Knitting

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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time I decide it’s really cool and I can’t live without (insert ridiculous, now out of style, fashion), it is terribly out of date.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?

The Bunny Sweater Knitting Pattern that’s Actually for Cats

I don’t often share knitting patterns for pets, mostly because I don’t think of it. I don’t have a dog, and I’ve never knit for my cats except a knit couch and a little cat bed I made on a knitting machine, both of which were pretty much ignored. 

I have shared some pet bed knitting patterns, and both hats and sweaters for dogs. 

But I don’t think I’ve shared a pattern for a cat sweater, until now. 

This one is the Bunny sweater by Sarah Zhou, so named because her cat is named Bunny, of course. 

It’s a made to measure pattern because cats come in all shapes and sizes, and you can also use any yarn you like and whatever gauge you are getting with that yarn. 

The design is knit from the bottom up, that is, from the tail side up toward the head. Pairs of decreases shape the body as you work toward the armholes, which are made by binding off a few stitches. Then the belly and the back are worked flat, then joined and worked in the round for the chest part. 

There are some design options in the pattern, from the look of the photos they include using a contrasting color for the edging, working a scalloped edging, maybe a foldover collar? But of course you can add your own embellishments, stripes, make it in team colors or for a Halloween costume. I’m sure they’re quick to knit so you can make a bunch if you have a cat who is willing to submit to such torture. 

Bunny looks like a very good and mostly tolerant girl; I don’t think either of my cats would be willing to wear a sweater. But if you make one (the pattern is available on Ravelry) and successfully get your cat to wear it I would love to hear about it!

[Photo: Sarah Zhou]