Hired Hands

You may have already heard, but it bears repeating: Scarves are urgently needed!

So until I have time to write this up properly and post the pdf file, here is the pattern. You still have time to make and send one of these.

The first and last stitches are selvedge stitches. The first stitch is always slipped purlwise with yarn in front, and the last stitch is always knit.

C2F: with right needle, knit the 2nd stitch on the left needle, then knit the first stitch on the left needle and let both stitches slip off

C2B: with right needle, knit the 2nd stitch on the left needle through the back loop, then knit the first stitch on the left needle and let both stitches slip off

Cast on a multiple of 4 stitches. My scarf has 40 stitches. The yarn is Zara, a DK weight yarn, and I am using a 4.5 mm needle.

Row 1: Slip 1, (P2, C2F) to last 3 sts, P2, K1
Row 2: Slip 1, (C2F, P2) to last 3 sts, C2F, K1
Row 3: Slip 1, (P2, C2B) to last 3 sts, P2, K1
Row 4: Slip 1, (C2B, P2) to last 3 sts, C2B, K1

Repeat these 4 rows. Bind off.

This picture shows both sides of the scarf. Yes, it is the same scarf in both pictures. What can I say? It was a grey day.

On sale at Canadian Tire. And contrary to what the description says, they are grey on the reverse, not black, as you can see in the picture below, which also demonstrates why you should buy extra. Sale ends tomorrow!

Yeah, my computer does that. Too often and without warning.

Pink baby sweater: just needs buttons.

New scarf pattern!

I liked the texture of Laurie’s ripple rib scarf and she kindly sent me the stitch pattern. But I wanted something reversible so after much swatching I figured it out and will post it soon.

What’s black and white and red all over? Socks! These took 2/3 of a 100g ball. I forgot to use the reinforcing thread. Oh well.

Lichen-dyed yarn.

A small experiment. I used this stuff that grows abundantly on some of my trees.

6g of lichen boiled in 600 g of water; strained, added 1 Tbsp vinegar and 6 g (dry) of wetted wool yarn. Simmered 1 hour and then let cool to room temp. Rinsed in clean water and hung to dry. It has the most wonderful woodsy smell.

My favourite sock yarn in my favourite colours from a favourite friend. Oh. She sent a treat too. Chocolate covered mini twists. I can't show you a picture because, um, it's too dark now. Yeah, that's it.

And I promised you pictures of knitting too.

Hey, I didn't say they would be good pictures.

Here we have pieces of a baby sweater for a co-worker's girl baby born 4 weeks ago. The pattern (yes, I can follow patterns) is the Celestial Baby Sweater by Lucy Neatby. It was the perfect use for one skein of Sundara sock yarn in the colourway 'Dahlia', from the Petals collection of a few years back. The yarn is beautifully dyed, but I don't wear pink. I've also sworn off knitting socks with 100% merino yarn after bad experiences with poor longevity.

And I finished the mate to the striped sock I showed you a few posts ago. Well, they are not really finished as there are a bazillion ends to sew in. The stitch pattern is from the Conwy sock by Nancy Bush. The stripes make me smile. I think they look rather Dr. Seuss-ish, like something the Cat in the Hat might wear around the house in the winter.

To end this post I just have to show you this bush. The first picture was taken a month ago, the second picture was taken today.

It is not a burning bush, but I'm not sure what it is. Here is a closer up view.

It looks kind of like a bigger, taller variety of blueberry, and I think I may have picked blueberries from it back in the summer, but I'm not sure. I guess I will find out next summer.