pattern slightly, this is what I ended up with.

And here's a better look at the details and the button. We did make a special trip out to buy a good coordinating button, but other than that the scarf was made out of leftover yarn, so no cost!

Toddler "Wave" Scarf'

This is the scarf I made for Anna using some leftover sport weight yarn from my stash. She loves it and it goes well with her winter coat. I may put some embellishments on it in the future as the pink didn't show up as well as I'd like.

Tunisian Knit scarf in Ribbon Yarn and Worsted

This is my latest creation. I used some ribbon yarn mixed with a yarn I had sitting around. I love how the colors go together. This will be a great scarf for spring/fall.

Tunisian Knit Stitch Scarf in Mohair - Free Pattern

This scarf I made after purchasing my new favorite Crochet book - The Crochet Stitch Bible. My husband and I went to Cincinnatti for a weekend away without the kids, and I purchased this book at Borders. We also stopped at a specialty yarn shop in Indy and bought this beautiful pink mohair yarn. I put a finishing "fringe" on with two rows of some purple yarn i had inherited from a relative using the chain loop stitch. This scarf is really fun and pretty. Its light as a feather but still warm! See pattern instructions below!


Materials:
US Size N hook (I used a plastic, inline hook)
US Size K hook
1 ball (uses about 1/2 a ball) of Cascade Yarns Bollicine Sissi color 102
Small amount of a "homespun" or boucle yarn for trim

Techniques:
Tunisian Knit Stitch

Main body:
Foundation Row:
Using size N hook and mohair, chain 22, skip first chain, insert hook into second chain, yarn over and draw up loop, *insert hook into next chain, yarn over and draw up loop, repeat from * across. [22 loops on hook]
yarn over, draw through 1 loop on hook, *yo, draw through next two loops on hook, repeat from * across until one loop remains on hook (counts as first loop for next row) [22 stitches worked]

Row 1: Skipping first stitch from foundation row, and yarn coming from back of the work, *insert hook through the middle of the next stitch, yo and draw through stitch, repeat from * across [22 loops on hook]
yo, draw through 1 loop on hook, *yo, draw through next two loops on hook, repeat from * across until one loop remains on hook (counts as first loop for next row) [22 Tunisian knit stitches worked]

Repeat row 1 until scarf reaches desired length, finish off and weave in ends

"Fringe"
Switch to accent yarn and smaller hook, join to short end of one of the scarf, with the right side facing you.

Row 1: Work 1 sc across in each stitch, Ch 1, turn. [22 sc]

Row 2: Working in back loop only. Work 1 sc in back loop of same stitch, *ch 3, work 1 sc in back loop of next stitch, repeat from * across, ch 1, turn. [21 chain loops]

Row 3: Work in unworked loops of row 1. Work 1 sc in unworked loop of 1st stitch, work 1 sc in each unworked loop across, ch 1, turn. [22 sc]

Row 4: Repeat row 2, finish off and weave in ends

Repeat "fringe" on other end of scarf

**Feel free to use this pattern for personal use or profit, please just credit me with my name and web address if you post the pattern elsewhere!**