My Garter Cowl

Christmas Projects

Recently finished:

Finished projects pt IV: Otrasventanas Scarf

Kind of a variation of the Fan Bookmark pattern but with a more exaggerated effect. Very fun.

***

Okay, four more to finish then I really HAVE to move on from this obsession. Yes, four. Do not mock. Two are for someone else.

Finished projects pt III: Green Boteh Scarf

The green Boteh scarf (whatever a boteh is...)

I was really unsure about this one when I started it. I love it now. It's so weird and different-- strange pattern, strange colors. But then I do tend to like the strange.

Finished projects pt II: Sunset Scarf

One of the most beautiful things I've ever made. (And took one night as opposed to 3-6 weeks)

Finished projects pt I: Noro Plaid

I'm slowly whittling away at all the stuff I've started over recent weeks... Beginning with the Noro plaid scarf.
Meh.

I love the colors (as I always do with Noro). The overall effect of the pattern is great. I think the problem for me was in the numbers. Following the directions as given produced a scarf about 2 feet shorter than I prefer. I like my stuff LONG. If I had it to do over again, I would make it skinnier and longer. I really hope I will grow to tolerate it. It was way too much work for it to go unworn.

fan-trellis stitch

I picked up a skein of Araucania Ranco in Denim over the weekend and, against my better judgement, started working with out a pattern... sort of. I'm working a stitch called the Fan-Trellis stitch in long rows-- another scarf I guess. Now, after 5 rows, I'm flipping it over to work 5 more off the other side of the foundation chain. I may do some kind of trim on the ends but I guess it will depend on how I feel about the finished effect and how much yarn I have left. Really happy so far though and I've picked up a new stitch along the way.

I might be slightly obsessed...

because I've been working on the plaid scarf ALL DAY and have no plans to stop despite the bruise on my palm from nail-dig and my massively cramped fingers. This is a little out of control... but so, so very fun.

The photo only shows the first part-- the horizontal grids. After I finish I will chain the rest and weave it through vertically, thus the plaid. I actually don't mind it as is though.

It's hot as balls. Let's make scarves!!!

Yeah, I'm working on five (count em) five scarves. Why? The important question is why not? Two of these scarves are crochet projects using Noro. One with gross cheap yarn which I am knitting-- mostly to practice knitting & purling. The last two are for Jules with some yarn she provided. Everything is in progress, nothing finished but I expect to complete 3 this week, possibly even this weekend.

Of course it's the Noro scarves that are really flipping my switch. I've named one the "Caribbean Sunset Scarf" because it has lots of coral and pink in it and is from a pattern for a fan-bookmark on Ravelry.

The second is called a Noro plaid scarf. This particular one is done in Kureyon Sock (only 1 skein required so... gravy) and is done as horizontal open-work then chained and woven back through vertically... It will make more sense when I can post a photo. Now that I think about it, the fact that I can do the whole thing with one skein of sock yarn makes me wonder if this isn't going to be another 15,000 stitch headache. Maybe I should save that one for last.

Cascade Scarf

The finished item from the frogged Boyfriend Basketweave Scarf.

I am satisfied... for now. Mwah-ha-ha!!!

3 weeks and over 15,000 stitches later...

{exhale}

5 month ruffle scarf {but only if you're lazy like me}

When I'm not whipping projects out in hours, it's taking me months (or years.) I completely crocheted another bag today (a duplicate of Emma's Bag of Horses for Jules so she won't steal said bag from Emma.) Then tonight I finished another project I started sometime last February or March-- can't remember exactly. This was an improvised project I just call a ruffle scarf. I did 75% of it back when I first started and freaking ran out of yarn. I'm terrible about underestimating my needs then making multiple trips for replenishment. Sheesh.

Anyway, I went through a lot of ridiculous crap to replenish this puppy... I used Araucania Patagonia Nature Cotton in #206 and could only get it in Murfreesboro. I had them mail me a skein only to get the wrong color. So I made a random trip down there to exchange it... total hassle. Then after all that, I just put it away.

I saw it in my ridiculous supply stash as I was searching for potential lining fabric for Jules' bag and ended up working on and finally completing it. I totally love this scarf! It needs to get cold so I can wear it!

Patagonia is really luxurious considering it's just plain ole cotton. The colors are incredible-- the photo doesn't accurately show the color (looks too pink.) It's mostly lavender with some rose, red and rust thrown in. The yarn has varied thicknesses also and it gives it a rustic look. The ruffles and colors make it decidedly feminine. I'm way too excited for my own good right now and can't stop manhandling the thing.

wavelength scarf

I broke down and started a Noro project. This pattern is called a Wavelength Scarf. I decided to do it because it only requires one skein of Noro sock yarn and I figured this would be a good way to get the most bang for my buck.

Um, so I love this yarn. The colors are really incredible and I find myself staring at it when I'm working on it.

The only drawback:

You know those projects you whip out over a weekend? This isn't one of them. The picture shows about 16 hours of work and I'm only a third of the way done. Very labor intensive. The yarn is so fine, it takes a billion little stitches and two passes to complete one wavy little row. Maybe I'll finish by fall.