The Traveling Scarf, A Series: The Seed

After completing my husband's fisherman's sweater, I wasn't sure what I'd knit next. It wasn't too long before an opportunity arose. I've decided to try something a little different and completely new to me. A friend of mine on Facebook decided to start a Traveling Scarf project. What's that? Well, it's sort of like a chain letter, only much better and not so annoying. Basically, you find a group of knitters/crocheters who are interested and start a scarf chain. It's best to have between 10 and 12 participants so that the end result is impressive and so that it takes some time and the scarves get some travel. It's a way to harvest creativity and to "meet" others with the same interests in the process.

Here's how it works (at least, it's how this one works): first, each person starts a "seed" section. We each decided what preferences we have for our respective scarves (color, yarn weight, textures, fibers, etc.) and wrote those preferences in a little notebook to be sent along with our seed. Each person is asked to add a little bit of information to the accompanying journal. Once we determine our specs and preferences, we started our "seed" which is about a 5"- 6" section of knitting. Once finished, the seed is mailed off to the next person on the list of participants. There are twelve people in this traveling scarf chain, so when it's all complete each scarf is going to be around five feet long. Long scarves, yes, but a very cool outcome to see what everybody comes up with!

So, our first mailing date was actually March 27, and I am a little late getting to the post office. Our mailing dates are in two week increments; and while I was a little worried that between work, chasing a toddler, and being pregnant it might be challenging for me to keep up, I really didn't want to miss out on this experience because I think it's a really unique thing. I made it to the post office today; so I'm only 3 days behind schedule, but that's only because of the weekend. I'll do better with the next mail date!

My little seed is pictured above. I wanted to keep it simple so I could get it in the mail, but I wanted to try something new, too. Someone in the group had mentioned a past scarf in which she only specified everyone use "mistake rib" pattern. I am not familiar with mistake rib, so I Googled it and found some tutorials and decided that's what to use for my seed. For color, I want different shades of blues and greens; preferably alternating. I asked for no 100% wool yarn because I have some sensitivity to wool; blends are okay. My last request was that worsted weight yarn be used to keep it consistent. If this scarf is not ridiculously long, it will likely be shared by me and my son. If it's huge, it'll be too long for him. In that case, it may just be a decorative memento. My seed color looks grey in the picture, but it's actually a light shade of blue. I used Caron Simply Soft yarn in Light Country Blue. I am excited to see how it turns out and I can't wait to start receiving the other scarves!

Magnum Opus

It has been some time, but I actually did finish the Fisherman's Sweater for my husband! I began this project back at the end of June, 2014. My goal had been to finish it in time for cold weather in November. Due to two moves and a lot of non-knitting snags, it took me longer than I'd hoped. I had hoped to finish it in time for Christmas, but I missed by a month. I was finished by early February, 2015. Just in time for Valentine's Day. It took me about 7 months to complete!

This has been one of my favorite projects (of course)! I love cables and this pattern has plenty of cable patterns. It actually combines about 5 different cable patterns into one sweater. My biggest fear throughout the entire  process was that it would end up too short and the sleeves wouldn't be the right length. Well, the sleeves were just fine. It did come out slightly short at the bottom. It is amazing what blocking can do!



I was also concerned with my ability to sew all the seams together. A seamstress, after all, I am not. Surprisingly, sewing the sleeves on and figuring out mattress stitch for the sides was not nearly as difficult as I'd feared. It also didn't take me as long to sew up as I had expected it would. I am fascinated with mattress stitch. It just disappears and the seam is invisible! Amazing!

So, on February 8, 2015, I completed my first winter sweater. It was knit with love for my husband, who is always hot, so I'm not sure if/when he'll even wear it! In any case, he has tried it on and to my utter amazement, it fits! I was most worried about the sleeves, but they turned out just fine. The bottom is a little short, but I was able to block it pretty easily and it "grew" another 4 inches. He was patient enough to pose for a picture while sweating to death in his sweater. He is a true fisherman, however, and it will likely come in handy on his November walleye fishing trips.

The question now is, what do I knit next?

Review: Colonial Needle Company Bamboo Circular Interchangeable Needle Set

I've been shopping for a new set of interchangeable knitting needles on WEBS and saw they carry my current set. I love them and I was sad to see negative reviews. I had to write my own review since I absolutely love these needles! Below, is my review.

I've been using this set for more than four years now. I have had no major problems with them. I love that I can make them into flexible straight needles and that I can lengthen the cables for larger projects. I recently used this set to knit my first sweater. It turned out beautifully. I also love the case that comes with the set and the gauge tool which conveniently has a small blade for cutting yarn. The only complaints I have about this set is that once in awhile the cable unscrews from the needles as I'm knitting; and a couple of the cables don't fit the needle properly. I think there may be some stripping. I know I can get in touch with the company to have them replaced, though, so I'm not that upset about it.