Knitting

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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?

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.