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My Last Project of 2012

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slip stitch scarfI’ve been meaning to share this project for a while because it was so fun and the yarn is so lovely that I wanted to talk about it.

Back in early December I went to the Arkansas Fiber Arts Extravaganza (which you can read more about on my blog, and see a video of all my luscious yarn purchases, too!) and one of the yarns I bought — the first one, actually — was this colorful skein of merino, silk and sparkle from Magic and Moonshine. The yarn is called Fairy Dust, colorway Sunday Kind of Love.

I was so attracted to it that I really wanted to start knitting with it right away. But I was knitting these mitts (over and over and over) so it wasn’t until the evening of the last night that I finally cast on with this yarn.

I wanted something simple, a scarf that I could wear on dreary days that would make me smile, and also something quick to knit.

I settled on Christine Vogel’s Drop Stitch Scarf, which is actually shown worked in a similar yarn to mine. The stitch is called seafoam stitch, and it almost couldn’t be easier.

Because of that, I did get a little bored the last day or two, but I love this scarf and I’m sure I’ll keep wearing it even after the weather warms up. You can check out my project on Ravelry, and why not friend me while you’re over there?

What was your last finished project of the old year? I’d love to hear about it!

Comments

  1. I love the bright colors in that yarn. It certainly will brighten up any old dreary, gray day. I think you picked a perfect pattern to show off the colors in that yarn. I think the last project I finished in 2012 was my Advent scarf or a pair of fingerless mitts.

Have you read?

Knit a Classic Aran Cardigan with this Free Knitting Pattern

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time. 

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring. 

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. 

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row. 

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves. 

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body. 

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy. 

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn. 

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]