A Quick Scarf—Hand Painted

Here is my latest knitting project. Want to know how it came about? Well, last week, No. 1 and I ventured out in a torrential downpour to visit a yarn shop she likes. Neither of us was looking for anything in particular, but you don't need to walk into a yarn shop with a project in mind, do you? You just need to want to look at absolutely every ball and skein and flip through every pattern available. It could take hours, if you do it right.

We went our separate ways in the small but well-done shop, and decided I must have a project. I found a small book of patterns, all quick projects you could complete in a weekend of diligent knitting. We had planned on knitting for days anyway, so I knew this was the book for me. The problem was, I only liked one pattern, a lacy scarf that required less than 300 yards of a sport weight yarn. I chose a muted blue hand-painted yarn by Freia. Two balls of the 100% wool would be plenty for the scarf—$10.25 a piece. But still, what to do about spending $20 on a book I would use just once? No. 1 had the solution—the pattern was probably available at Ravelry, so I put the book back on the rack.

We each bought some yarn, grabbed our umbrellas and braved the soaking rain back to the car. Once safe and dry back home, I discovered the exact same lacy scarf pattern on line for just under $7. It's called Scroll Lace Scarf by Ysolda Teague.

So, to work. With size 9 circular needles, I went about knitting the scarf, learning a few new tricks along the way. I learned how to do a provisional cast on and was reminded of how to work in short rows. And I learned how to do cable cast ons in order to create an interesting bound edge. When No. 1 was available, I asked her for help, but when she wasn't, I found some great how-to tips on You Tube.

Because I was working with sport weight, and No. 1 was working with fingering weight, my project went much faster, and I actually finished it before leaving town to come back home. I blocked it here and now have a scarf I love. I wouldn't mind making this scarf again, but I have found another pattern at Cocoknits, which I'll make using a skein of handspun, handyed yarn I bought at another shop last week. I'll save that story for another day, though, once the project is complete.

Here is the finished scarf as it looks draped:

Note: No. 1 is my oldest daughter. I visited her in Berkeley, California last week.