Indie Designer Gift-a-long 2017 - Scarves!

Another potential gift I've got on my mind is a scarf.  It could also be a shawl, but for today we'll focus on scarves.  Something easy to wear and of course, the quicker I can finish it, the better!

So lets start with some of the quicker possibilities and focus on worsted weight scarves.  The Samara Scarf is a crochet pattern that actually utilizes a skein of worsted weight as well as a skein of fingering weight yarn.  Worked up on the bias alternating the skeins gives the body of the scarf a cool affect with a fun stitch pattern on the edges for added interest.  Another scarf that has one stitch pattern for the body and a different on the edges is the Cloud Covered Scarf.  This one is mostly lace with garter stitch on the edges and looks so warm and cozy in the pattern page photos!  Not exactly a scarf, the Impari Shawlette would still be a quick knit.  I especially like the feature of 2 different ties that can be incorporated on the shawlette making it super wearable!

There was one mid-weight yarn design that I found may fit the bill.  The sport weight Duara has a similar theme of using two different stitch patterns.  This one begins with a short bit of rib, followed by a flower motif, back to a bit of rib, flower motif and finally the short rib section.  The styling in the feature photo is just marvelous!

And as crazy as a fingering weight scarf may seem when we're in a time crunch, I found plenty of options in this category as well.  The crochet scarf Prelude uses under 200yds so it's still fairly quick.  It's mostly a fairly simple stitch with short row borders that result in a softly curved edge.  The Phoenix Feather scarf is a gorgeous scarf that is worked up in two halves and seamed together.  I have to keep checking because the lace is so unique, this is definitely a knit pattern!  A reversible scarf with a mix of different stitch patterns, Interlacing Scarf is knit on the bias.  Another design that caught my eye because of the styling in the photos, I really love the tied look of the 5th image!  While you could theoretically add fringe to any scarf, the Crooked River Scarf makes my list because the fringe, among other things.  The way the dropped stitches are worked in a rib like manner make for a cozy scarf that isn't too hot.  For a delicate looking scarf, check out the Frideswide.  This would work beautifully with a monotone indie dyed yarn and it features a reversible cable edging and ruffle!

There are a few scarves that I think deserve 'honorable mention'.  They don't exactly fit the bill for my recipient, but might be a good selfish knitting item or it's just so interesting I have to share...

The Clincher was originally a knit design, but since has been released for crochet as well!  This might be an ordinary fingering weight triangle shawlette, except for the added feature along the one edge (icord I believe?) that makes wearing the shawlette that much easier.  It's so hard to explain, so go on and click the link to see it!  The Art Deco Beaded Scarf looks like a fairly simple knit scarf but the addition of beads make it so classy!  This DK weight scarf is gorgeous and reversible.   I'm a sucker for crocheted flowers and this scarf just calls my name!  The Floral Whisper Scarf could easily be a cowl and should finish quickly with worsted weight yarn.  Always on the lookout for patterns good for bulky handspun, the Brioche Stitch Infinity Scarf looks like a simple knit with beautiful results!  Did I mention loving crochet flowers?  Well, not exactly flowers but still right up my alley, the Myrtle Crochet Scarf is made up of circular motifs and could be a great way to use up fingering weight scraps!  Another uniquely shaped scarf, the Spring Runoff Scarf utilizes short rows to give it the shawl like sections that add up to a stunning scarf knit fairly quick with sport weight yarn.

What do you think?  Any scarves here that would work for your gifts?  If you end up making one, be sure to join the a-long for Cowls, Scarves and Other Neck Things.

DenKnits 2.3 Giveaway!

DenKnits 2.3 Giveaway!

Darn Good Yarn tote bag winner is drawn

Finished objects:

• Miranda Sweater out of SWTC Karaoke bought from DBNY
• Lucy Hat out of Great Lakes Hand Dyed
• Entrelac scarf out of Cascade Yarns Souk
• Test Mitts for MelTran Designs out of Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light
• Owlie Sleep Sack out of Universal Yarns Soleil

Works in Progress:

• Owlie Hat out of Universal Yarns Soleil
• Two Vanilla Socks out of Opal 4-ply and 6-ply
• Quick discussion on sock needles
• Blanket Squares Log Cabin style on random acrylic yarns
• Merging Ripples Shawl out of CJ Kopec Creations

Review of bamboo needles purchased through ebay from sfcdirect

Acquisitions:

• From the local yarn store in addition to the Opal 6-ply Sport and the Soleil in turquoise, another Soleil in pea green and Sirdar Baby Snowball in multiple colors
• Lollipop Yarns in Sweet Child o' Mine
• Quick discussion on my spinning history including the Ashford drop spindle, a DODEC wheel and now...
• Turkish Spindle from Cattail Knits
• Merino Fiber from TreLiz

I am trying to add this feed to iTunes...  If you have a moment can you help me out and see if you can find DenKnits there and if so can you see any videos?

More shop updates!

Another four listings have been added today, all neckwear.

One cowl, the Owl Cowl, which is a nice shade of brown. It can also be worn as a ponytail hat.

A purple and orange scarf; it has 'hairs' of purple spiking out amongst the orange suede. Very fun!

Shades of pink in fluffy ruffles makes up another fun scarf. It is long enough to wrap 2-3 times around your neck.

The last listing contains two color choices for the same scarf. Ice, which is light blue, and Sweetheart, which is light pink, are fluffy and warm!

Go to DenKnits on Etsy to see it all.

Knitting updates

So many projects have been completed the past few months, but I have started keeping a better record on my Ravelry page since I found my other methods to be less permanent.

My first completed project was a purple scarf.  I just improvised a stitch pattern as I had limited internet access and no books.  It turns out that pattern makes the scarf curl some, but it's still a cute scarf.

When I was ready for another project I decided I should find a pattern and created my own loop scarf.  When it was done and I had yarn left, I decided to turn the stitch pattern into a matching hat.

I then felt ready to plunge into a special order hat, a bearded hat to be specific.  That was double layered.  I think I'm about 2 months into this hat but can see the finish line now!

I created a sunshine-y bucket/floppy style hat with sunflower colors as well as a hat out of self patterning yarn that looks almost like it has ears.

I started what I thought would be a purse, using a "x"s and "o"s cable effect, but the cables pulled it in so much it works better as a notions bag.  I did manage to create one cabled purse though, I just need to finish it off with a ribbon handle.

I made a cowl that can double as an earwarmer, or is it an earwarmer that can double as a cowl?  Either way, it's very practical in black and white!

Somewhere along the way I made a cropped cardigan for myself out of yarn from what is now a LYS to me. I definitely want to get into more cardigans :-)

I've got some breast cancer awareness items in process as well as a blanket for a baby girl due any day.  In que are a couple special scarves, fingerless mitts, and slipper socks.  Plus I have a lot of replacement knitting to do, #1 on that list are blankets for the kids.

Hats, mittens, hats, purses, a scarf, and custom order hats

After finishing the striped blues hat (which ended up looking too cute on my daughter), I still had hats on my mind, but I also had the single mitten waiting for it's future to be determined.  I did a test drive in the mitten and decided it was definitely too big and would have to be frogged.  I'm glad I did because I now have a pair of mittens that fit and are snugly warm!

With that off my mind and a half skein of yarn leftover, I decided to knit up a quick ribbed hat.  The Lion Brand Yarn Homespun is so versatile!  I've made hats, scarves, wristers, mittens and wraps out of it and they all look fabulous.

One of my thrift store yarns finds was a large amount of a crazy mix of red, black, and gray.  I had used some for a ski mask style hat for my son so I knew it made great hats.  This one has ribbing around the brim and then knit the rest of the way around.  My crown decreases were done to create a bit of a puff on the hat, so it's not exactly a beanie.

The marbled grays cabled purse was completed without further incident.  It's turned out to be a bigger purse with a handle that will easily fit over the shoulder.  The yarn was not as "stiff" as my previous purse yarn, but it gives it a more hobo bag look.

With one purse finished I was ready to do the next... this one using LBY Wool-Ease Thick and Quick.  This was my first time using this yarn and I loved it!  It was surprisingly soft and it was the thicker, stiffer yarn I was looking for in a purse yarn.  The finished product is a cute cabled handbag, perfect for grabbing only your essentials and going or teens/pre-teens who don't have to carry everything under the sun in their purse!

Since I completed the purses I had in mind, I decided to get back to hats.  I still had some LBY Homespun leftover after the mittens and the hat, but not quite enough for another hat on it's own.  Turns out I had more LBY Homespun in a complementary colorway so I put them together in a striped hat.  I made the crown a little longer for extra head room.

Sitting in my stash for too long, I decided I had to find a good project for the sparkly yarn I'd picked up from DBNY.  It is a medium weight yarn with sequins mixed in.  I really felt something lacy was in order but hadn't found something that caught my eye yet.  Off the cuff I decided to try a ruffle look on the ends.  So I cast on 3-4 times more stitches than I really wanted the scarf to be wide and then did quick decreases down to the right width.  From there I settled on a simple yo, K2tog lace look.  This scarf is still on the needles and starting to curl a bit which I think is giving it another intriguing design element.

The aforementioned scarf is still on the needles and moving slower now that I have some hat orders.  I'd previously knit a versatile cowl/head warmer for her, similar to the one in my Etsy shop.  She wanted to get a few hats to keep her head warm but not get overheated.  After looking at some knit hats online, we collaborated to come up with two ideas to get me started.  The first hat is out of a lovely lavender lace or fingering weight yarn.  It's started with a lace pattern, that gives the edge a scalloped look, and finished with stockinette.  The second hat will be out of the red, black and grey yarn with cables and lace.

Phew... I've done a lot of knitting over the past couple of weeks!  A whooping 10 projects completed, on the needles or almost on the needles :-)  Next up is getting good pics of everything and updating the Etsy shop again!

What's Next?

I've been fairly busy with work work but have gotten in some knit work too...  I am currently working on a purse/bag and have another one in my brain.  I finished a lovely knit wire bracelet that I am very excited about.  I'm always working on dishcloths and have some festive Christmas yarn to work with next.  

Speaking of Christmas, I'm taking orders!  Now's the time to place orders to have them in knit in time for the holidays.  I'm going to be working on a custom order of a couple of cloths with matching kitchen towel.  It should be lovely.  

I still have a few skeins of beautiful yarns that will make some really neat scarves as well as some cozy warm cowls.

Well, I should really get back to my knitting now :-)

What's happening?

I've been busy knitting and listing on a fairly regular basis... I have gotten almost all of my finished cloths listed as well as the green cowl.  I still have a cloth trio set to photograph which has proven to be one of my biggest challenges.

Currently on the needles are two projects and both are very close to being complete!  I have another up-cycled item, made from a heavy thermal shirt.  I'm not sure at this point if it will be another long cowl or perhaps just a scarf.  It feels like it will definitely be cozy either way!  My other item is the purse I've been struggling with for a bit.  My first attempt was done up with needles a little too big for the yarn and a pattern that was a little too complicated for the size of the bag.  I simplified the pattern and switched to smaller needles and am loving the result!  I plan to make a strap long enough so the purse can be worn across the chest.  It should be great for holding all your must-haves like a cell phone, wallet, and keys, along with a some other small items such as travel tissues or a pill case.