Scarf Pace Knitting

Many of you who have been reading my musings over the last several years (and hopefully even in the short run) know that knitting for me is, and has always been, about the process.  After Grumperina's confession last month that she is not a sweater knitter (not that she CAN'T knit a sweater, it's just that she doesn't enjoy THAT process) it was troubling to think that a knitter would/could look down on any other knitter for what they knit or don't knit. 

The process is different for everyone.  What one knitter loves, another can't tolerate…much like color.  While sweaters are an important part of my knitting world, they certainly aren't for everyone and, at times, knitting a sweater isn't all that enjoyable of a process for me, either.  That's why knitting is so wonderful...its wide variety of choices...variety of yarn (you can use any type of fiber), variety of color, variety of projects and variety of ways to knit.  The techniques are as varied as the knitters, the designs available, and there is always the chance one can 'unvent', as Elizabeth Zimmerman says, new patterns and ideas.  Knitting is one of the wonders of the world as you will never know everything...there is just too much, and it is all wonderful.

I've found that having a few different things on the needles, for different knitting moods, is a good way to keep the needles moving.  Like the past weekend of constant running from place to place, chatting with family, and then, crashing at the end of the day...there just wasn't much time for knitting.  It was a perfect time to enjoy simple and interesting  knitting, and lo, a scarf was born. Even with all the running around and lack of knitting time, the scarf about half finished.  I'm completely in love with this beautiful scarf knit of yarn I spun myself.

The yarn is soft, has a nice halo and, because of the barber-poling of the handspun, it is a lovely tweed effect to the knit fabric.  The design is easy and creates a reversible pattern that is perfect for a scarf.  I knit very few scarves, mostly because I have a big love of hand knit socks and shawls, but I am very much enjoying the process of knitting this scarf, and also, enjoying the vision of wrapping it around my neck to stay warm and cozy this winter.

It's all knitting, it's all good.

(Yarn is handspun a 2 ply BFL, colorway Tulip, from the Spunky Club. Pattern is Paula's The Corrugarter - no purling!.)

Comments

[Carole]

I think scarves are underrated as knitting projects. I love em!

[Laurie]

Very very nice! YOu are so good, using the handspun. That pattern is turning up here and there.

[Opal]

Lovely scarf. I do so love how versatile knitting can be. There are so many different flavors!

[Manise]

Love that scarf and how the stiping is playing out! That's my kind of scarf! You know where to send it when you're done ;-) Seriously it's beautiful.

[Kim]

It's beautiful! You keep throwing these pinks out there and I keep liking them....hmmm.! This yarn is just scrumptious!

[Paula]

Hey! You knit my pattern! And it looks wonderful. What a perfect use of your handspun. I love the colours. I hope your weather turns cooler soon so you can wear it.

[Kelly]

I think that's why knitting holds my interest so much. There's always somthing to learn or a new pattern to try. Love your scarf!

[DebbieB]

This must be 'Tulip' week - I started knitting my 'Tulip' into socks just last night! Your scarf is lovely.

[bellamoden]

That really is beautiful! Simple yet elegant.

[Kirsten]

Bravo! Well said. There is a time and a place for every type of knitting. I find that like you, I need a number of projects to suit my various moods.

Sometimes there is nothing like a scarf to showcase a particularly beautiful yarn or stitch pattern. Your handspun is perfect knit into that scarf.

[Bonne Marie]

Brava! So well said – and that yarn is scrumptious!

[Wool Winder]

No purling? That's for me. What a great pattern to show off your handspun.

[Marcia Cooke]

Scarves are nothing to sneer at....I've had some take me almost as long as a sweater! I realized how important they are as knitted objects when I saw the reactions of some of the recipients! Yours is lovely.

[Stitch-n-Snitch]

Pretty! :)

[Sherie]

Oh, Tulip looks wonderful in the scarf pattern! And I really like the pattern too. I've been looking for an attractive and easy scarf pattern for my charity knits, this looks just right. Thanks for the link.

[Chris]

Well said! And what an absolutely gorgeous scarf.

[Ann]

That's the second time this morning I've seen the Corrugator. Yours is lovely -- another fleece to finish garment. Wear it with pride!

[Danielle]

Thanks for posting a link to that pattern. Now I need to spin enough of one thing to make the scarf!

[Kathy]

That looks terrific. I agree with you that a range of projects is good and keeps you going and knitting -- my general (but not strict) rule is one/two per category (socks/scarf/sweater). Must start knitting with handspun.

[Birdsong]

I am glad that you are here to remind everyone that it is best not to mix knitting and being judgmental... I love the process, sometimes more than others, and love that I continue to learn. Your handspun looks beautiful knitted into a simple, throw-on scarf.

[Anne]

Nice! And a great use of your handspun too. :)

[marie in florida]

serendipity!

[Julie]

Love the scarf; great handspun! Thanks for the link to the pattern.

[Beth S.]

Oh, Tulip!... *swoon*

It's absolutely lovely.

[Tonia]

I think knitting is as unique as the individual.

That scarf is so pretty. It is going to be great for those cooler days.

[Cheryl S.]

The scarf is lovely (and I love that tweedy effect), but I don't want to think about cold weather yet!

[kathleen]

Lovely!! I didn't read that Grumperina post but it is a shame to think of anyone looking down on anyone over--well anything--but knitting. Judge not!!

[Heather Joins The Round]

Good point!

[monica]

I used to think that knitting socks were crazy but now I've knit lots and lots of socks. I used to think that lace knitting wasn't for me either. But now I'm hooked.

I love the colorway of your scarf!

[Vera]

Your scarf is lovely, and the handspun is just great.

We knit what we like to knit. I love socks. Others like sweaters, or bags, or baby things, or scarves.

It's all good.

[Wanda]

I don't even understand being getting upset about what other people choose to knit. Whatever you knit is fine with me. You in the everyone sense, not just you Margene.

Hmm, I will have to check out that pattern. Very nice and the colorway is very pretty.

[knitnana]

I love scarves...I love shawls, and socks. Sweaters, well? We'll see. You're right - it's process (if one is a process knitter). And it's all good.
(((Hugs)))

[Susan Pandorf]

To quote the late Lawrence Welk, "Wun-erful, wun-erful!"

Blessings!

[Lucia]

I just left this comment for Grumperina:

The difference between you and me is that you can, but you don't want to. I'm still not sure I can, and I hate that. One of these days, though, I will triumph over my sweaterphobia, and then I too will be able to wash my hands of sweaters. (Unless of course I decide I like making them. It could happen.)

I love your scarf! I was going to guess cartridge belt. I thought about all kinds of complicated patterns and ended up starting one in a very plain red yarn and a combination of 2x2 and 3x3 rib, and I'm finding it very soothing.

Knitters are human too, so we have to watch the temptation to look down on each other. Since I'm sweater-impaired, I can usually avoid knitting hubris, but there's a story or two I could tell you... and of course I've had the odd pin stuck in my big head in other areas of life as well.

[Kristi aka Fiber Fool]

Oooo, your handspan looks lovely growing into a scarf! All the great points you make about knitting I thank are part of the reason I'm still doing it. I tend to get bored if I'm not challenged move on to the next thing. But I seem to get challenge at times when I'm not even seeking it out, like this weekend, LOL!

[Sarah]

Thanks for sharing the link to that pattern. I think that might be just right for what I have wanted to knit for some people. Your yarn is wonderful.

[Lolly]

Your handspun looks amazing in that design, Margene. Totally beautiful. I enjoy reading your meditations and musings on the process. I am still trying to figure out exactly where I fall in the spectrum - I think I like knitting everything! does that count?

Best wishes~

[Teresa C]

You are such an inspiration to me! Can I be you when I grow up? :)

[Carol]

Beautiful yarn and scarf! What I like about being sort of new is knowing I have so much territory yet to cover!

[elizabeth]

I have a new resolve - to always have a sock, a scarf, and a sweater on the needles. I've been woefully lacking in the scarf section am rectifying that with a little cashmere...but that pattern is definitely going on my list! A reversible scarf is always great!

[Jan]

Margene, I love how your handspun is working up in that pattern -- nice and random and so, so handsome! I love the tweedy look to it!

[Norma]

Now, THAT is gorgeous.....and all the better because it's of your handspun. Just such a wonderful piece, Margene!!!!

[Kate/Massachusetts]

Margene, your scarf is lovely! I stumbled upon this one the other night...you might like it too! Scroll 3/4 of the way down to Rainy Day Scarf - the blog owner is the owner of Unique One in Camden, Maine:
http://yarndemon.typepad.com/demonic_progress/free_patterns/index.html

[Kate/Massachusetts]

Ugh! The link got weird...anyhow click on free patterns and then scroll down to the scarf

http://yarndemon.typepad.com/demonic_progress/free_patterns/index.html

[Nonnahs]

I couldn't agree with you more about knitting preferences. And nobody should look down on any other knitter for what they do or don't like to knit. Your handspun scarf is to die for, BTW! I love it!

[Kim]

Your Corrugarter is beautiful. I've been lusting after Norma's for a few days now. Cashmere. Mmmmmmm.

[Rachel]

So very true! and your scarf is as pretty as all your other creations and your yarn, a pleasure to the eyes.

[Erica]

How wonderful to be able to knit your own hand-spun!

Regarding the sweater/non-sweater debate, to each his own. Without differences of opinions, there wouldn't be horse races. (Mark Twain said something like that).

There are days I can only knit in straight lines and other days when lovely intricate intarsia or lace flows from my needles.

Enjoy yourself. Thanks for the wonderful blog. Some days this is the best thing that happens to me.

[minnie]

i knew i'd recognized that yarn, lol. i haven't done anythign with my tulip, yet. it's spun, but i've got a bunch of must-do projects i need to get off my needles first (to include a red scarf, lol)

[minnie]

btw, thanks for posting about this scarf. i blogged about it on the daily chum, and credited you with finding it.