::Knitting:: Reader Request - Balmain Scarf

I got a lovely email this morning from Sue in Western Australia wanting the pattern for the ruffled Balmain Scarf I showed you in my last post. It was from the Better Homes and Gardens Bumper Knitting Book.

Sooo much ruffle!

The trick to the Balmain Scarf is the yarn-Katia's Park Avenue. There's not much to the pattern however I'll give you a couple of details.

• Measurement: Length about 160cm
• Supplies: Katia Park Avenue (75g): 1 Ball (for the version in the book they used colour 106); 7mm knitting needles; wool needle; 40cm waste yarn or sewing thread in same colour as yarn. 
• Tension: Correct tension is not required for this piece.

In the book they start off by saying,
   Undo skein and retie the knotted ends neatly.

I found the cast on and the instructions a bit confusing. So I found some videos instead :)

Firstly there is the one from Better Homes and Gardens here.

And then I thought what better place to look for resources on how to knit with Katia yarn than the Katia website. Katia have a fantastic pair of videos that show you how to knit AND crochet with their yarn. They also have a handy PDF with illustrated written instructions too.

There's also a vids on YouTube. This one is from Halcyon Yarn.


So that's the middle bit covered off in video form. You knit this way until you reach the end of the ball.

In the book it says to do the following to finish,
Cast off as foll: Sl 2 sts from LH needle * to RH needle, then pass outside st over inside st.* Sl rem st from LH needs and re from * to *. Using wast yarn or thread, overstitch last st to WS of scarf end. Neaten edges of other scarf end by folding and sew in a similar manner. Shake out the work to get the full effect of the ruffles.

And there you have it. I hope this helps you Sue, and anyone else who wants to knit the scarf.

Until next time, I hope you have something lovely to knit or crochet,
Vanessa xo

::Knitting:: Knitting Patterns Book Gift

In knitting news (well this news is a bit old, but I'll share it anyway) My friend D's really nice mum gave me a knitting pattern book insert from a magazine she bought. What a thoughtful lady!

Better Homes and Gardens Bumper Knitting Book

Here are some of my favourite patterns from the book.

This great looped scarf in fantastic moss stitch. It would be a great practice piece to get my moss stitch into gear. Although maybe a double moss stitch will drive me less insane :)

Mmmosss Ssstitchhh

This blanket cape would be fantastic for keeping warm on the couch, or even while out and about. It would probably take me forever to finish, but it would be sooo worth it. But if I'm going to be looking at making another blanket-esk thing I should really look at finishing this puppy off first!

Blanket Cape or if you prefer Blankape :)

These awesome scarves. The left and centre scarves are knit longways and the one on the right is a lace pattern. I might try that one. I've never knitted lace before.

Scarves are such great gift ideas.

This totally digable beret. I would probably make this in some really soft baby wool or something. I made a crocheted beret out of wool ages ago (you can see it here) and rarely wear it because it makes my forehead itchy :'(

Gotta keep the old noggin warm!

Then there was this scarf....

Whaaa!

It's made from Katia's Park Avenue Yarn. There are are few interesting videos on the internets about how to use this yarn. This stuff seams pretty simple to knit, but it soooper ruffly. I'm not sure of how I would wear it if I made one. I think this yarn might be a bit of a 'trend' like 'Fluffy' yarn. Do you remember that?

That's enough crazy yarn lady ramblings for now :)

Until next time I hope you are participating in something creative that brings you comfort,
V xo

My First Knitted Neck Scarf

Hey there!

Somewhere in my travels on the interwebs I stumbled upon this knitting pattern on Martha Stewart's website and posted it on my Tumblr.
I later, after I had started knitting it, found that Purl Soho had done a very similar scarf BEFORE Martha which I posted on my Tumblr here.

I've made it following the Martha instructions and I really like it. Quick easy and a little bit fancy. I think I want to make more. I might try the Purl Soho instructions and see if I get a different result.

My First Knitted Neck Scarf

What do you think?
Ravelled here.

Fondle some yarn if it makes you smile
V xo