Blog

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

Curved Shoulder Scarf for Spring

Iris Rose

I know that I have been missing for the last couple of weeks, my apologies. Sometimes life just takes over and leaves little time for the fun stuff.

I have a free pattern on Ravelry that has been very popular and deserves another feature here for you. It is a very easy shoulder scarf that is perfect to keep the chill off when you are wearing your pretty sundress or tank top.

I have knit this up in worsted weight, both light and heavy, in a couple of colours and like each one. I rated this one as easy to make and it is actually a pretty quick knit as well. I think that it would look lovely in a soft and fuzzy yarn as well.

Change up the lace for a different look. There are a ton of antique lace patterns out there that could easily be substituted for the one I used.

This curved shoulder scarf is shaped with short rows and decreases and edged with old fashioned garter lace which is knit first. I used a diamond edging but any 12 row garter lace edging up to about 15 stitches wide could be substituted. Please note there are now two different garter edges at the top of the scarf; one is straight and the alternate curved to cover the ends of the lace.

Needles: 6.5mm (US 10.5), 80cm (32”) circular needle, two stitch markers.

Yarn: any worsted weight yarn. I have used DK to the heavy worsted pictured above.

Abbreviations:
K = knit P = purl

K2Tog = knit 2 stitches together

K3Tog = knit 3 stitches together

YO = yarn over

W&T = wrap and turn, turn work, slip the last unworked stitch onto the left hand needle, bring the yarn to front, slip the stitch back to the right needle and bring the yarn to the back, reverse front to back on purl rows.

Diamond Garter Lace Edging:
Cast on 9 stitches
R1: K3, (K2Tog, YO) x 2, K1, YO, K1
R2: (K1, P1) x 3, K4
R3: K2, (K2Tog, YO) x 2, K3, YO, K1
R4: K1, P1, K3, P1, K1, P1, K3
R5: K1, (K2Tog, YO) x 2, K5, YO, K1
R6: K1, P1, K5, P1, K1, P1, K2
R7: K3, (YO, K2Tog) x 2, K1, K2Tog, YO, K2Tog
R8: K1, P1, K3, P1, K1, P1, K3
R9: K4, YO, K2Tog, YO, K3Tog, YO, K2Tog
R10: (K1, P1) x 3, K4
R11: K5, YO, K3Tog, YO, K2Tog
R12: (K1, P1) x2, K5

Work 21 repeats of the edging, cast off with row 12 of final repeat and leave the last stitch on the needle.

Body of scarf:
Pick up and knit 125 stitches along top edge of diamond lace (126 stitches total including the one on your needle to start). If you pick up one stitch between each knot at edging row ends, you will have a smooth join. If you pick up in the knots, you will have a seam.

R1: Wrong side of work, purl all stitches.
R2: K1, (YO, K2Tog) to last stitch, K1.
R3: Purl all stitches, placing a marker after 42 and 84 stitches, dividing the work into 3 equal sections. This is where you will decrease to shape the shoulders.
R4: Knit to 1st marker, slip marker and work a left leaning decrease by slipping the two stitches after the marker knitwise, slipping them back to the left needle and knitting them together. Knit to 2 stitches before the next marker, knit these 2 stitches together for a right leaning decrease and slip marker. You will work every right side row this way until 22 stitches remain between the markers. Knit to 37 stitches after the last marker, wrap and turn (W&T).
R5: Purl across working 37 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R6: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 32 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R7: Purl across working 32 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R8: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 27 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R9: Purl across working 27 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R10: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 22 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R11: Purl across working 22 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R12: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 17 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R13: Purl across working 17 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R14: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 12 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R15: Purl across working 12 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R16: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 7 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R17: Purl across working 7 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R18: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 2 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R19: Purl across working 2 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R20: Knit to end picking up the wraps at W&T and decreasing at the markers.
R21: Purl across to end picking up the wraps at W&T. If you are going to knit the Alternate Edge, cut your yarn here, leaving all of your stitches on the needle and go to the Alternate Edge Instructions at the end of the pattern.
R22: Knit across, decreasing between the markers and removing the markers as you go. 106 stitches remain on your needle.
R23: Knit (wrong side).
R24: (K8, K2Tog) x 10, K6. (96 stitches remain)
R25-27: Knit.
Cast off loosely, weave in ends and block. I always give my knitting a good tug in all directions before blocking to even out the stitches, a throw back to when I learned to machine knit.

Alternate Edge: See note below
R22: With the right side of your scarf facing you, start at the bottom edge of the lace and pick up and knit 12 stitches along the side (9 on the lace and 3 on the body of the scarf). Continue knitting the stitches that are on your needle, decreasing between the markers and removing the markers as you work. Pick up and knit 12 stitches across the end of the scarf (3 on the body and 9 on the lace). (130 stitches)
R23: Knit all stitches.
R24: K19, K2 Tog, (K8, K2Tog) x 9, K19 (120 stitches).
R25-27: Knit.
Cast off loosely, weave in ends and block.
Note: If you are using a yarn without much stretch, you should increase 1 stitch on R24 between stitches 11 and 12 and in the same place at the other end to allow your edge to curve when blocked without pulling.

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

What To Write?

Iris Rose

Did you know that writer’s block is a real thing and I so have it right now? I am sitting here, at my desk, and letting ideas run through my head for a subject for today’s blog post.

Gah!!! My head might explode! I have been working like crazy at all of the projects that I have going (maybe that’s the problem?) and have absolutely nothing that I want to write about.  Normally I am very organized and ready before deadlines so I really don’t like feeling like this.

I have sort of finished these little baby bags but still need to figure out how to protect baby’s neck from the zipper pull. I think that a little flap might work; I am rolling that one around in the idea factory. I am writing the pattern up for hand or midgauge machine knit but still haven’t finished that either.

I really need to take myself aside and give myself a good talking to and set some goals and priorities. Does anyone else feel that winter is just too loosey-goosey a time for meeting deadlines?

Next week, I promise, ……. sort of.

Have a very happy week filled with kindness.

Baking

Ginger Chocolate Scones, Enjoy!

Iris Rose

It is time to share another of my favourite recipes, Ginger Chocolate Scones today, yummy! Put on the coffee or tea as soon as you take these lovelies out of the oven.

I love to have a bag of scones of some type or other in my freezer for those times when you need a little something with your afternoon break and veggies just won’t do it. The basic recipe for these can be changed up to make them fit your taste.  Remember to eat them the same day as you are baking them or freeze them to maintain that wonderful fresh scone flavour.  A quick minute in the oven will make them taste fresh again.

There is a little prep to be done before mixing of the dough so be prepared for that before you start.

Preheat the oven to 425F. Prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly. Normally you don’t need to grease the pan for scones but the chocolate can stick when melted.  You will also need a round cutter of a knife to cut the dough and a little extra flour for the cutting board or counter.

Ingredients:

4 c flour
¾ c sugar
2 Tbsp plus 1tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp powdered ginger
1 c butter softened, most scones ask for cold but I like to use soft butter for a speedy mix
3 eggs
1/3 c 10% cream or whole milk
1 c buttermilk
1tsp vanilla
¾ c candied ginger
1 ½ c chocolate chips or pieces, I used Ghiardelli and used the whole bag.

Before you start to measure and mix your dough, chop or snip the candied ginger into little pieces and set aside. Kitchen scissors are the easiest to use. This is the prep done that I warned you about before.

Measure out the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and the powdered ginger into a large mixing bowl. Stir a little to combine everything. Break up the butter and add to the bowl. With your hands, gently rub the butter into the dry stuff until it resembles coarse crumbs. It is important that you use a light hand here and don’t over mix or your scones will be heavy and a bit tough. When the butter is mixed in, prepare your wet ingredients.

In a medium bowl, beat the eggs a little, mix in the cream, buttermilk, and vanilla. Stir well to combine all of the egg into the milk.

Add the candied ginger and the chocolate to the dry/butter mix and stir gently to distribute. Make a well and pour in the wet ingredients. I like to use a table fork here and lift up the dry from the sides of the bowl toward the centre while I am turning the bowl. Just make sure that, as with the butter, you do not overmix the dough. Once you have as much liquid in with the fork as you can, use your hands and gently turn the dough over and over to mix in the remaining dry part. You might have a couple of Tbsp left in the bowl and that’s okay.

Turn the dough out onto a floured board or counter and pat it out to about ¾ inch thick. Cut the scones out with a round cutter and place them on a parchment paper covered baking sheet. You can pat the dough into a square and cut out squares or wedges with a knife if you prefer those shapes.

Put in the sheet pan into the middle of the oven and bake 15 to 20 minutes until they are golden on the top.

If ginger and/or chocolate (what’s wrong with you on the chocolate?) is not your thing, you can snip up some dates or other dried fruit and substitute. I love these made with fresh dates and also with dried apricots.  Fresh blueberries are yummy too!  Just make sure that you dry them after washing them before adding them to the dry mixture.

Have you got the coffee started? These are seriously and sinfully good for breakfast too!

I hope that you enjoy my recipe and have fun making these scones to share with friends and family. Have a happy week and stay warm for those of you in the northern part of the world.

Knitting

New Babies

Iris Rose

I was very flattered a couple of weeks ago when I was invited to participate in a spring craft sale being held by the Okotoks library as a fund raiser. This, of course, made me take stock of what I have on hand and immediately panic.

I didn’t really panic but I did take stock and decided that I need to increase my toy and sweater supply. I started in on toys first as they are my favourite make. I had knit six little babies and the same number of little rabbits while on vacation in December and had promptly put them in the later pile when I got home.

 

I worked last weekend and this week on finishing the babies and have started on the bunnies. I am quite happy with them and I think that that will fulfill my baby stock shortage. The bunnies are still a work in progress but, as long as I don’t procrastinate too much, I should have those finished up this weekend.

This brings me to my favourite toy designer, Pat Alinejad.  Known as Gypsycream, Pat is one of the most talented toy designers offering patterns today, in my opinion. Her patterns are very well written, with very detailed instructions on assembly of the finished pieces. She makes every step clear enough that a beginner is able to follow her designs to completion. Here is a link to her Ravelry store. I have made several of these designs and own even more. They are just so darn cute and great value.

I am currently working on a couple of dolls from her newest pattern, My First Cuddly, and hope to show you the finished baby in the next post.

I have still been tootling with my knitting machines and put together these little clothes for DGD2’s baby whose favourite colour is rainbow. Yes, I love her enough to sew in all of those ends, and even more than that.

Have a lovely week ahead. For those still stuck in the cold, the weather will get warmer, I promise. Kindness and happy thoughts to you all.

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

It’s Cold!

Iris Rose

In many parts of central and eastern North America it is very cold right now. Our turn here in Alberta is coming in the next couple of days. While we will not be experiencing the deep cold that has held our neighbor provinces to the east in its thrall, minus 25 celsius is cold enough for me thank you very much.

It will be good time to stay home and knit or crochet to increase your internal heat generated by your motions. That is my theory anyway and I am sticking to that logic.

It is also a great time to work on a blanket. Having all of that weight and yarn on your lap is so cozy and you can fool everyone around you into thinking that you are a superwoman or man in that you are not cold at all!

I have free pattern for a blanket in my Ravelry store that works up quickly and is nice and cuddly. I made the original in Bernat Blanket yarn, but it can easily made with any worsted weight held double. Try combing two colours for a really pretty speckled look. I am repeating the pattern here for you but, if you want to work from a pdf, click on the link above to take you to a free download.


The blanket, 115cm x 155cm (45” x 60”), is knit with garter stitch in the Shetland style with a centre rectangle and then subsequent rows worked around that. You will need 800 metres (885 yards) of bulky weight yarn. You can use Bernat Blanket as I did or any worsted weight yarn held double which will double the amount of yarn that you need of course.

You will need 10 or 12mm circular needles. Use one to start then two or a very long one as the size of the blanket grows. I used an interchangeable with a cable connector and used two 100 cm (40”) cables.

With a 10 or 12mm circular needle, cast on 18 stitches and knit 60 rows, bind off.

Pick up and knit 18 stitches across the short side of the rectangle, place a marker, 30 stitches along the long side, place a marker, then 18 stitches at the other short side, place a marker and finally another 30 stitches along the last long side, placing a final marker. (To garter stitch in the round, you will knit the first row and purl the next. These two rows will be worked throughout.) Purl the next row.

Increase in each corner on each knit row by making a stitch before the marker, slip the marker, knit one and make another stitch. Make a stitch by lifting the bar between two stitches onto the left needle and knit through the back loop.

I changed colours every 14 rows, then 18, 18 and 12 rows to make the stripes around the centre piece. You can alternate colours as often as you like or make it all in one colour. Just have fun with it!

Enjoy the pattern (great for TV knitting) and have a great (and warm) week ahead.