Winter of the Super-Scarf

It's cold. And I'm not listening to those "oh, but if its not windy" and "but if we lived in Chicago" and "the cold is refreshing" winter-optimist.  To them I say - I don't care about the wind, why would I go to Chicago in the winter (though I'm looking forward to being there this summer) and Rum Runner's are refreshing. It's cold.  I don't even go get the morning newspaper (yes, I still get a real paper newspaper) without hat and gloves.  Thus this has become the year of super long scarves.

The thing about super-scarves? They really don't take a lot of time to make. Probably less than some of my normal sized scarves. For the super-scarves you need really chunky yarn and a big hook.  Here's my two so far.

Black & White Floral Super Scarf

This black and white with flowers scarf (about 10 feet long) can be made in maybe two hours. It took me a bit longer than that while I played with a design, length, and the looseness of the stitch.  It's key to do the stitches a little loose so that the scarf flows and is soft.  Secret tip - the flowers are already attached to the yarn.

Multi-Green Super Scarf

My WIP at the moment is this multi-green scarf, it's about 8 feet long.  It's working up really quick when I can sit and do it.  Another episode or two of Empire and I should be done. (Which by the way is a hard show to stitch through because you've got to stop and check out Cookie's dress, sing along with Jamal...)

Want to make your own? Here's a few tips.

How long to make our super scarf? Stand up, reach your arm up high. Your stretched out height - that long.

How wide to make your super scarf? Because its so incredibly long, it doesn't have to be that wide, I would say less than or really close to a foot.  Unless you want to go with the Lenny Kravitz crazy-super-scarf, which I think looks so fantastically fun!

Lenny Kravitz & his crazy super-high scarf!

What yarn to use? Obviously, something chunky. But something soft. This thing will be right on your face and neck and shoulders.  And I don't think you can always tell by feeling the yarn in the skein, you might have to stitch a test swatch and check it out, rub it on your arm or against your cheek.  The gauge and looseness of the stitches will also make a difference.

What stitch? Both of these were done in crochet.  The black and white in single crochet; the green in half-doubles, doubles, and singles. But really - whatever you think best shows of your yarn. It doesn't have to be complicated.  As for knit - I only know how to knit, so I would have to go with that.

What color? You could go conservative with a match-your-coat color or go wild! It'll be a cold cold day when you wear it, so maybe a color that folks can find you in a blizzard. I'm thinking a bright bright pink or red for my next one.

Have fun! 

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Currently...Getting Ready to Party into Spring

March 30 - Can you believe there was wind, rain, hail, and snow yesterday?  The sun looks like it's peeking out today - please stay!  Starting out this sunny week, here's what I'm up to.

Eating... what is destined to become my new favorite omelet, but hardly will be served at the local diner. The site Food52 asks for readers to try and review recipes, breakfast choices were up this go 'round. One of them, a definite "gotta try it" was Kimchi Frittata with Sriracha Drizzle. But let me first say, I could/sometimes do eat kimchi, the fermented cabbage considered to be Korea's "national dish," at every meal every day. And sriracha, well, that's just the firey cherry on top, right? I didn't bother making it over the weekend since my family does not share in the idea that kimchi can be a breakfast food; though, perhaps my son would but he doesn't like omelet/frittata style eggs. Since I get to enjoy it all by myself, I only made half the recipe. The frittata is a simple mix of kimchi (I used Mat kimchi, the Chinese cabbage version that most people think of when they think of kimchi), scallions, soy sauce and eggs, with sriracha and rice vinegar. It reminds me of the steamed eggs my mother used to make when we were kids.  I'm eating it, all by myself, with a bowl of rice (what else?)

  

Plotting murder.  With the help of Shot in the Dark Mysteries, I'll be hosting a murder mystery dinner for a dozen of my friends. They offer a variety of themes, for any number of party-goers, male/female or co-ed. I considered a party with couples, but thought perhaps the spouses may get a little nervous, realizing how sinister and plotting their loved one could be, so I'm keeping it all women.  Keep up with me on Twitter for more on "Murder in the Winery" tomorrow.

 

Reading Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. I admit, I don't know what's going on in this book.  You may know already, if you've read my bookposts before, that I rarely read the back cover. I really do choose a book by it's (front) cover.  And this one glows in the dark, as I surprisingly found out one night on my way to bed.  There is, as the title suggests, a 24-hour bookstore, that doesn't really sell too many books. Instead, the "members" come by at odd hours of the night to exchange books, like a library, but the books are written in some kind of weird code. I'm following along with the bookstore's newest employee Clay Jannon trying to figure out what these members are figuring out. 

 

Purging winter clothes in the kids' closets and drawers. This winter has been so long that they've all grown out of their clothes. Coat sleeves are up their arms, jeans are skimming their ankles, and buttons are stretched tight on their shirts. Time to get rid of winter gear. Hopefully spring will indeed cooperate with my housekeeping.  As I outlined in a previous closet-cleaning post, I've got my piles line up - donate/give away, pass on to a sibling, throw out, recycle.  The task can be overwhelming, so I'll set a timer - an album on the iPod will keep me motivated, happy, and within a time limit.

 

And to welcome in the warmer days of spring, I am stitching a new pink and green shawl/scarf! I started and made good progress this weekend thanks to a rainy day basketball tournament.

 

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Spring Stitches

This winter warranted plenty of sweaters and scarves and hats. If you like bundling up, this was a dream season.  I like making hats and scarves, probably have enough for a new combo every wintery day. But, now I'm ready for spring-ier, warmer weather. I was excited to see the spring issue of Interweave Crochet in the mailbox as some sure harbinger of the passing of winter. If I crochet with lighter yarn, the appropriate weather will follow. Something like that.

I've kinda become a scarf addict, from both a crafter and fashion viewpoint.  Scarves now seem popular and acceptable all year round, at different weights, no longer thick and heavy,  stuck only in the cold weather pile.  Folks are wearing scarves all year long in bright colors, lighter yarns and fabrics, flowy styles. It's the perfect crocheter and knitter go-to project.  Especially for someone like me who usually carries a project in my purse or tote bag, whether going to sit in the bleachers at a kid's sports activity or take a seat in a meeting room.

I found this pattern for the "Ennis Shawl" last year (in the Summer 2013 Interweave.)  With tall Tunisian stitches and chain stitches, I liked this pattern because it was (1) easy to do; (2) easy to memorize; (3) do-able with yarn in my stash.  I've had a few skeins of Twinkle Handknits "Cruise" in off-white and a light green and been playing around with it for the perfect piece.  The silk/cotton blend is soft, cool, and light - perfect for a nice spring scarf.  The pattern is designed for a full shawl, but can be scaled down to a scarf; this took only 2 skeins.

 

For my next project, I've pulled out a few mohair blend options. I'm feeling drawn to something fluffy, maybe because it's still a bit chilly. I like this shawl, combining a mohair and a straight yarn for a unique look.  If I get something worked up soon, I'll have time to wear them before it gets really warm. 

Note: I've not been compensated by Interweave Crochet for this post or using their pattern, but I do like their magazine!

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WIP - Chunky Scarf in Bright Pink

I've had a little scarf envy over the bug chunky scarves everyone's got wrapped around their necks all over town. Lucky for me, I just happened to have a couple skeins of chunky yarn - in bright pink and shades of green, at that - and a nice snowy day.   So I set the kids up with their math workbooks and some reading to fill the time of their no-school snow day and grabbed a hook (10 mm for those checking). Another cup of coffee and I could be ready to be bundled up in pink by the time I take the kids to the bus stop.