'I would like a scarf that is made as a cirkel. Can you make one for me?' A friend had seen somebody wearing something that she definitely wanted. She appreciates well done needlework, interesting designs and to have something that 'nobody else has'. I took a look in some of my knitting books and I found a design that my friend liked very much. Then we chose yarn from my stash. It's a Classic Elite Yarns design from the pattern book 'Alpaca Stories', Silky Alpaca Lace Tube Scarf.
The tube scarf is made of two 'simple' scarfs that is sewn together to a tube and then the ends are sewn together to a cirkel. It's very easy to design your own scarf in other lace patterns, knitting techniques, colours and gauges. Just knit swatches and block them to get the gauge right for both parts.
The yarn used in this design is a alpaca/silk blend and a merino/silk blend from Hjertegarn. Both yarns have a beautiful lustre that makes the snood look elegant. I continue the finishing!
I saw it in the shopwindow. I passed many times and I looked at it every time, the sweater with the star. It said: '' Take me home! Wear me! Be the star in your life! Shine!''
We are quite a lot now, people shining in this wonderful cosy sweater in lambswool and angora.
To knit something as a gift is a real joy! To figure out what the person would like and then to plan the creation. Maybe you find a pattern that suits perfectly or you create your own design.
This scarf is inspired from several patterns. The design is simple and easy to make and also very easy to change. It is knitted in a warm and soft merino yarn. The yarn used in this design, Jaeger Extra Fine Merino (50g, 125m, needles 4mm), is discontinued. But I wanted to use it as I find the colour very handsome and masculine.
There are a lot of merino yarns on the market. Zara from Filatura di Crosa or Mérinos from Anny Blatt are very good choices.
Row 5 and 13: Sl 1 pwise, k3, p2, k3, p2, slip next 2 sts to cable ndl and hold in back, k2, knit 2 sts from cable ndl, p2, k4, p2, k4, p3, slip next 3 sts to cable ndl and hold in back, k3, knit 3 sts from cable ndl, p3, k4, p2, k4, p2, k3.
Row 9: S 1 pwise, k3, p2, k3, p2, slip next 2 sts to cable ndl and hold in back, k2, k2 sts from cable ndl, p2, k4, p2, k4, p3, k6, p3, k4, p2, k4, p2, k3.
Once through the pattern it's easy to follow. You knit p sts on p sts and k sts on k sts and keep track of the rows to place the cable on the right row. Knit until out of yarn, the scarf measures approx 140cm (55''). Bind off on row 3.
Fragrances are a luxury that is easy to indulge oneself in. For those who feel that perfumes plays a fairly important part in their life, the process to choose the fragrance for the day, is something to respect. Scents affects our senses and therefore our feelings. I have to admit that my perfume collection is quite big. I have fragrances for every season and every occasion. I always keep the original box so when not in use, the fragrance goes back into it's box and in a drawer. To choose the fragrance for the day gives me a pleasant feeling. Both when I look at the bottle and I see the colours and the shape, as when I smell the perfume.
The scent opens with a little bitter almond and citrus note to get into an intense sweetness of jasmine and heliotrope. It smells like a pastry made with marzipan and sweet fruit. It smoothes down to a warm, sweet and powdery vanilla scent that stays for hours. On my skin about 10 hours! Heliotrope by ETROis for a woman who wants to feel sensual!
I buy quite a lot of books on the web, mostly from Amazon. There are so many books about knitting and design that I just want. I found this little book of Erika Knight, a well-known British knitting designer, on Amazon.
The book contains quotes and texts of authors and designers but also practical advice about knitting. For most knitters this advice is maybe obvious, but a little reminder can only do good!
Always knit in adequate light. It is much easier to work in either bright daylight or good task lighting.
Cast on your stitches with a size larger needle than the pattern states to ensure that the first row is not too tight.
The book is a little gem to have on hand both when the knitting flows or if it's sometimes goes a little less good. The words are inspiring and keeps you in good spirits!
For some months now I've been thinking about sharing my love of knitting with others. Living in a small town with not so many eager knitting acquaintances, I realised that this is the way! I felt that I wanted to do it with a glamourous touch. I want to show the elegance and the glamour in knitting. It's a luxury feeling wearing your own handmade garments and accessories. And a lot can be made with a simple design and in an easy way, if you want to. Luxury simplicity rules in my world! But there can be exceptions of course... I think there are so many wonderful designers out there so very often I knit designs that I've found in books, magazines or on the web. But sometimes it's fun to develope your designer skills and create something own.
I love to watch beautiful things like clothes, jewelry, bags, books and much more. Dreaming without feeling that I always have to own them. Just to see a special colour, a shape or a pattern or smelling a nice perfume, makes me happy. Of course, the beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. I'm going to show you things that inspires me and things that I have or want to have or want to make. Simply.
Here, where I live, the winter arrived late this year. But now can I finally wear my new scarf! It is knitted in Rowan RYC Alpaca Soft (50% alpaca, 50% cotton, needles 6mm). It's a wonderful chunky yarn which, unfortunately, is discontinued. I found it on ebay after having bought the Rowan Classic, book 23, 'am to pm'. I like the structure of the yarn and several designs in the book. I love this scarf!
