Purchased in June 2005 in Bethany Beach, Delaware, the lonely little Zitron Unikat Wool sat for over a year… Somthing like this is not usually in my price range (it retails for $25 / hank) but it was our little vacation, and I had never seen this yarn before, and the colors wowed me, so I splurged. I bought this yarn because of the store sample. It was destined early on to be a short-row Multidirectional Diagnonal Scarf. I started it using this free pattern.
So far so good. I am not a big fan of short-rows – they are tedious to me – but they have such a great anglular look, and I think it was a good choice for this variegated yarn, as it will really highlight the dyeing and the rich color palette. This is a simple side project, and the Lace Knee Highs and the Sesame Cardigan remain my big focus for this month.
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Scarf knitting has always been my comfort. I wear scarves every single day in the winter – they are about fashion and function for me. I can try a new yarn, a new style, or experiment with different stitches. I still have a long list of scarves that I want to knit, as well as many lace and cable patterns I want to try. |
Of course, the list just got a little longer for the scarves…I can't believe it took me this long to pick up this book!
It was just one of those funny things where it slipped through the cracks – it has been on my wishlist since it came out, and it just kept getting pushed down. Glad I decided to finally purchase, because this is really a fabulous book. I already knew several of my favorites in it – the Scarf Style knitalong was quite popular last year and so many of the patterns show up on some of my regular reads – most recently the lovely Ene's Scarf on Terhi's blog, and the very handsome Forbes Forest on Brooklyn Tweed.
My favorites from the book:
1. Lady Eleanor, 2. Ene's Scarf, 3. Balloons, 4. Backyard Leaves, 5. Forbes Forest
I know that many of you have made these same patterns, so any tips of information you have would be greatly appreciated! 
And it just so happens that others are thinking along the same lines with the scarves and the fall focus… The International Scarf Exchange, in its third incarnation, is currently taking names! I joined up right away, and there is still time for you to do the same – see this post for the questionnaire and the sign-up information. Looks like a great time!
PS–We had a great weekend: lemonade stand, hike with the dogs, dinner with family, and some new boots! The thing that did me in, however, was the sunburned back and shoulders from my bike ride today! ouch!
Scarfstyle really is an incredible book. The international scarf exchange sounds like fun! I’ll have to take a peek.
Scarf Style is a really great book. Glad you’ve added it to your collection.
Love the scarf your working on the colors are gorgeous! Scarf Style is a great book. I’ve made a few scarves out of the book and there are some that I have yarn for that I just haven’t gotten around to yet. My favorite so far was the Lady Eleanor. I used Noro for and it was such a fun knit.
I’ve made Lady Eleanor and Backyard Leaves, and I love them both. My tip for Lady E is to learn to knit backwards (if you don’t already know how). It saves a *lot* of turning.
Scarf Style is a great book. I’ve only made one scarf from it so far – the striped chevron scarf – but there are many more on my to do list.
I love the book. I’ve made 2 chevron scarves for my girls and an Ene’s Scarf for myself. Lady Eleanor is on the list. Can’t wait to see what you make from the book. (I do agree that learning to knit backwards is a MUST for entrelac.)
I made backyard leaves and it was really fun! and I love the result. It was only my second charted/lace pattern, but things worked out just fine. I found I could do a repeat of the chart in about 20 minutes, which was VERY handy, a fun knitting snack in my day. The self-wrapping i-cord edging is just brilliant.
A girl in my KnitNite made Lady Eleanor and its fabby! and fun, but easy. She made it outta Noro and each square was its own color. I thought it was the nicest use of Noro I had EVER SEEN. Genius!
Woah. I never really thought of wearing a DIFFERENT scarf every day. I usually dress so boring. That gives me an exuse to keep knitting scarves. Sounds so obvious but I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.
Ouch. I hope the sunburn heals quickly. I have a thing for scarves too. I haven’t made anything from the Scarf Style yet but I will by the time winter sets in. I can’t wait to see which one you pick first.
I’ve only made Backyard Leaves from Scarf Style, but it was such a fun pattern. Sometimes I get impatient with scarf making, but the pattern kept me so interested I didn’t get impatient until the end!
see… now I’m gonna want that book and it will be all your fault!
Missed you tonight. Hope you aren’t too charred!
the book is great. i love it. i’ve made several scarves from that book and have yarn for others.
Thanks for the information on the scarf exchange. I just signed up. I really want to make that Backyard Leaves scarf, but each time I start w/ the chart, I get messed up. I’ve tried it about 6 times…I need a tutorial or something.
I love all of those, too. I haven’t made any of them yet, but I did do the Midwest Moonlight for my MIL last year. It’s an easy pattern that looks fabulous when finished.
Scarf Style is great and Lady Eleanor is fabulous. I made a scarf size version and just loved the pattern so much I’ve been designing other entrelac things. I would say that L E has the very best entrelac directions of all the stuff I’ve tried. You can learn to knit backwards if you watch carefully while you knit frontwards, but I found that turning wasn’t that big a deal. Happy knitting, Lolly! I’ll be making a neutrals post soon.
That’s beautiful yarn. I don’t have scarf style yet (I must be the only one left!). I’ve always admired the backyard leaves pattern.
i’m also going to plug “scarf style” and second the Midwest Moonlight scarf. I think they used a terrible yarn for it in the book. I made it for a dear friend last christmas out of knitpicks alpaca silk and it turned out beautiful. fun/easy pattern too!
I love Scarf Style, too–but I’m too chicken to try entrelac. Can’t wait for you to pave the way!
Hey girlie! I made that same scarf using the same yarn in a different colorway. Weeeee.
I seriously need to know where you got those boots and if the leg is wide enough for a fat calf. Please, please, please. I’ve been looking for a pair of boots like that for the longest time.
i went for a long bike ride on sunday, and got my sunburn … my arms and my lower back … a little half moon where my shirt rode up! guess it’s time to invest in sunscreen and one of those cycling tops?
There are a lot of great projects in Scarf Style- I made Blue Collar when I first got it and soon I will start Lady Eleanor.
I almost ended up with some of that Unikat this weekend. I also jsut realized that I haven’t knit a scarf this entire year! Another WIP!
I love Scarf Style – I have yet to make anything from it, but this fall/winter I hope to do a couple (balloons and maybe Forbes). The dogs look like they had a great time on the hike!!!
Ooh, I love that yarn, too! I splurged on some myself one time and it was so great to work with. There were lots of knots in mine, but they spliced together really nicely. Have fun with yours!
I have always liked making scarves as well. I have seen so many people talk about scarf style I might just have to pick one up for myself.
Amanda
I love that book too! There are so many patterns in it that I want to make.
The multidirectional scarf is a wonderful pattern. I have used it many many times. With all the different yarns out there, I never get tired of making it.
Your new boots are awesome!
The current scarf that your making looks very cute. I really like the colors. I just joined the Funky Scarf Swap so I’m in a scarf frame of mind too.
Sorry to hear about the sunburn. Ouch! The one i got while canoeing is finally healed.
all your scarves are lovely. I like ene’s!
git some aloevera! hope it feels better soon.
How awesome that you can wear scarves all the time in the winter! I wish I would have been a knitter when I lived in NY! When I go on vacation I try to find an LYS and search for a yarn that I can’t find at home and that is my souvenior! Then I can justify the cost and I get a nice little accessory out of it!
I love the colorway of your multidirectional diagnonal scarf! You are getting me in the mood for fall -yeah!
I love wearing scarves, but for some reason Im really lazy about knitting them. Scarves and hats. Scarf Style though has amazing patterns! I loved knitting backyard leaves
I love scarves. I’m planning on getting some luxury yarns and knitting a bunch as Christmas gifts this year.
Thanks for the tip on the book, I’m going to have to look that one up and order it.
You can’t go wrong with Scarf Style. I did the Turtleneck Shrug and was quite pleased.
I wonder what scarf I will come up with this winter?
BTW, I like the colorway. It’s gorgeous.
I’ve been drooling over Scarf Style for a LOOONG time. I haven’t knit scarves for a while…and it’s almost the season! I’m def gonna look into the International Scarf Exchange…
I haven’t picked up Scarf Style yet either – I keep meaning to – it would be a good idea for me to get a copy for Xmas gifts – I’m always looking for a good scarf pattern…
i can’t believe it’s nearly scarf season again soon…hard to imagine when it’s freakishly hot out). Thanks for reminding me of how much I love scarves and should make more.
What a fun post on the “mighty/lowly” scarf – it is indeed a wonderful thing to knit – so many patterns out there that you can be as simple or as difficult as you want. The ISE looks like a lot of fun. A couple of my Stitches Midwest purchases many end up as scarfs.
I love the multidirectional scarf. I keep looking at that backyard leaves pattern, too.
I love Scarf Style. I just finished the Turtleneck Shrug. HOpefully, when my weight loss journey has gone on a bit more, I’ll be more comfy waering it. I think Lady Eleanor is gorgeous, but I think it will be a while before I do one. I don’t quite understand the entrelac thing yet.
) Keep up the great work!
Congrats on another 2 lbs. I think your new toy is fascinating. (Although I prefer red to pink.
I love making scarves, too. Thanks for posting about the International Scarf Exchange. I’ve joined too and it’s my first ever knitting exchange. Love your blog, too!
Thanks for mentioning my Ene, Lolly! Your favourites are by the way exactly the same that mine.
Scarf Style is really a great book. When it first came out, I saw no reason to have it. I wasn’t too excited about it. As I saw more and moer people make different scarves from it, I really had to have it. It took me awhile and actually one of my knitting friends found it a used bookstore and gave it to me. Now I love that book. Ene’s scarf is one of my favorites as well as Lady Eleanor. Last winter I started a Fair Isle Jazz scarf and hope to complete that this fall. Balloons is another great one, also so is Midwest Moonlight.
I just saw this book on Knitpicks and I am totally ordering this book. What really made the deision for me is the Ene’s scarf. Thas is such a pretty scarf and almost everything in the book is beautiful. This is definitey a to buy book and I am going to look at the knitalongs as well.
I’m about to start Backyard Leaves any day now. I want to make Lady Eleanor…but shoot. That may be a while off. Too many projects in the queue right now…
Love ScarfStyle. I have made both Lady Eleanor and Ene’s.
Lady Eleanor is my absolute fave, such a versatile piece of clothing. I made it out of Manos. Learning to knit backwards is a definite must!
Oh I love Scarf Style too! There are so many that I want to make from there. My favourite is the Backyard Leaves, although I still haven’t finished mine…
I’ve had ScarfStyle for ages, but not knitted one single thing from it. Backyard Leaves is however on my to do list one day, but I’m on a yarn diet at the minute, alas will have to wait till I’ve knitted up some more of my stash.
A little blog pimping here, hope you don’t mind.. I recently posted my Multidirectional diagonal scarf here:
http://www.annarella.co.uk/projects/scarves/6/86/1/multidirectional_diagonal_scarf.htm
xxx