Hand-spun scarf

Mini Scarf – just in time for spring.

I've always admired the two-ply, two-color yarn that is most often hand spun.  I think it makes the most beautiful yarns.  So I was excited to buy this skein from "Spun Monkey" last summer at Squam.  I wish that I had photographed it in it's un-knit glory, because it's something that I think was almost more beautiful before it was knit.  (Is it a crime to admit that?)

Handspun yarn loveliness.

I did knit it though.  The small fry asked me for a scarf and I think she liked the color variation in this yarn.  She's little enough to think that some of what I wear is worth mimicking and I love to wear scarves.  And as you might guess, I was happy to oblige.

She's a character this one.  And you knitters out there will appreciate this:  when we dress her in the mornings, if she ends up wearing a sweater, she asks if I knit it.  Isn't that funny and wonderful?  I love that she understands that people can make things - useful things - like clothing, and art, and birthday cakes.  She's a good girl, if I do say so myself.  (And as I re-read this, I realize I sound about as objective about her as my own mother is about me.  Ha.)

Gorgeous colors, right?

The scarf is a simple one.  It was cast on size 8 needles, and began with 4 rows of seed stitch, and then I continued up the scarf with the first two and last two stitches in seed stitch and the center in stockinette.  I finished it with 4 rows of seed stitch to try to prevent too much rolling.  I highly recommend this yarn, it's beautiful and even more so in the skein.

Baby shorts

Cute pants on cute "Jack and Jill" chair.

How about these for a cozy baby bum?  I was so enamoured of the photo of Baby Shorts in the Debbie Bliss book, that I thought I would cast these on.  (I have a strict personal rule about wearing anything knit over my own backside, but I think that people in diapers are able to carry it off.)

I knit these out of some leftover Louet Gems that I had purchased a few years ago from a sale bin.  I was able to get an aran sweater out of it, and now these... I don't remember what I paid for the yarn, but it's netted a couple really nice little finished projects.

These knit up really quickly, and cleverly use short rows for extra length in the back of the pants... to accommodate the diapered bottom.  The finishing was really simple, as there was only the seam down the center front and back and the short inseam between the legs. The legs are finished nicely with a picot edge.  If you haven't knit a picot edge before, I'd recommend trying it.  It's really very simple and the results are very satisfying and make a really nicely finished edge.

Picot edge.

I wanted to mention this little chair too.  Isn't it darling.  I picked it up in the best little antique store... more a boutique than a typical antique store.  They have a knack for selecting and artfully arranging really fun and eclectic pieces.  It's called Roots in Maplewood.  If you are ever in St. Louis, you should check it out!

I hope that you and yours are keeping warm in your respective regions.

Quill Cowl

Quill - can't wait to show you
in better lighting

I am a long lost illustration student. I love details and fine work. And I started quite some time ago drafting an illustration that I could translate into a two-color piece of knitting.  Needless to say, it grew and grew and is now an unwieldily chart.

But I just love the image and the fluid repeat.  And I think it turned into a really nice cowl.  There will be a pattern coming soon, until then, here is a sneak peak...  it reminds me of paper quilling.