A Quick Knit...

Seeing as the high for this week was 11°F (and about -5°F all week with windchill-- I kid you not!) I put aside my chevron stitch cowl and knitted up a quick, comfy and warm scarf that only took about 4 hours total (I was also speed knitting, determined to have it in time for walking to class the next day). This is a great knit for cold weather because the scarf is very wide, which covers a lot of your neck and face, and the lace allows your skin to still breathe. This also makes a great last minute birthday present-- I made one for a friend over Thanksgiving break and she loves it!

I used a combination of purse lace stitch and garter stitch to knit this beauty up. The purse lace stitch is just P1, *YO, P2Tog; rep from * to last St, P1 (must CO multiples of 2-- I COed 28 stitches).

Thanks Susan for modeling :)

I used dirt cheap  inexpensive Red Brand worsted weight yarn in plum for this scarf. Although Red Brand has gotten a bad rap for being scratchy and uncomfortable I found that pre washing it with shampoo really helps soften it. 

Start out the scarf with garter stitch for 4 rows and then switch to purse lace; add in 4 rows of garter stitch whenever you get bored of knitting purse lace  want to aesthetically enhance the look of your scarf. 

First Project of 2013!

Combining the two yarns...

Now that I've gotten back to school, purchased all my texts books, gone to my first week of class and (reluctantly) started homework, I'm finally ready to start my first project of 2013. Since being back at school it has already snowed/hailed/rained several times and has reminded me that I am in need of another comfy scarf. Because I'm a poor college student  Because I want to try using my stash yarn before buying anything new, I'm gonna to try a combo of three different skeins...  worsted weight in cream, worsted weight in stone, and a chunky powder blue. To off set the weight of the chunky yarn i'm going to knit with the cream and stone together to get a comparable width. Below are some pictures of my beginning work. The stitch I am using is called the "Chevron Stitch" (on reverse stockinette). 

Anddd color change!

 The Chevron stitch creates a nice subtle horizontal zigzag using reverse stockinette that I think looks great on large pieces (scarves, hats, blankets).  Below are the instructions on how to create this same chevron stitch (note: for the color change, I carried the alternate yarn up the right side of the work instead of breaking the yarn).

Chevron Stitch:

Row 1 (RS): K5, *P1, K5; rep from * to end.

Row 2: K1, *P3, K3; rep from * to last 4 stitches, P3, K1.
Row 3: P2, *K1, P2; rep from * to end.
Row 4: P1, *K3, P3; rep from * to last 4 stitches, K3, P1.
Row 5: K2, *P1, K5; rep from * to last 3 stitches, P1, K2.
Row 6: Purl all stitches.

Repeat rows 1-6 for the length of your piece :)

2012 Reflection: Stash and FO's

Past works and current stash... I didn't realize just how much yarn I had accumulated until it was all laid out in front of me (whoops!)...

Looking back on when I taught myself how to knit in July 2012, I think I've come a long way from just regular garter stitch scarves! ~From left to right: basic socks; seed stitch infinity scarf; striped stockinette scarf; Angel Hair ear flap hat; cabled head band; cabled scarf~

Some of my biggest goals for 2013 are to learn how to felt, use the magic loop knitting method, and to complete an entire wardrobe made from knitted items... oh, and to learn a few more unique stitches/patterns. What are some of your knitting resolutions?

New Year, New Approach

So... this is the first blog entry of the new year-- and the first entry I've ever written. Not that I've thought blogs are pointless or anything, but I've never been one to write down my thoughts, ideas, inspirations, etc.... until now. In the 4th grade I had a diary-- sparkles and squiggles on the cover and everything-- and managed to write in it for 1 week before I discarded it under my bed with the rest of junk I had lost interest in... hopefully, that won't be the case with this blog!!

I decided to create this blog as a way of reflecting on and recording knitting projects as I work through them. I'm a self taught knitter and hope to share some insight (and cute patterns!) to other knitters out there like me.

I hope to break the mold of what a knitter is thought to be, and show that you don't have to be 90+ and wrinkled to be able to knit beautiful things. So, without further ado, let the new year of knitting commence!!