Simply Lovely Corrugator

I love The Corrugator pattern. I have made three thus far (sorry, I have only taken pics of the most recent incarnation). It has all the elements I look for in a scarf: reversible, straight forward pattern, and wearable. Bonus features of this treat include its unisex appeal, the pattern is free to download, and the designer is a Canadian too! Serendipitously, I found out that Paula (a.k.a., the designer) is the sister-in-law of a wonderful coworker of mine!

Pattern: The Corrugator

Designer: Paula of Hired Hands

Source: Free PDF File at http://www.hiredhands.ca/

Yarn: Patons SWS (80 gm - 100 m), Medium weight (4)

Colour: Natural Earth x 2 (for the start and the finish); Natrual Wood (for the middle)

Content: 70% Wool, 30% Soy

Needle: 5.5 mm (US 9)

Tension: 17 stitches by 21 rows (10 cm x 10 cm)

My other scarves were also made using SWS. The colour combinations were:

• Natural Moss (middle), Natural Earth (ends) - My favourite so far. Since the colour variations in SWS can be quite variable, I made certain there was sufficient green in the Natural Earth (to match the Natural Moss).
• Natural Indigo (middle), Natural Denim (ends)

I highly remmend this scarf. It is a rapid knit. The result is beautiful and makes a wonderful gift.

Commuter Scarf Revisited

1. Noro Iro #63, 2. DGS Dark - Drying, 3. DGS Dark (1), 4. DGS - Noro Iro # 44 (1), 5. DGS - close up, 6. DGS x 2, 1 modified, 7. DGS Dark - Perspective, 8. DGS - Kochoran, 9. DGS Dark on Green, 10. DGS - Noro Iro #44 (2), 11. Diagonal Garter Scarf - roll, 12. DGS Modified, Noro Iro # 47, 13. DGS Dark - Roll, 14. DGS x 2, 15. DGS Dark (2), 16. DGS - Noro Iro #44 (3)

I created this mosaic using flickr toys. Here are pictures of most of my Commuter Scarves. I failed to take pictures of some of them before I sent them off as gifts.

This was my first ever self published pattern (pdf format), and I have been delighted to see other people's finished objects using this pattern. I have only used Noro yarn thus far but I have seen other beautiful scarves using other yarns. One that I plan to use myself is the self-striping Patons SWS yarn.

Other yarn examples that work well:

	Tweedle Dee by Moda Dea
	Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in Cognac
	Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn! Autumn Stripe

The pattern can be downloaded here.

Drop me a line if you decide to knit one (or two)!

Know any Basketball Players?

Fiber Trends Felted Clogs

This is a very popular pattern out in cyberspace. I love the look of felted (a.k.a., fulled) wool, and clogs / slippers are a perfect choice for fulling. So I purchased the pattern and attempted to use up some of my yarn stash (click here to see the original project). The yarn to be used is double stranded worsted weight wool. And as you will see, tension (gauge) really does matter! These clogs were to be size 8 men's! They turned out as a Men's 17D!

This is my first ever felting project. Prior to felting my partner had quite a laugh. Quite simply, the un-felted clogs were ginormous! I assured her that felting would shrink them down to size - although, silently I too worried about their size.

Initially I tried hand felting them in the bathtub. That didn't work well. Then I took them down to the coin washing machine in our building. After 3 rounds of agitation ($1.50 a go) I gave up. Yes, the clogs had felted, but they remained huge! I don't know anyone who wears size 17! (Does anyone know if these clogs could be further fulled?)

Here you can see, the finished clog measures 15 inches. I don't know what to do with them except try to sell them on Etsy. Do you know someone who could and would wear these clogs? I have listed them at $5.00 with $15.00 postage. This price is negotiable. Truthfully I would like the postage to be covered - this is not a money making venture.

Now for a lovely picture of how I would like my second attempt to look...

These lovely clogs are knit by Leanne of To Knit Is Divine.

Perfect for Fall

Interweave Knits Photo

Pattern: Montego Bay Scarf
Designer: Amy R. Singer (of Knitty.com, of course)
Magazine: Interweave Knits Summer 2007
Yarn: Yarn Handmaiden Sea Silk (70% silk, 30% Seacell; 440 yd [400 m]/100 g)
Colour: Periwinkle, 1 skein

Mine: Oasis (100% SOYSILK® 240yds / 100g ball)
Colour: Passion 059; 2 balls
Tension: 5 sts and 8 rows = 1" US 6 (4.0mm)
Care Instructions: Hand wash and lay flat to dry

I love the lovely sumptuous drape of this scarf. It is so simply feminine. The knitting goes very quickly - the most detail oriented portion of the scarf is the braided fringe. With this yarn I did not need nearly all of the fringe lengths suggested in the pattern. Too bad I didn't document how much I did use (sorry).

Here is a close up of the fringe. I think the braiding was worth the effort. This pattern is one that I will likely knit over and over again. I am so happy with the results.

Meet Red

Welcome the newest member of the Sock Monkey Family - Red. He's a handsome, cheery fellow dressed in a fisherperson's hat and sweater with knitted boots besides. As you can see, there is a kinship with my fondly remembered sock monkey (How do you like the loop ears?)

The sweater was knit in the round and I made my first steeks for the arm holes. Thank goodness for Elizabeth Zimmermann and her instructions! The turtle neck is smaller than sock body to give Red the appearance of an neck. The boots (a basic sock pattern) are stuffed and sewn on the legs. I didn't like the look of a footless monkey.

Here he is checking out the dust bunnies between the wall and the head of the bed. I love his tail. My first tail attempt was horrible! I followed the instructions that come with the Fox River Red Heel Socks. It was way too short and too thick. This version is using nearly the full length of the sock and only a quarter of the width. I wasn't too sure where to attach the tail. Now I think it looks best above the red bottom.