Are you between projects? Sometimes, once a project is done, I just don’t know where to go from there. Since it’s hard to sit with nothing in my hands, I like to have an easy project to work on during these interim times, until inspiration hits. Something that’s boring, that can be put down for a week or a month (or two), then picked up without losing a beat. It’s also got to be something I know I’m going to love when it’s done, like a boring-to-knit scarf in my favorite yarn or favorite colors, so that I do actually want to finish it. This summer, my interim project has been a simple scarf with seed-stitch borders and stockinette in-between in these pretty colors of lace-weight mohair, held 2 strands at a time:
Incredibly boring to work on, except for all the gorgeous pinks!
I finished the first Star Lord scarf. It’s quite pretty and striking:
but I was very disappointed in her recommended cast on; it completely ruined the scarf for me. You can see how lumpy it is (the left edge above), and it didn’t stretch. I thought I had done it wrong, despite watching the recommended video, so I messed around with it with some swatches and some more videos and it still came out badly. I played with some other cast-ons that are supposed to stretch and the one I liked best, which also matches her nice bind-off better, was the German Twisted Cast-on. I used it on my second attempt and am much happier (upper right in the photo below); it’s stretchy but firm and regular even without blocking:
Ann Alderman made this pretty Sunshine Coast, one of my favorite summer sweaters. It looks great on her:
Many of us have made it – I already have 2 and want at least one more! It’s on my list.
Karen Wenrich made this wonderful Topolino from organic merino:
I love how it came out and how it looks on her; check out those sweet little details at the shoulder and cuff. It’s on my list (my list is getting longer!) and may end up a class in the fall. As much as I LOVE the color she used, (of course, because oatmeal!) I’m going to force myself to use an actual color. One more oatmeal or gray sweater in my closet will do nothing to enhance my wardrobe, which desperately needs some enhancement. Or maybe enchantment because I’m afraid only magic will help. Anyway, life has been pretty neutral for a long time; I really yearn for color.
And if you also yearn for color, this yarn-bombing was photographed by Barbara Kurka in Brooklyn and published in the NY Times “Well” newsletter.
Find some scraps and a tree that needs a hug and get to it!
Just a heads-up: Next week, we will be open regular hours on June 16, Wednesday (11 – 6), then closed for vacation until the following Wednesday. Hope you’re having lovely summer!
