Scarves and More Scarves

I know it’s been a very long time since I’ve updated this blog with all the knitting I’ve done. In spite of not sharing, I have been quite busy knitting for the 2012 Special Olympics Scarf Project. I’ve completed seven scarves and have two more on the needles.

I’ll start back at the beginning. This is the first scarf I completed.

I used a pattern from the 2009 Scarf Project. It’s a simple knit 2, purl 2 done on size 10 needles. Since it was my first scarf, I opted not to change colors as often as the knitted pattern stated.

My second scarf was also based on a 2009 pattern. I’m afraid I wasn’t happy with how it was working, so I made a change and it caused the finished scarf to wrap in on itself more that it might have otherwise. I blocked it, but it still looks like a tube. I’ve learned a valuable lesson.

I didn’t get a photo of the completed scarf, but here it is when it was getting started, using size 9 needles.

I made it half red and half blue, the two colors required for the 2012 Project.

You may have seen my third scarf in a previous post, at least the beginnings of it. Again, I made the scarf half and half in color. This time I decided to add some fringe. That was partly because the scarf was done on size 8 needles and took quite a while to do. So, I could shorten the knitting time by adding 3” fringe. I found this pattern on Ravelry. I’m considering doing another from this pattern. I really liked doing it.

My fourth scarf hasn’t been posted here (nor have the succeeding ones). I think I discovered this pattern through Ravelry, but it came from the Bernat site. This one tried to curl some on me too, but not nearly as bad as my second scarf. I gave it a little steam and it wasn’t so bad. Again, I did it in half red and half blue.

This next one I made (number five) taught me some new things. The pattern (also found through Ravelry) called for an extra stitch on each end “for a selvage”. I’m not well versed in knitting and had to look up what to do with a selvage. I chose the “slip-stitch selvage” as described at Beyond the Basics. It made a very nice edging on the scarf.

This scarf was done on size 9 needles. I liked it so much that I did another one as you’ll see in a bit. I liked how the fringe came out on the previous scarf, so decided to do it again on this one, also done in half and half on the colors.

My sixth scarf is a repeat of the pattern used on my first scarf. Since that was was mostly blue with a little red, I decided to make this one mostly red with a little blue. I really like this pattern, too. It’s a simple knit 2, purl 2. It’s really scrunchy and soft. I hope the recipient likes it, too.

My seventh scarf is made from the same pattern as the fifth. This time I divided the scarf into five equal lengths of color. I could tell I was getting short on yarn, so had to be cautious as I went. I had more blue than red and this is the finished scarf.

When I started this project in May, I purchased four skeins each of the two colors. After completing these seven scarves, this is what was left of all that yarn.

I have since used the red to start my eighth scarf. Red Heart yarn was on sale at Michael’s where I found more blue. I used 40%-off coupons for two skeins of red at JoAnn Fabrics. Nothing like reduced prices to feed my habits!

Here is the start of my eighth scarf. I found this pattern on Ravelry as well.

I’m using size 10 needles (unlike the pattern) and cast on 26 stitches. It will be a half-and-half scarf. I got a little carried away with knitting it and didn’t stop to change colors. It took me a while to learn how to tell when the eyelet row came up, so I did a lot of counting at first. Now I can see when to do it and it’s going a lot faster.

I can’t ever seem to just do one at a time, so number nine is also on needles. I had found this basket weave pattern some time ago, and even started working it. But I didn’t like how it was going. I think I chose the wrong size needles  or something. So I ripped it out and did something else. Now I’m back to it, using size 9 needles and I added the slip-stitch selvage to it. It’s going very well, now, and the edges look great.

I haven’t completely decided on the color scheme yet. But I am planning to put tassels on it. I think it will help the bottom edges lay flatter. Plus it adds a little interest to the scarf.

I’m so glad that my sister gave me the inspiration to work on this project. It was a great way to pass the time this summer, not only while traveling, but also on those quiet afternoons when nothing else was more pressing. I’m enjoying it even more than I expected.

Thanks for stopping by. Happy crafting!