Project Spotlight: Mustard Scarf

One of the things I miss since the redesign at About.com (and it’s lovely, so I can’t complain much) is that there’s no longer a blog component so there’s not a place where I can share what I’ve been working on or projects I’ve finished.

So I thought maybe I’d try bringing some of that over here, and that I’d start by telling you about a pattern I knit over the weekend.

Jane Richmond’s Mustard Scarf is a free Ravelry download that I must have downloaded a long time ago. But I came across it again last week, and when I was feeling a little tired of another project I’m working on I decided to cast this one on.

It calls for 150 meters, or about 164 yards of yarn, but I used less than a ball of Knit Picks City Tweed (color Jacquard, a ball the company gave me to sample years ago) and ended up with a bigger than called for project without using all the yarn (which is 123 yards). So depending on your gauge you can use less, or just make a smaller scarf if you like.

The project is eyelet rows alternating with knit rows (or, if you’re like me and your hands just purl on the wrong side without being asked, purl rows) and is just a big rectangle. You sew a button off to one side and use that to help hold it on your body. The fun thing is that it’s worked with medium/worsted weight yarn but size 15 US (10 mm) knitting needles, so it takes no time at all.

I cast on after my daughter went to bed Friday night and was done in time to wear it to a neighborhood gathering Saturday evening (excuse the Instagrammed look of the picture). I like it because it’s part scarf and part cowl, and was just the right size to be a scarf for my daughter when it got a little cooler than we expected. She may never let me wear it again. The good news is I can make another one super quick.

See the details of my project on Ravelry.

What are you working on? I’d love to hear about it.

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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