The Spindrift shawl was a free pattern download offered by designer Helen Stewart. I appreciate having something like this crescent shawl pattern to practice on. The pattern is fairly simple, but I did learn how to do a picot edge bind-off. You can read more about how I came to be knitting this shawl on my first post here.
The fingering yarn I chose to use was from Miss Babs, in one of the Wild Iris, Yummy-2ply colors named “Sorcerer”. It closely matches the colors in the designers image of the finished shawl, and I thought hers was lovely.
To go with Sorcerer, I chose a lavender color yarn from Mrs. Crosby called “Monkey Orchid”. I will use that color to finish the edge.
Shawl yarn from Miss Babs in fingering weight, and lavender DK by Mrs. Crosby
Notes on the Finished Shawl
I had to reference a video about making the picot edging. (Find it on my Day 2 blog post.)
I knew I would probably not have enough yarn because my skein was shorter than the recommended length. The lavender color was attached for the picot edging and once I got the hang of that bind-off, it went quickly.
Still left, the weaving in of ends, washing and blocking. I have never blocked anything, but I have the boards to do it with. My time is taken up with the MKAL I am working on (and am behind!). So this shawl will have to wait.
The Spindrift Shawl is finishedThe lavender picot edging
Finally I found the photos of this finished shawl. This was a very good beginner pattern with practice for yarn-overs and doing a picot edge. It’s a small shawl so it knits up fast. Download the Spindrift pattern when you sign up for the Curious Handmade workshop. See details here.
When I began knitting, cowls were of great interest to me. They are often called “infinity scarves” as they are usually knit on a circular needle, in the round, like a hat, but on longer needles. They can be small to fit over the head, with a single wrap, or long to wrap twice.
Long scarves were my preferred item when I was beginning to knit because they gave me lots of practice using the same stitches over and over. But scarves use up lots of yarn. A single wrap cowl does not.
The difference is that the cowl is knit using circular needles. It creates a long, wide loop and some people pull them up to cover their heads.
Some cowls are knit back and forth, like a regular scarf, then connected at the ends. This happens when the desired pattern, such as a cable, can’t be achieved by working in the round.
Free Cowl Patterns
At Purl Soho find a number of free cowl patterns (and some beautiful and unique yarn). Some are super easy like the Slip Stitch Summer Cowl, and Floats Cowl. Others require the use of cable needles and other more difficult stitches that require brainpower to complete (for me).
The Syncopated Cowl is lovely and is pretty in a chunky type of yarn. Purl Soho also has beautiful linen yarn, which is perfect for those of us living in warm climates.
Ravelry also has many free cowl patterns. See links to Ravelry designer patterns below.
Keramos (pictured below) is a double layer cowl knit in stranded colorwork and then enhanced with embroidery (if you want). This would not be a cowl for a beginner as you should be familiar with knitting colorwork, or Fair Isle. I do love that a softer yarn can be added inside as wool can sometimes feel scratchy.
Double Wrap Cowl
Honey Cowl (below) – I have made this one in autumn colors. It was easy, and came out thick and plush. Pelham Bay Cowl is very basic, doing stockinette stitch throughout. Or add some texture yourself once you get started! (You must register to download)
Wraps twice around the neck
These are harder to find for free, but there are a lot of pretty patterns to pay for.Search Pinterest, or other online places to find more free patterns (or purchase one).
Read Anatomy of a Cowl at the Knitter’s Review site for lots of cowl info.
I finished the first “clue” which is basically the beginning of the shawl pattern in the MKAL. I’m working with the yellow yarn, which show a different coloring all my photos. The second photo down is closest to the real color.
Assymetrical triangle shawl MKAL
I am proud of my self for getting through Clue 1 and finishing.
Now I have begun Clue 2 and it’s a different story.
My inexperience is beginning to show and slow me down. I’ve already made a bunch of mistakes, and asked a question in the forum. I’ll continue to knit, but I have a feeling my Clue 2 is not going to be so pretty.
I still consider this to be good experience for me. The only way to gain knitting experience is to knit! Stepping out of my comfort zone is needed to gain expertise. We learn from our mistakes.
The designer (Kirsten Kapur) of this shawl knit-along made it clear this was intended for experienced knitters. I can only blame myself if I am unable to finish. It has been fun, and I will continue until it’s obvious that my shawl will turn out a mess. Or, maybe I will be surprised and it won’t look so bad.
Clue #2 Started
After some trouble with the cdd (center double decrease) stitch, I began to move along on clue #2. Many fast knitters finished right away, but it will probably take me another week at least to get this part done. I have made bunches of mistakes, but I managed to get past them and move on.
The photo below is very close to the actual color of the yarn. It’s called “cumin” and is a Miss Babs yarn made of Merino wool and Tussah silk. In my head, I call the color “baby potty”, but I do like it. I have 2 more sections (40 rows each) before I finish this clue.
Into Clue #2 on the mystery shawl knit-along
In the meantime, I continue to finish up the Spindrift Shawl. That one is turning out nicely. I’m adding the lavender picot bind off.
Nearly There For Clue #3
I’m part way through the last repeat for Clue #3. This has been a long one, but after one complete run through, the knitting got easier.
Two things have helped me greatly while doing Clue 2:
Add stitch markers at each 10 stitch repeat.
And mark off the 10 count repeat on my pattern print out. I simply added a little dot at the place where the next 10 stitches began. By doing these two things the pattern is broken up enough for me to catch a mistake sooner.
Beginning my 3rd repeat on Clue #2
Thanks to the little freebies Miss Babs includes (cute stitch markers) I had them to use to mark my stitches.
And speaking of Miss Babs (one of my favorite yarn places to shop online), some of the knitters who have gone on to work Clue #3, which is available now, have been worried about running out of Color A yarn. Yesterday I read in the forum that the Miss Babs company has offered to send 20 extra yards of yarn to those who run out. In addition, if you need more yarn than that, they will give 20% off the purchase of an entire skein!
Miss Babs has beautiful yarn, gives away cool freebies with a purchase, and now is offering this! So many reasons to buy from them. I won’t know for a few days if I will run out of yarn, and hopefully not. My plan was to simply use another color, but I may ask for that 20 yards. I’d better get knitting.
I did run out of my Cumin yarn… see what happened next.
Pictures of my hat and scarf made using Malabrigo yarn in Rasta bulky “arco iris” color way.
I had been wanting to knit something using a bulky yarn. I came across the “Rasta” yarn somewhere and decided to jump in and buy it. What I would decide to make came later. Although I wasn’t too sure about the colors, I certainly love the feel of the Rasta bulky yarn by Malabrigo. I decided to knit a simple hat and scarf.
Bulky hat and scarf
Two balls of “Arco Iris” Malabrigo yarn, bulky
The hat and scarf in my photo was knit using only 2 skeins, but for a longer scarf, I suggest one more. The only issue I had with this yarn is the color. I received 2 skeins of the same color name, “Arco Iris”, and as you can see in my photo, the colors are quite different. One skein I liked, and the other was darker. I know this can happen with hand-dyed yarn. I used the “pretty skein” for the hat, and the darker one for the scarf, along with the hat yarn leftovers. Have faith, this color yarn looks better once it’s turned into an item and the soft, plush feel is a joy to work with. If you can shop locally and see the yarn, I suggest doing that. I have to order online.
How to Knit This Simple Hat
Yarn used: For the hat, I used less than one skein of Malabrigo’s Rasta yarn in “Arco Iris”.
For this hat I used size 13 – 16 inch circular needles and size 13 DPN’s. Cast on 48 + 1 , then slip the last stitch to the left needle and knit the first 2 stitches together to join in the round – make sure there is no twisting of stitches. This gives you a total of 48 on the needles. Or simply cast on 48 and go from there.
The pattern is simply knit one, purl one around to desired height, then do decreases at the top.
How to Decrease at Top of Hat
Knit around until hat measures about 7 inches – more or less for size needed.
Decrease rows: 1. *k1, p1 (twice), k2tog*, do that 8 times. 2. Knit around 3. *k3, k2tog* around 4. Knit around 5. *k2, k2tog* around 6. k2tog around Cut yarn long enough and pull through remaining loops and weave in to finish off.
Finished circumference approx. 19 inches, height is 9.5 inches.
It could have a pompom on top if you like that look.
Hat completed, with yarn left over. Use less than one full skein.
How to Make the Scarf
I used US size 9 straight needles. End measurements, 7 inches wide by 40 inches long – used all remaining yarn. I used one full skein, and the leftover ball from the hat. (See photo above.) This is a short scarf, so I suggest using 2 full skeins, or more, if you make it wider and want something longer.
Cast on using the Cable Cast on, which is like a basic cast on, but put the needle under both both strands of yarn. I have a page with videos of various cast-on methods, if you need help. Cast on 14, or any even number.
Repeats are between the *stars*.
K2, *p1, k1* to last 2 stitches, p2 Next row and all rows: With yarn in back, slip 1 purl wise to begin the row. Each row ends with a purl and begins with a slip purl wise . Doing this makes a neater edge. *K1b (knit one below), p1*, to the last stitch, p1.
Continue until the yarn runs out and bind off (before you run out, obviously!).
Be sure to hand wash any items made with this yarn.
Rasta yarn knits up into plush wearables.
I am now working on a similar (but longer) scarf in white Rasta yarn.
Washable Bulky Yarn
When I began knitting with the Rasta yarn I fell in love with the squishy feel and the color changes. Unfortunately this yarn must be hand-washed which can be tricky when the item is large – like a long scarf. The tough part is letting it dry. It must be laid out somewhere for a couple of days because of the bulkiness.
Knitting a white Rasta scarf
I finished the white scarf shown above (same pattern as the other scarf on this page) and gave it to my son’s girlfriend for Christmas, but I included a note that she had to hand-wash. I felt guilty about giving her something that would be a bit challenging to care for.
Between now and then I have found yarn that is similar to the Rasta but can be machine washed.
“Franca” by Manos del Uruguay is 100% superwash merino wool. I have a skein which I have not used yet, but I love Manos yarn. It is similar in look and feel of the Rasta by Malibrigo. You can find Franca yarn at Purl Soho in pretty colors, or search for a sale. I bought mine cheaper at Etsy but there were only 3 color choices.
“Fire” by Wool Addicts is a yarn that is new to me, but is now on the top of my list of favorite bulky yarns. I’m using it in dark gray to make the Winter Morning ear-warmer. It is a Superwash yarn made in Italy and it is so soft and lovely.
Once I use the yarns listed here and wash them, I will post an update.
Basics For Machine-Washing Hand-Knit Items
By machine-washed, I mean put into a zippered laundry bag made of mesh and tossed into the washing machine. Tossing an item in with the regular load of laundry could stretch it out. I suppose socks and hats might do okay, but personally I would always use a mesh bag. And most knits must still be dried flat. I’ve seen very few nice yarns that can safely go into the dryer.
Yarn is usually pretty dirty, and sometimes the color will bleed quite a lot in a first wash. This happened to me while washing the Fine Sand sweater. Usually Miss Bab’s yarn does not bleed color, but the “Tarte” I used certainly did. I was glad I hand-washed it the first time. So, I suggest either hand-washing the item the first time, or wash it separately in the machine, with wool-wash. Most people who know a lot about yarn suggest using a cleaner made especially for washing wool. I’m going to look into the best ways to wash hand-knits and write about it one day…!
New England's Narrow Road 