And One for the Season...

 Just in time for Thanksgiving. 

At first, I had an idea, then I found the right yarn and colors in my stash, and I opened the box of a new little hand-knitting machine I had purchased at Michaels with a 60% discount. I couldn't go wrong by using the discount and buying the machine. Instructions are straightforward. I knitted this little beanie. After I took it off the machine, I pulled the top of the beanie together and used the Norwegian bind-off with needles twice the usual size to create a soft and stretchy edge. The little green leaf and stem are just basic crochet stitches. 

Sawtooth Scarf: A Gift Yarn, a Gentle Pattern, and a Beautiful Result

This scarf started with a skein of yarn I’d been saving for something special. It was a gift I received a while back, made of 100% Merino wool, soft and warm, in a multicolored variegated blend that shifts from one fall color to the next. The sawtooth scarf was the perfect project for these kinds of colors and yarn. I wanted something that would let the yarn speak, and it does. The pattern said, "Fall is coming soon, be prepared!" 
I found the perfect project match in one of my KnitSimple magazines. www.knitsimplemag.com. What I appreciated most was how clearly the instructions were written. No fuss, no confusion—just step-by-step guidance that made the whole process feel easy and doable.
It asks to use a provisional cast-on so the scarf can be worked from the center outward. That gave it a nice look and made it easier to add the lace border evenly on both sides, so they said, and they were right. The lace itself is a relatively easy-to-knit sawtooth edge, simple enough to knit without stress but with enough detail to stand out. 
After blocking, the scarf measured 183 cm along the top curve and 20.5 cm deep at the center back. It drapes beautifully. The colors complement the lace, and the whole piece feels light, soft, and elegant.
This was one of those projects that reminded me why I knit. The yarn had a story. The pattern respected it. And the finished scarf feels like a small celebration of color, texture, and time well spent.

Recreating a Cable Cowl from a Photograph

While browsing knitting inspiration, I came across a photograph of a cable cowl that immediately caught my attention. The image did not include a pattern, but the stitchwork was clear enough to invite closer inspection. I decided to to recreate the design based solely on what I could see in the picture by analyzing the photo in detail: Stitch Counting: I zoomed in and counted the visible stitches across each repeat, noting the cable structure and spacing.

Row Tracking: I examined the vertical progression of the cables to estimate row counts and identify the rhythm of the pattern.

Chart Drafting: Using my experience with pattern charts, I sketched a working version of the pattern, design, adjusting as needed to match the photo.
Once the chart was complete, I started to cast on the stitches. I used a different color and type of yarn than the original. The stitch pattern I put together matched the photographed cowl exactly. 

Pattern:

Cast on 34 stitches, knit 14 rows in seed stitch, 

First and last stitch in every row is a purl stitch,

Rows 1, 3, 5: P1, *k2, p1, k6, p1* repeat to end, last stitch P1, 

Rows 2, 4, 6: P1, *p2, k1, p6, p2* to last stitch P1

Row 7: P1, *k2, p1, place 3 stitches on a cable needle and hold in back, k3, k3 from the cable needle, p1* repeat to end, last stitch P1

Repeat rows 1 to 6 until reaching desired length,

Repeat 14 rows in a seed stitch patter. Bind off all stitches. 

Baby Sweater made of Arvil Raw Silk

 

 I’ve been working on a toddler sweater size T2 in a reddish mix of Avril Raw Silk Multi-color yarn and have just finished it. A dear knitting friend gifted me the skeins, and it’s been "parked" in my yarn bag waiting for the right project. The colors are a mix of green, red, yellow, and a touch of blue. They shift as you knit, so every row feels a bit different. It gives the sweater a fun, playful look that feels totally unique.

It took me a couple of weeks to finish. Some parts were smooth, others a bit fiddly, but I’m happy with how it turned out. Raw silk is lovely in its own way, but it has a mind of its own. The strands like to split if you’re not careful, so I had to slow down, keep my tension steady, and sometimes loosen up the stitch just a bit to let the yarn do its thing.

The sweater itself is simply shaped, just right for a toddler. No extra frills, which lets the yarn’s natural drape stand out. I don’t think I’ll be rushing back to use this exact yarn again; it’s a bit finicky, but I’m glad I gave it a go. The texture is special, and it taught me a few things along the way.

I’ve got enough yarn left for a beanie, maybe with a pompom. I’m thinking about making a little set. If I do, I’ll try to echo the sweater’s clean lines, perhaps a ribbed edge or some color blocks to tie it all together, and maybe add a pompom.

A Jacket for Robin

A few years ago, I knitted a jacket for my friend Robin. It was one of those rare projects that felt like more than just yarn and needles. I used twelve skeins of Ella Rae Amity and US 9 (5.5 mm) needles. The yarn was soft but sturdy, its color a quiet echo of Robin’s calm strength.

As I worked, I kept thinking about her. I wanted the jacket to feel like something special, just made for her to wear. The process took time, of course, but never felt tedious. Just a rhythm of stitches and thoughts, a slow unfolding of something meaningful.

When I finally gave it to her, she smiled, gave me several hugs, and was very happy in a way that tells you you’ve gotten it just right. That moment made every yard worth it.

A Scarf That Spirals Like a Story

I started a scarf like this a while back. No big plan, just a need to keep me occupied while watching TV. I had a bunch of Schachenmayr Nomotta 100% wool in baby blue, a color that looks good on everything. Then I paired it with a blue variegated wool from Araucaria, which I had in my stash. The combination of the two yarns reminded me of a jacket I had a long time ago. 

I knitted the scarf in length first, then joined the two ends into rounds. I like "scarves" like this because there are no ends to twist around your neck. A type of knitting that doesn't require attention to edges, with no turning, just one round after another that builds on itself. 

When it was long enough, I added a crochet border using the variegated Araucania yarn. Just a simple shell stitch, nothing fancy. But it gave the whole piece a gentle finish and a sophisticated appearance. It’s warm, but not heavy. Soft, but with substance.

Funny thing, I’ve worked with this yarn before. A while back, I made a beanie and a scarf from the same baby blue and Araucaria blend. I’d promised it to my dear friend Vivian, but in a flurry of donations for a local animal charity, I completely forgot and gave it away. When she asked what happened to it, I had to admit (with a sheepish grin) that I’d forgotten my promise. So I did what any knitter would do: I grabbed my needles and made her a new set, as quickly as I could. Same yarn, same love, just as pretty as the first set. When I gave it to Vivian, she fell in love with it from the moment she saw it. Now she is wearing it proudly, and I am pleased that she loves the set of a beanie and a scarf. 

A Spring Dress from the Past: Yellow & Green in Debbie Bliss Yarn

Back in 2008, when I co-owned All About Yarn in Azusa, I made a sweet little spring dress for a 3–to 4-year-old girl using Debbie Bliss yarn. That yarn really lived up to its name: soft, smooth, and easy to work with. It was one of those projects that came together without a fuss, and the colors just sang “spring.”

The top of the dress featured light green and yellow stripes, with half sleeves that provided a nice balance, neither too warm nor too bare. The skirt was all yellow with a gentle swing to it, perfect for twirling. I added a green ribbon around the hips for a little extra charm, and it tied the whole look together.
I ended up selling the dress to a customer from the shop, and I still remember how happy she was with it. It’s funny how certain projects stick with you not just because of the yarn or the pattern, but because of the moment. That dress felt like sunshine stitched into fabric.

Pink & White Baby Jacket for Angelika

 

I just finished a little pink and white baby jacket for baby Angelika, and I have to say, it turned out really sweet. I used Sirdar Snuggly Baby Care DK, and wow, that yarn is soft. Like, really smooth. It’s the kind of yarn that makes you want to keep squishing it while you knit. The pattern was super easy to follow, nothing too fussy. It worked up quickly, and the DK weight gave it a nice, even texture. I didn’t have to fight with the yarn or second-guess the instructions, which is always a win.
And on Angelika? Adorable. The colors suit her perfectly, and the fit is just right, not too snug, with a little room to grow. She looked so cute in it, I almost didn’t want to take it off her to weave in the ends.
This was one of those projects that reminded me why I love knitting for babies, simple, sweet, and full of heart.

Beanie & Hand-Crank Knitting Contraption

I began the beanie on a hand-crank knitting machine using a 49-needle setup, then completed it by hand during our Knitting Circle gathering. It was a sweet moment when Ginnie’s elderly aunt stopped by to greet us, sat down for a chat, and just before leaving for the senior luncheon, she admired the colors and the overall appearance of the hat. She was particularly drawn to the pompom, expressing her love for them. She is always so friendly, with her sweet smile, so I simply gave it to her as a small gift. The beanie, a blend of machine precision and hand-finished care, found its perfect home.

Flower Blossom Beanie