stripes

 One of big trends I am noticing in 2011 is stripes and chevrons. I see it everywhere- clothing, home furnishing, curtains, rugs wallpapers and the list goes on and on.
Inspired by this graphic look I decided to create couple of projects for spring.
One of the projects is French Nautical Striped Scarf made with striking lace weight Misty Alpaca. I have to be honest here; the scarf took a long time to make, but after casting off and blocking I was rewarded with a beautifully draping, soft hipster scarf. What I liked about knitting this project was being able to knit while watching movies or during our busy Stitch & Bitch group. We all need a break from intense patterns once in a while. I found this scarf to be very mindless and relaxing as it is knit in simple stocking stitch and for some excitement changing colour every few rows.Here is the pattern:

Yarn: 2 balls each Misti Alpaca lace in #100 natural and #2105 red. Each ball is approximately 400m.
Needles: 2.75mm
Gauge: 8 sts and 12 rows/ 1 inch in stocking st.
Finished size: 26 x 60 inches.

CO 160 sts using natural colour and k 9 rows in garter stitch.
Setup row: k8, pm, p until 8sts remain on left hand needle, pm and k to end. Eight stitches at the beginning and end of row will create boarder that will help to prevent rolling of the edges.
Attach red yarn and let natural yarn chill for a while.
Note: every time you get back to the beginning of odd number row (knit row) twist chilling yarn (yarn you are not working with) once around working yarn, to carry the chilling yarn to the point where you want to switch colour.

*Row1,3,5: k
Row 2,4,6: k8, sm, p to next marker, sm, k8.*
Switch colour after 6 rows and repeat row 1-6. * Repeat till scarf is close to 58 inches long ending 6 rows using natural colour. Switch to red and knit 10 rows in garter stitch. Bind off using bigger needle or loosely.
Block scarf to 26 x 60 inches.

Voila!

Another project that kept me busy this spring is a rug I crochet for my bathroom (photo above). The rug is made from an inexpensive cotton blend fabric that I tore into strips to create “fabric yarn”. The knit café is offering a workshop in this fun technique on June 13th. You can create rug for any space in any colour your home desires. You can also reuse some old fabrics like bed sheets or T-shirts.
To register call 416-533-5648.

Also, here are a few other inspiring projects I found on Ravelry and the world wide interweb.1. Super Easy Baby Blanket
2. Little Coffee Beam Cardigan
3. Wurm Hat
4. Love Socks
5. Lydia Cardigan

Happy Knitting! Iwona