AuburnChick's Adventures

I haven’t talked much about knitting lately.  That’s because I’ve been working on some projects and wanted to wait until they were completed to blog about them.

First of all, an explanation as to the title.  Have you ever left a gift at someone’s door, rang the doorbell, and run?  Well, perhaps your gift wasn’t so nice, and that’s the reason you ran.  We have a Halloween tradition in our neighborhood where you leave candy at a door, ring the doorbell, and run…surprising those inside.  That’s what I felt like this week.

I finally finished the Leaf Lace Scarf that I started way back in July.  Here’s the link for the free pattern.

Leaf Lace Scarf

The pattern really is easy.  The only reason why it took me so long is because I got sidetracked a few times with other projects, putting it down completely during the Olympics.

This project has a story…but of course you know that because everything AuburnChick does includes a story…

First of all, the pattern was sent to me by my Christmas KH Swap partner, who had also sent me some kettle-dyed yarn.  I had a horrendous time getting the scarf to look right because the yarn was just too thin, even though it was lace weight.  So I set it aside for about six months.  During that time, a different KH knitter found out that I had never touched Malabrigo…never even seen it in real life.  She generously sent me three skeins….two blue worsted weighted and one lace weight “Lettuce.”  You see, we had discovered that we were both working on the same scarf, although she was having much more success using the Malabrigo.  She surprised me with the skein I needed for this project.

That said, I finally got up the courage to try the pattern again…with the new yarn.  What a dream!  Malabrigo is all it’s talked up to be.  It slides through your fingers so smoothly that you hardly know it’s there.  As your project grows, you quickly discover its warmth.

Shortly after I cast on, my friend Christina (aka Rabbitrescuer on Ravelry and KH) had to rush her son, Austin, to the hospital.  He received 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 68% of his body and is currently receiving care at a Shriner’s Hospital.  You’ve heard me mention her before, but she’s important to this story.

I’ve been the liaison between her and the online community.  As a result, I’ve been blessed to become friends with her in real life.  I talk to her on the phone three or four days a week.  She is such a sweet gal…very soft spoken and incredibly generous.  We’ve had a lot of fun discussing our passion for yarns and projects.  If you’re on Ravelry, look her up and check out her stash.  Make sure you’re sitting down first, though, or else you’ll pass out from sheer amazement at the volume.

Anyhow…I have come to know several things about her.  First of all, her favorite color is green.  Secondly, she loves Malabrigo.  And third…during one of our chats, I shared that I was working on this pattern and provided a link.  She told me that she had queued the pattern to make at a later time.  By now, I had already decided that I was gifting this to her.  The revelation that she wanted to make this pattern was God’s voice in my ear…”That scarf you’re making belongs to Rabbit.”

Yes, Lord, I know.  Thank you for confirming what I thought I was hearing.  How nice to hear His will so clearly.

Somehow, making that decision changed the project from tedious to joyful.  It flew off of my needles from that point on.  I completed 37 pattern repeats before binding off.  And blocking, which is normally not my forte, went much easier too.  Check out these pictures…

Blocking the Leaf Lace Scarf Using the KnitPicks Lace Blocking Kit

The Finished Scarf...67 1/2" x 7 3/4"

I have to say that I am so proud of the scarf.  When I picked it up after it was dry from blocking, it was light and airy and draped beautifully across my arm.  I photographed it, packed it carefully, and put it in the mail immediately.

Buoyed by the joy that accompanies gifting homemade items, I started work on my next project.

This one is called the Warm Stripings Hat, from the Creative Knitting Magazine (January 2008).  One of Soccer Chick’s teammates asked me to make her a hat and described some of the featurs she wanted.  This pattern fit the bill.  I ordered the yarn recommended by the pattern:  Vero, color #18.

Naturally Vero (Fiber Trends) - Color #18

Even though this teammate is no longer playing for Chick’s team (although she has already committed to play at a large university, and she’s only a junior!), I couldn’t forget my promise to her…especially since I had already ordered the yarn for the project!  Here’s the finished product, modeled by my straw broom:

Warm Stripings Hat

A Close-Up of the Earflap

I’ve gotta tell you that this hat almost didn’t happen this week.  When I sat down to start a new project after the scarf, I quickly realized that I didn’t really have the needles I needed.  Oh, I had the right size, but not the correct size cables or dpns.

This is where you say, “Magic Loop.”  Thank goodness for this method and the fact that I made myself learn it a few months ago.  Also, kudos to interchangeables!  KnitPicks sends you little cap things with each cable needle.  I never knew how to use them before this project.

In the photo above, I had used one cable, with needles on the ends, to work a flap and  i-cord.

One Cable...I-Cord

I used an empty cable with caps on the end to hold the other stitches, which I would work on after finishing up the other side.

KnitPicks Cable and Cap

KnitPicks Cable and Cap

Perhaps you’re thinking, “easy, peasy.”  Not for me.  These things require my brain to work overtime…something I’m not good at.  But I’m glad I put in the extra effort.  It saved me money and time.

I test drove this hat on a couple of teens, who gave me a resounding Thumbs-Up, informing me that this hat is tres chic.  In other words, they want one too.

I excitedly put the hat in the mail this morning, wrapped in tissue paper and ribbon.  I wish I could see the look on the recipient’s face, but just the knowledge of having done the deed and run…

Well, that is what I call a knitter’s ultimate joy.

The joy is in the giving and the surprise felt by the other person at the unexpected package of love.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: creative knitting, hat, Knitting, leaf lace scarf, malabrigo, Vero, warm stripings, wool |