Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

It’s All About The Scarves; Opinion Needed….

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Ok, I’ll be the first to admit it. I’m usually on the tail end of a fashion trend, meaning that by the time I decide it’s really cool and I can’t live without (insert ridiculous, now out of style, fashion), it is terribly out of date. But on this one I watched. I waited. I tried to figure it out. Tried really hard to “get” why scarves are so huge! I’m a Northern Gal and when I wear a scarf it does more than just get in the way. And it has to. In order for me to tolerate the “get in the way” part it better do a darn good job of sealing up the collar area while out tending to the critters. It better be warm and fuzzy and comfy, and wide. Nothing like these scarves that are 2 or 3 inches wide. What in the world???

So enlighten me. What is it about a scarf that makes you think it would be a good idea to throw one on in August, say when it’s 90 degrees and 90% humidity? Seems like it would get caught in the hay equipment to me. Being that I’m soooo glad to get rid of scarves, hats and mittens in the spring, it’s just a bit outlandish to me to think about using them for style or bringing an outfit together or whatever you use them for, although I do admit to thinking maybe it would be more useful than bailing twine for holding my hair back. I mean, my jeans and t-shirts go together just fine, I don’t need hanks of threads dangling from my neck taunting the cattle to chew on them.

So, while I’m waiting for all of you to educate me on this, here’s a free pattern, from Classic Elite, of… yup, you guessed it, a scarf! Click HERE: http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/pdf/KatydidDropScarf.pdf

Comments

  1. Terrye, you MUST say “yes” to the scarf!! A versatile, affordable accessory, a great beginning knit/crochet/woven project, an ideal gift, economically made, the best way to use up that extra ball of yarn, a conservative way to test a new fashion color, AND an ideal way to keep the air conditioning draft off your neck! 🙂 How was that? Did I win anything?
    XO Gail & Fog

  2. Lol, still not convinced, but then the memories of the cold winter winds are still with me. As far as the AC, well, up here, it’s just not necessary save maybe 3 days out of the year. Thanks for your post, Gail and Fog.

  3. When you are a yarn junky and you have a short attention span when it comes to knitting the skinny scarf is the perfect project and then the perfect accessory for savoring said fabulous yarn. Also while sometimes in the way it is also fun to play with.

  4. well, one should have a super LIGHT weight one for summer, to tie your hair back while riding in the convertible, or sitting in the wind on the dunes at the beach…plus at night it’s a touch of added warmth…

  6. Haha, oh Terrye, you are correct. In your day to day world a scarf is not at all practical. But maybe for those times you are going out and about? A pretty silky scarf tied up in your hair can lift spirits!!!

  7. See, I can only knit scarves and cowls, so I tend to wear a lot of them because I make a lot of them. Even in warmer weather, something skinny in a cotton-mix yarn can still add a little something. It’s the perfect meeting of style meets I-can-only-knit-rectangles knitting capability.

Have you read?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.