Malabrigo weave scarf

This one was a long time coming.


Some Malabrigo goodness for me. This sat in my office knitting basket for quite a long time, progressing slowly as I stole a few furtive stitches here and there during lunch break.

I became quite proficient at cabling without a cable needle on this one. The fuzziness of the Malabrigo means the stitches want to stay put, making the job a whole lot easier.



I took the pattern out of one of my stitch dictionaries. Here's what I did if you would like to knit your own. It's dead easy:


Malabrigo Weave Scarf

Yarn: 4-5 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted, seen here in Grey Pearl (I used 5 skeins, because I wanted an extra long scarf, but 4 would be more than enough for an average length scarf.)
Needles: 6 mm, or whatever size gives you a pleasing fabric. I'm not specifying gauge here, because it's not crucial.

Cables:
4CF: put next 2 stitches on cable needle, bring to front, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle
4CB: put next 2 stitches on cable needle, bring to back, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle

Instructions:
Cast-on 46 stitches (or a multiple of 4+2)

Row 1(RS): K2, *4CF (repeat * to end)
Row 2(WS): Purl to end
Row 3: *4CB (repeat * to last 2 sts), K2
Row 4: Purl to end

Keep going till you get the desired length. I didn't want to add a fringe, but that means that my edges curl a bit, which is ok, because I wear it looped around my neck with the edges tucked under (the giant cowl look). You might want to add a fringe, or start with a garter band to flatten the ends.



More info on the pattern can be found here on Ravelry. I'll try and write it up as a PDF over the Christmas holidays. Let me know if you end up making one. I'd love to see!

The silver lining

Thank you for your sweet messages. They were so comforting. No need to worry though, I'm recovering quite well from my accident. My knee is still sore, but getting better. Hopefully I'll be up and running soon.

The silver lining to all this commotion? Convalescence knitting!



Pattern: Konnichiwa, from the lovely Knitted Socks East and West, by Judy Sumner
Yarn: Rowan Magpie Aran (discontinued), 2 skeins in grey
Needles: 4.5 mm dpns
Mods: none


(Sorry I could only manage close-ups. With my bum knee, I couldn't steady myself enough to take a good overhead shot.)

Too thick for shoes, but perfect for keeping my feet nice and warm as I curl up on the sofa with a good book. Have a warm and toasty weekend!

So thankful!

As my American friends celebrate thanksgiving this weekend, I too have so much to be grateful for. You see, Friday night, I had a little accident. I was hit by a car while running. I was crossing a busy street at the crosswalk (I did have the right of way) and a turning car didn't see me and struck me. Miraculously, I have no serious injuries. My right knee is a bit busted up, and I have bruises and scrapes everywhere, but I'm so insanely happy to be in one piece.

The whole thing was so surreal. The sudden, intense blow to the body (I did not see it coming), the crowd of people, the sirens, the ambulance ride—it was so weird. Surprisingly, I was quite calm. My only worry was that my husband would be scared when he got the call from the police. Once he showed up at the hospital I felt better. It took a long time while they checked me out (x-rays, cat scans, tetanus shot, glueing my head back together—fun times!) but the final verdict was that I would come out of it alive and happy.

And friends, I am SO HAPPY! You can't even imagine! Happy that I'm here, happy to live in a country with universal health care (I can't imagine the medical bills I would have otherwise!) happy for all the lovely people that care about me, and happy that I can still knit (no damage to the hands, people!)

The paramedic told me I should buy a lottery ticket. What a lucky girl I am! My marathon training might have to wait, but I don't care. Walking with a cane is a blessing compared to the alternative.

So, let's spread some of this luck around. On to the Selvedge giveaway. The random number generator picked Cornflower as the lucky winner (visit her great blog and book club!) Congratulations! Please email me with your address and I'll send the magazine to you, as soon as I can hobble to the post office.

Happy thanksgiving everyone!

Seeing double

I got a little surprise in the mail recently:


A second issue of the latest Selvedge magazine. If you don't know this publication, it's an absolutely gorgeous fiber arts magazine from England.

When I contacted Selvedge to let them know, they told me there was a little glitch in my subscription, and that I could pass on the 2nd copy to a friend.

So... if you're interested, leave me a comment, and I'll choose someone at random next weekend.

Hope you're having a nice weekend. I'm tending to some woefully neglected household chores. But there's sure to be knitting somewhere in there too.

Bright Star

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art—
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature’s patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth’s human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors—
No—yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever—or else swoon to death.
John Keats


Bright Star is by far one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen.


I loved it so much, I saw it twice.


And I'm seriously tempted to see it again. The sets, the actors, the English countryside, the way the poetry is woven in so naturally... it all made me swoon.


One of the many things I loved about it was spying all the Sophie Digard creations the Brawne sisters wear.

And you mustn't miss this lovely website featuring Jane Campion's production scrapbook.

Finishing

This was the finishing weekend. I'm securing a steek with a crochet edge as we speak. This is a plain grey seamless hybrid cardigan for my very patient husband. I started it over a year ago. So close now.



In honour of Vestvember, I also finished my golden vest.



Pattern: Plain and Simple Pullover, by Rain Knitwear Designs.
Yarn: Fleece Artist Blue Face Leicester 2/8

I test knit this great little top for Veera. If you don't know her blog, you should. I love her pure, simple aesthetics.This easy pattern produces a pretty and highly wearable garment. It's knit in fingering weight, so it was rather slow going, but I love how light and comfortable it is.

Have a sweet week everyone!

And....

I'm back(ish).

So what have I been doing all this time?


Playing with some SERIOUSLY luscious yarn.

Pattern: Hiker's Waistcoat (free pattern here)
Yarn: Terra, by Fibre Company (40% baby alpaca, 40% merino wool, 20% silk), in Pokeberry
Raveled: here

The yarn exceeded my expectations. I've long admired the stunning colours and luxe hand of Terra, but worried about how "floppy" it was in the skein. But knit up, it has both body and drape. I've worn the vest several times with no sign of piling or wear. And it's so cushy and comforting. LOVE.


It was tough choosing a colour! In theory, I'm ambivalent about pink, but in practice, it looks really nice on me. And it's surprisingly versatile, pairing up beautifully with my mostly grey, black and blue wardrobe.


Ok, well, time to get off the laptop. I still need to restrict my computer time, so please forgive me if I don't post or visit you as often as I used to. Staying away from all your lovely blogs and Ravelry activities has been hard. But resting my eyes has meant that I can pick up my sticks and strings again. As much as I love my virtual knitting life, I value my REAL knitting life more. I'm sure you understand.