As Winter draws to a close this week, here is a collection of my favourite hand-knitted scarves. I particularly enjoy working with mohair, especially from New Zealand. Most skeins were bought from the Stitches & Craft Show, which used to be at the Caulfield RaceCourse every March & September... for years! (See my earlier post, Fire Scarf, which I completed in June this year).
While we are we looking forward with anticipation to the first balmy breaths of a warm Spring breeze ... in reality, I expect the weather will remain quite chilly for a few more weeks (or months?!) - That's Melbourne!
Purple / Green / Brown scarf: "Touch Alpine" - 12 ply. Knits up beautifully, and is SO light and warm to wear! This is a lovely, variagated woollen thread, and amazingly, it arranged itself into those vertical stripes.
I receive so many compliments about this scarf! Plus, it's really versatile to wear, colour-wise. Cast on 22 stitches onto size 10mm needles. Do Garter stitch (knit every row), until desired length. (I prefer about 110-130cm). It's 25cm wide. (Winter 2007)
Red Rib: Use 2 threads: Cleckheaton De Luxe Velvet Ribbon + 8ply plain red. Cast on 20 stitches, Size 10mm needles. Pattern is Single Rib (Knit 1, Purl 1, continue). Chunky and bright. I made this one 140cm, as it was a bit thicker. (Winter 2006)
Lavender Rib: Used "Fairy Floss", from Lincraft. It feels like Chenille - lovely! Using 2 strands, cast on 14 stitches, Size 10mm needles. (Knit 1, Purl 1). Looks great with jeans, for a casual look. (Winter 2008)
Rust / Cinnamon Broken Rib - Another favourite!
Using Filatura Di Crosa - Multicolour. 60% mohair, 40% acrylic. 2 x 50g balls. Needles: 5mm. Cast on 45 stitches - Knit 2, Purl 2 to end, Knit 1. Repeat for each line.
This Rust scarf took a lot longer (smaller needles, and more care required to ensure pattern doesn't get mixed up...) needless to say... the occasional back-tracking was required to fix minor mistakes. Completed on the daily train commute from Ashburton to the City. (Winter, 2008)
Soft Smoky Denim Blue / Silver Grey. Picasso Heirloom, 12 ply, made in France. 38% mohair, 59% acrylic, 3% polyester. So Soft! Cast on 22 stitches, 10mm needles. Finished size: 22cm x 130cm. Pattern is Garter stitch. This ensures the side edges don't curl in. (Winter 2007)
As you can see, I'm very much influenced by flattering colours, and top-quality wool. Then, you really only need a simple pattern which doesn't overpower scarf. This allows the beauty of the fibre to shine through! Try it! I just love wearing my own creations!
Really lovely scarves! I agree that a good yarn makes a difference. Yours are amazing. I wish I could find such beauties here in my country (Guatemala). Not so lucky here :-(
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog, and leaving a note. I left you there the basic info for the neck warmer. I am considereing writing the pattern for a future post.
Keep the good work! Greetings,
♥ Ana BC