Yarn Is My Métier » Feb http://www.yarnismymetier.com Where the gauge runs wild and the needles roam free Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:05:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 FO: Simply 17 http://www.yarnismymetier.com/2009/02/26/fo-simply-17/ http://www.yarnismymetier.com/2009/02/26/fo-simply-17/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:59:00 +0000 Karen B. http://yarnismymetier.com/wordpress/?p=27 When I was in my early teens, my friends and I would go downtown to the movies. Any remaining money we had would be pooled to buy munchies and drinks at the corner snack shop. I always remembered this place because it was a remnant of a bygone era, with its huge neon sign above the [...]]]> When I was in my early teens, my friends and I would go downtown to the movies. Any remaining money we had would be pooled to buy munchies and drinks at the corner snack shop. I always remembered this place because it was a remnant of a bygone era, with its huge neon sign above the door in cotton candy colors, surrounded by blinking marquee lights proclaiming “17.”

Today’s project put me in the mind of that place because it was also made possible by leftovers. Say hello to “Simply 17,” a striped garter stitch scarf:

FO: Simply 17 modeled by Rocky T. Cat
“Am I a super-model yet?” – Rocky*


Details
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Bulky (approx. 1/2 skein) in South Shore (MC) and Lilac (CC)
Needles: (2) 9 US / 5,5 mm bamboo dpns

1. Using MC, cast on 17 stitches
2. Knit MC back to RS edge
3. Pick up CC and knit up and back, creating one ridge
4. Repeat 2 and 3 until piece measures 36″ / 92 cm, ending with CC row at RS edge.
5. Pick up MC and continue for another 14″ / 36 cm. Bind off and weave in ends.

You’ll end up with a petite scarf that is two-thirds subtle stripe and one-third softly variegated (or solid, depending on the yarn you choose).

FO: Simply 17 garter stitch scarf

By the way, Rocky’s first turn on the granite catwalk lasted an entire 3 seconds. Harrumph! No cat pants for you!

FO: Simply 17 no longer modeled by Rocky T. Cat
“Whaddya mean I won’t get paid in tuna???” – Rocky

*Thanks to Monica for the suggestion that Rocky needed a scarf and to domesticat’s crew for showing him how it’s done.

]]> http://www.yarnismymetier.com/2009/02/26/fo-simply-17/feed/ 12 The Little Things http://www.yarnismymetier.com/2009/02/13/the-little-things/ http://www.yarnismymetier.com/2009/02/13/the-little-things/#comments Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:24:00 +0000 Karen B. http://yarnismymetier.com/wordpress/?p=29 If you’ve ever been away from something for a long time, you’ll understand when I tell you how difficult it becomes to return to it.

When it came to relating crafting stories, I felt dried up; choking on the sameness and wanting something else. I kept waiting for the spark of inspiration or the kind of [...]]]> If you’ve ever been away from something for a long time, you’ll understand when I tell you how difficult it becomes to return to it.

When it came to relating crafting stories, I felt dried up; choking on the sameness and wanting something else. I kept waiting for the spark of inspiration or the kind of project deserving of your attention because I figured that’s what was needed for me to legitimately re-engage. That is, until I observed the pure joy displayed by a 2 year old girl when I gifted her with a colorful pair of mitts the other night. She rolled around and modeled and mugged for the camera, all the while flashing her infectious smile.

FO: Luxy's Mitts
A girl and her new “sleevies”

They’re little things – perhaps 4 inches in length – but they (and she) reminded me that I didn’t need a grand gesture or an intricate something requiring serious examination. Yes, she put them on backwards but she no matter. Luxy was having fun. In that moment, I found clarity. This isn’t life and death. It’s just the occasional missive that I put out into the world; my “Hello. I’ve missed talking with you.” Could it be any simpler than that?

Details
Lorna’s Laces Bulky (South Shore and Lilac) – leftovers from Thorpe (Ravelry link)
Four size 10 US / 6 mm dpns

Toddler Mitts in LL bulkyCast on 20 stitches, placing 10 on one needle and 5 each on the remaining 2 needles. Join in a circle and knit 12 rows of k1,p1 ribbing.

If you’ve ever made mittens in the round, you know the rest: increase for the palm, make room for the thumb then knit rounds until you reach the appropriate length. I topped out these mitts with 3 garter ridges and a little single crochet, but you can do ribbing or ribbon or roll edge – whatever your heart desires.

For those not comfortable with these loosey-goosey instructions, I heartily suggest you add Ann Budd’s “Knitters Handy Book of Patterns” to your library. It can be a lifesaver!

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