I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I have another pattern posted on Patternfish. . .now available in downloadable .pdf format!
This is my treehugger neck cuff or cowl or neck warmer, whatever you want to call it. If you like a bit of a challenge try this pattern
It is warm and toasty! Great for wearing in a chilly indoor environment, there are no scarf ends to get in your way!
Last year while at Shepherd’s Harvest I bought some hand spun angora from Cozy Rabbit Farm. I love this stuff! It is super soft, a dream to knit, and super warm.
This scarf took 1.5 oz of this yummy angora. The scarf measure 38″ x 3 1/2″ and is so light and airy! I wrap it around my neck and it keeps me comfy all evening while knitting! The pattern is a very simple rib on size 7 needes: Row 1-knit, Row 2-k1,p1. Repeat.
I can’t wait to order more of this yarn!
I also knit this scarf with “novelty sheep yarn” from the same Cozy Rabbit Farms. It is also hand knit and hand dyed. This scarf used 200 yards of 2 ply.
I modified the lace pattern for this scarf from one I found in Mary Thomas’s Book of Knitting Patterns. She calls this pattern “horseshoe imprint” and it is found on page 175 in her book. She has the repeat occuring over 10 (+1) stitches. I made it 12 stitches wide instead, adding a stitch to each side. On the sides of the scarf is running a “faggot” lace stitch over 4 stitches.
I’m proud to present my “Tree hugger neck cuff”
I have been having some great fun with this one! I’m happy I finished it before it got so hot!! I actually had a camping opportunity to wear it and it kept me cozy all night. . . . and I looked good:)
This pattern is now available on my Etsy site And I will put it for sale on Ravelry too!
This pattern is not for the weak of heart. Use a provisional cast on and work back and forth. The stitch count changes on every row. Whew, it took me a while to memorize this pattern. The pattern is both charted and written out. The scarf consists of three parts, each of which are written in a different color in the pattern for easy reference.
The blue scarf is knit using Kimmet Croft Fiber’s Fairy hare–a wool angora blend that I just love. Though for this pattern the silk/wool blend from Rovings, Inc. has better stitch definition.
I love how the leaves on the bottom have a scallop edge that sits so pretty.
The first scarf took a while but the second one (blue one) I was able to knit fairly fast. The stitch count changes every row, and it is included in the pattern so it is easy to double check your work.
I had a great time knitting these gifts!
The fingerless glove pattern I found on line. It was a joy to knit, especially since I could finish one in a night.
The blog that contains this pattern is in German but if you scroll down she has also provided it in English.
The yarn is a sock weight from Fairy Hare fibers. . . a blend of Angora and Merino. I love the saturated color too.
The cowl I made up myself. I started at the head end and worked down. I worked short rows over the back of the head to avoid bulk under the chin. Then I did a few rows of ribbing at the neck to pull it in a bit. The bottom is a simple lace pattern with increases worked in. I wanted a lace pattern that would scallop the edge but when I started I wasn’t home with my pattern books, so I guessed at a lace pattern that might work. It didn’t scallop like I wanted, but looks nice none-the-less. I added about 5 rows of garter stitch on the shoulder edge so it wouldn’t roll. It turned out okay and I have a general idea of what I would do different next time. The important thing is that the recipient loves them and has worn them both!! (Even though the cowl makes her look a bit like the flying nun.)
What did Santa bring me? With a small dent in my checkbook, my knitting library has expanded!!
I got “Handknitting with Meg Swansen” from Schoolhouse Press. This is a cool little book. It has a pattern for gloves in which the fingers are knit like an I-cord. Then stitches are picked up along the “float” to open up the tube to fit your fingers. I can’t wait to try this!
Book #2 “Poems of Color, Knitting in the Bohus Tradition” by Wendy Keele. Over the holidays I fell in love with Bohus Knitting. While rooting around on Ravelry I found a few site links to some Great pictures of Bohus sweaters that took my breath away. Had to know more about it and this seems to be the definitive book about this Swedish Tradition.
Book #3 “KNitting in the Old Way, Designs & Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters” by Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts and Deborah Robson. I’ve started reading this one too. Lots of good general information about sweater construction. Seems I can never get enough of this kind of information. One of these days the info will actually stay in my head.:)
Book #4 “the Art of KNitting, Inspirational stitches, textures and surfaces” by Francoise Tellier-Loumagne. I”ve wanted this book forever. A gift certificate to Borders, a trip to the knitting section where I saw this book and snatched it right up!! It is full of color photos of landscapes and knitting and stitches. I saw this book 5 years ago when I took a class with Prudence Mapstone. She had one and I’ve wanted one ever since. This is a truly inspirational book. It was only yesterday that I saw past the pictures and realized there is text in the book too. Now I wish I had a week off to read!