Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Lace Ribbon Scarf

After I saw the book “Knit so fine” and ordered it online (which by the way has not yet arrived to my big disappointment) I went to do an inventory of my thin yarns. I found this white little ball that Jo of Celtic Memory gave to me about a year ago. When I picked it up, it had a small note tucked in the middle of it and as far as I remember correctly, it said that the yarn was made of cashmere and wool. The little note has disappeared mysteriously and I can’t check it any more.

I picked up 3,5 mm needles and copied a pattern from Knitty that I had seen knit by Ann or Kay or both in MasonDixon blog. The pattern seemed like a one that would be easy to memorize and a perfect summer knit and I thought that I had just barely enough yarn to make a tiny scarf.

The yarn felt a bit sticky somehow and squeaky too while I started to knit with it. It was not a big enjoyment at first because of the abovementioned reasons but it felt so new and different that knitting with it grew on me. While knitting I was catching up with few podcasts.

I have enjoyed listening to Weavecast from the very beginning. That podcast is very well prepared and always informative and this time Judith MacKenzie McCuin was interviewed in the program. She has a new book coming out in the fall and she told briefly about the book in the program. And she said something about being your own yarn factory and that one can do just about anything with commercial yarns also. One can play with the twist, add on or take off some or even change the direction, or bundle different yarns up to make new interesting combinations. I was thrilled. It was like a door to a new world was opened a bit and I saw a glimpse. I can’t quite picture yet where I can go with this bit of news but with courage and willing to play, I could discover few new paths.

I have kept knitting from that small ball of yarn for a few days now. I have weighted the ball in my hands trying to evaluate just how much I have left and saying to myself, maybe two or three more whole pattern repeats. And I have done that a few times. Today I finally finished the yarn. The scarf is waiting for a good soaking and good blocking. And it does not appear to be a tiny one. The words of being one’s own yarn factory keep coming back to me. For the first time in months I have some new yarn on the bobbin of the spinning wheel - and since the scarf is off the needles, new yarn will be on them soon too.

Lene

Ps. I kicked my sock mojo in the butt and told him to get on the road. He has stayed here for quite a bit and frankly I am sick and tired of his company. He became very greedy and selfish and took over everything and insisted in being the center of my knitting universe. Well, that just couldn’t be any more. He is gone and between us, I don’t care if he is gone for good. I might knit occasional leggings and stockings but as far as socks go, I am done. The red socks were the final call.

Ps. The books I made were all happily taken by my girls.


11 comments:

  1. Oooh, I can't wait to see the blocked scarf. Maybe your sock mojo will come stay with me for a little while and help me get mine back!

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  2. Mmmm, I'm with Carrie, I'm looking forward to seeing the scarf blocked out.

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  3. ps... loved watching Tina swimming in the lake!

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  4. Anonymous01:38

    I didn't turn the sound on, if there was any. It was just so surreal and amazing to watch this little bit of *film* of a dog swimming, across the world from me. It must be what people felt when they saw the first motion pictures. Amazing.

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  5. Anonymous05:47

    I wanted to see Tina come out and shake off droplets of water in all directions!

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  6. Anonymous13:33

    I love the idea of a white summer scarf - look forward to seeing the finished version!

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  7. Anonymous17:21

    Socks are very hard to quit! Once you get sock fever, I don't think the urge ever goes away completely. So it will be very impressive if you keep that resolution. ;-) But for now, if it means more lace knitting, it's a great idea! :-)

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  8. Anonymous18:40

    Lene, So good to read your blog! Of course, I laughed about what you did to the sock mojo!. However, one more thing about the red socks.....Mountain Colors yarn if made where I grew up. So,right away I recognized the name given the yarn,"Ruby River". It runs through the picturesque Ruby Valley in southwest Montana. It's called the Ruby for the garnets which "sharp-eyed" people still pick out of the stream's gravel. Also, gold was found there in the "old days"! I found my information on montanahomepage.com
    The red socks are wonderful and the white scarf I would like to touch; it looks so good. One question: why do you soak the scarf after knitting it? The best to you always. Jeanie in Missoula

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  9. Tina looks like she is enjoying her swim! Dad got a new puppy last week and they are becoming friends. I hope to send some photos soon.

    Thanks for linking to the scarf. I may fool around with that one to see if I can make a narrow version.

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  10. Hi Lene, I am getting 'Knit so fine' for my birthday! Can't wait to get it. Your scarf is inspiring. You knit so fast!

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  11. Anonymous07:01

    Hi Lene
    I just looked at the ruby socks - love them.

    Tina looks very happy - in the opening shots , I thought of the Loch Ness monster!

    I may make that scarf in Koigu. You see, I am still enamoured with the variegated yarns...
    Best to you and those you love
    Margie

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