I've been doing lots of knitting lately. It's a great break from studying and is a lot less of a mess than sewing or quilting, so I don't have to worry about cleaning up after myself when I pull out the needles.
As with all of my sweater projects, I tend to get sick of them about halfway through and want to cast on anything but another sweater, so my Amelia is waiting in the wings right now until inspiration strikes again. I still hope to finish it by the end of the year, but I have to get a couple small projects finished up before I start on it again.
My first break from Amelia was for this Red Scarf Project Scarf. I've been in a bit of a purple rut lately, so it was so refreshing to use yarn that is not purple for a bit. The yarn I used for this project is called Shepherd's Wool and it's from Stonehedge Fiber Mill near Traverse City, Michigan. This yarn is Michigan's best kept secret. It's similar to Cascade 220 because it is a solid worsted weight yarn that comes in lots of colors. But, it's 250 yards/skein, is a lot softer than Cascade 220 and is thicker and woollier than Cascade. It's great for felting and it's super soft to wear on your skin.
I pulled out my old bamboo needles for this project. They are my first pair of needles and the pair that I learned to knit with and it was fun to use them again. I mainly use my interchangeable circulars for all projects now, but wanted to use these for nostalgia's sake.
Here's the finished scarf:
Pattern: ScaWiNoNa or Scarf with No Name
Size: 6"x72"
Needle Size: 9
The Red Scarf Projects is taking donations until December 15. Check out their website for details. Thanks, Melissa for spreading the word about this great cause.
Also on the needles are this Big Montana Tunic from the Fall Interweave:
I was sort of in denial for a while about how this sweater would look on me and then I saw something online about how women with larger chests should not wear sleeveless turtlenecks and it kind of sealed the deal for me. I'll be ripping this one out and starting on a different project. I've got six skeins of this yarn to work with, so I think I'll use most of it to make Wrenna from French Girl Knits. It's a short sleeved cardigan and I think it will work much better with my body type.
My weekend project has been working on the End of May Hat, this beautiful colorwork pattern from Zig Zag Stitch. I am slowly getting the hang of knitting in both hands and it's been fun to see the pattern progress as I go. I think the yarn that I chose for the project is a bit too close in value, so the colors won't pop individually, but I'll save my final judgment for when the hat is finished.
• • •
Finally, Jon, my sister and I went to the Detroit Urban Craft Fair yesterday. My sister got a stained glass Michigan necklace, Jon and I got a couple of screenprinted designs stretched on canvas from All Things Grow for our offices, and I bought my first skein of hand spun yarn from hands + notions.
In the words of my sister, "I really like how it smells. It's sort of gross, like sawdust or something, but it smells good to me." I agree. Ahh...the smell of wool! I'm going to pair this yarn with a cream yarn and make a striped scarf similar to the Noro striped scarf. I'm so excited to work with handspun for the first time!
I always love the colors you pick.
Posted by: sew katie did | 22 November 2009 at 11:39 AM
Knitting has been my craft of choice lately--though you have been way more productive than I have!
Posted by: jessica | 22 November 2009 at 01:03 PM
that red scarf follows such a pretty pattern! lovely.
Posted by: montague | 22 November 2009 at 01:39 PM
!!! So many fun projects! I'm partial to the hat, of course, but everything looks so fun!
Posted by: Mandy | 22 November 2009 at 01:46 PM
You are the Queen of Knit - what gorgeous projects - sooooooo yummy!
Posted by: Allie | 22 November 2009 at 02:36 PM
everything looks fantastic!
love how your scarf turned out and i really like that wrenna pattern.
you got some awesome things at the craft fair - that yarn is beyond gorgeous, i want to reach into the computer and touch it! (and yes, love that wool smell!!)
Posted by: melissa | 22 November 2009 at 04:28 PM
That hand spun yarn is just gorgeous, and I can't wait to see how it knits up! You have been very busy knitting away, lots of great projects.
Posted by: Stephanie | 22 November 2009 at 07:51 PM
wow! you've really got a lot going on over there! i love how your red scarf project scarf turned out- lovely pattern! i totally understand how nice it is to switch things up every now and again and get out the bamboo straight needles. i'm super impressed by your colorwork on the hat- it looks great! i am still very intimidated by such things. you are a brave and talented soul.
Posted by: CMV | 22 November 2009 at 08:23 PM
Your knitting is beautiful and your photographs of your knitting are very inspiring. That new handspun yarn looks like the same colors as the Heather Ross Mendocino fabric in aqua that I love so much.
Posted by: Anne | 23 November 2009 at 07:51 AM
I am loving all the wooly goodness in this post! The red scarf turned out so pretty. I will have to check out that yarn...
Too bad about the Big Montana Tunic, it is such a cute pattern. I like how your hat is coming along, I hope to try my hand at fair isle soon.
Posted by: Trisha | 23 November 2009 at 02:05 PM
Oh, thats funny, I just posted yesterday about my tendency to not finish things.
http://fingerthumb.typepad.com/finger-thumb/2009/11/the-90-rule.html
I love what you are getting finished though. Sweet scarf. And I really like those screen prints you bought. lovely.
Posted by: finger thumb | 24 November 2009 at 11:33 AM
after see your pictures i want learn how knit...! i love your hand spun yarn... those colors are really beautiful!
Posted by: RosaMaría | 24 November 2009 at 10:26 PM
wow! and people ask me if I sleep. you definitely must not. :)
Posted by: amandajean | 02 December 2009 at 09:23 AM
Oh, hand spun yarn, that looks amazing! I love the red scarf. How was that patten, easy enough for me (the girl who loves to knit basically just dishcloths)? Too bad about the tunic. I like how it was turning out.
Posted by: cami | 10 December 2009 at 04:07 PM