Day 365 AND THE END

I made it I made it I MADE IT I MADE IT!!

The final scarf of the year. All posted and made and shared with anyone who happens by. This one took me longer than any other scarf. I used the smallest needles that I've used on any scarf. I did tiny cables and by a long shot there were more cable crossings than any of my other cables scarves put together. It only seems right that the final scarf should be the biggest effort as a way of finishing my year with a bang.

This one is a free pattern available on Ravelry called the Celtic Cable Scarf. The pattern was very well written, but it was all written and no chart, so be ready to either chart it out yourself or just pay close attention on the first repeat so you can refer to the scarf itself for the rest of the scarf instead.

If I'm being totally honest with myself, instead of being excited for completing my challenge, I'm actually disappointed that it's over. It feels a little bit like a gradation. I feel very accomplished, but on the other hand I feel like I've come to an end.

When it all comes down to it, I think the positives outweigh the postpartum depression. I'm very happy that I made my goal. I'm very happy that I had so many scarves to give as gifts for Christmas and still have many more to give to someone who needs them. I certainly did devastate my stash (though it remains quite overwhelming). I even managed to learn a few new techniques and new ways to use old techniques. I learned a little bit more about most people's likes and dislikes when it comes to outerwear. Finally I think the most important thing I learned was quite a lot about time management! I'll never be late for another gift giving situation and I recognize the importance of planning ahead. If I can use these lessons to my advantage in the future, I'll have used this year to great advantage.

It's been a great year and I'm looking forward to 2012!! Be on the lookout for more posts from Kevin. He has a blogging project about Disney feature length animated movies. Watch for me and my hopefully many finished objects. Most of all have a safe and Happy New Year.

Day 364 and Memories

As we draw to a close, I found myself with lots of small scraps and with a clear idea on what type of texture and feel each bit of yarn was best. Not only that, I often had a clear memory of the original scarf. In the end I decided not to break apart the memory and the scrap but bring them together. I repeated some of the exact textures from the original scarves and I used one or two new textures as well.

I have to be honest: I didn't keep track of sizes, numbers or designs. I figured they were all a bunch of rectangles and one way or another, I would find a way to get the puzzle pieces to fit.

Day 363 and Protection

It's about stinkin' time it started getting cold around these parts! It's making me worry about global warming all over again. It makes me glad I've become adept at making neck protection. Yet, with all this neck protection, I often overlook the other parts of the head that need protecting. Oh sure, I've got a hood and a ninja mask and a couple of snug cowls that could double as headbands, but this time around, I made a cowl that could really stand up on its own. In fact, I begrudgingly added a pucker when I realized I probably couldn't see over the top of it. At least I'll be warm!

Day 362 and Stretch

Had another ball of this crazy colored yarn. I think that yarn with a lot of short color changes lends itself really well to novelty stitches. Anything where the yarn sits on top of the fabric heading either in a different direction or extending over more than one row really highlights the complexity of the yarn and makes what are usually very simple patterns seem complex as well.

This was an easy garter stitch scarf, but certain columns of stitches were slipped and elongated with a very fancy result.

Day 361 and the Popped Collar

Evenly spaced increases make this scarf fan out around the shoulder area allowing it to stand up straight and stay around the neck without tying or wrapping. This is particularly good for people who don't like a lot of bulk or tightness around the neck and yet still want full wind and cold protection.

Size L hook
Heavy worsted weight yarn
Tapestry needle

Chain 100.
Base row: SC into the second chain and the next 38 chains. 2 SC into the next chain. SC into the next 21 chains. 2 SC into the next chain. SC into the next 39 chains.
From here on, the pattern recipe relies on your ability to recognize the increase from the previous row. Take a moment to look at your stitches and identify the double V going into 1 stitch.
Row 1: Chain 3, turn. Work DC into the second and every following stitch to the increase from the previous row. Work DC into the first and 2 DC into the second of the two increase stitches. DC into the next 21 sts. Work 2 DC into the next stitch (this should line up with the first of the increase stitches from the previous row) DC into every stitch to the end.
Row 2: Chain 1, turn. Work SC into every stitch to the increase from the previous row. SC into the first and 2SC into the second stitch. SC into the next 21 sts. 2 SC into the next stitch (which should be the first part of the increase from the previous row). SC into every stitch to the end including the top of the turning chain.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the scarf is as wide as you'd like. I choose to make a stripe near the end for interest, but this could just as easily be done anywhere and on every row if you so chose.

Day 360 take 3 and Finally

After all of these days and all of these scarves and all of these experiments, I think I've finally come up with my absolute favorite go to scarf for last minute gift giving. It's unisex in design (though colors could sway it one way or the other. It's thick enough to be warm but not so thick that it's uncomfortable. It's incredibly easy and fast, but has just a little bit of interest, yet isn't so very interesting that someone with very conservative fashion sense would be turned off. It also can be as inexpensive or as lush as you choose depending on the yarn. I think this would be a winner for anyone.

I went with acrylic for mine. I like the easy care and the low price point. Wool would be excellent and cotton would work great too. I think I would probably avoid nylon/rayon shimmery things as I think there would be so much drape as to look limp and unappealing.

2 or more colors of worsted weight or aran weight yarn Choose something lofty for best effect.
Size L crochet hook
Tapestry needle

Base: Chain any number you want. Mine had 145 chains.
Working into only the back loop (not the back bump) DC into the 4th and every following chain.
Cut the yarn and pick up a new color.
First round: Make a slip knot and place it on the hook. Yarn over the hook, pull up a loop through any random stitch on the first color. Complete a DC as normal. DC into every stitch. *Now you make a corner by making 2 more DC into the final stitch, DC once around the post, DC 3 times into the underside of the same stitch. DC once into the underside of every following stitch.* Repeat from * Cut the yarn and use your needle to heal the single stitch seam.
Every following round: Make a slip knot with the next color and place it on the hook. Yarn over the hook, pull up a loop through any random stitch on the previous round. Complete a DC as normal. *DC into every stitch until the corner stitch. 3DC into the corner stitch.* Repeat from * Cut the yarn and use your needle to heal the single stitch seam.

Use completely different colors for every round if you wish. The base row will need about 28 yards. Each following round will use up about 50-55 yards. You can even do this with just one color. The pictured scarf is only 3 rounds and almost 4 inches wide coming in at just under 6 feet in length. Every round will increase both the width and the length by 2 rows.

You could also use this concept for a very nice throw blanket. Change the beginning chain to 30 and go to it. It will naturally take many more yards and many many more rounds, but you'll be able to follow the pattern recipe exactly as written.

Day 360 take 2 and Christmas!!

Yes, Christmas day. The day and indeed the season when it becomes okkay, nay, necessary to wear horrifying sweaters, silly hats, tacky jewelry and green and red together and in equal portions. I think nearly everyone has encountered this colorful weirdness that seems to only pop up during this time of year. I of course had some variegated Christmas colored yarn that had been languishing in my stash and now seems the best time to finally use it up.

Nothing too spectacular here.

1 skein worsted weight yarn in Christmas colors (held double throughout)
Scrap amount of white worsted weight yarn (held double throughout)
Size N (10 mm) hook
Blunt tapestry needle

Chain 101.
Begin with Xmas yarn:
Row 1: Single crochet into the second and every following chain.
Row 2: Chain 3, turn. Double crochet into the second and every following SC
Switch to White:
Row 3: Chain 4, turn, Treble crochet into the second and every following DC as well as the top of the turning chain.
Xmas colors again:
Row 4: Chain 3, turn. Double crochet into the second and every following TC as well as the top of the turning chain.
Row 5: Chain 1, turn. Single crochet into every DC as well as the top of the turning chain.

Weave in and cut all the hanging ends of yarn and wear proudly on Christmas and for much of the month of December.