Jan 15 2007
the bainbridge scarf
The cardigan is still “blocking.” On Saturday my solution was to put the pieces into a heap and sort of hope for the best. (Rachel firmly advised against this, but I ignored her good sense.) Today I set them out again, but there’s been no stringent “blocking to measurements” action, per all of your good advice–see, the work naturally hit the right widths, it was the length that was out of whack, so I just sort of set it up so that it wasn’t stretched in the slightest. Glancing at it, it doesn’t look so enormous any longer. It’s not completely dry, and until I feel sure it’s completely dessicated, I’m going to take the firm denial stance of “so long as I ignore it, it can’t be doing something bad.” More news when I have some. Thank you so much for all the sympathy and suggestions–I have certainly learned my lesson (swatch even if you think you don’t need to), and I have some decent ideas for how to proceed if it doesn’t magically fix itself.
In the meantime, in order to give myself some satisfaction, I whipped up this new “scarf.” It’s kind of like Ashley’s neck hug, only not. And it’s a complete ripoff of a scarf that my friend was wearing last weekend; she got it from a delightful boutique in Philly that’s on Bainbridge Street. (I was going to name the scarf after the store, but then the blatant ripoff would have been just that much more blatant.)
I took the measurements of my friend’s neck wrap and matched them nearly–mine is a titch bigger, and I realize now that a titch smaller would have been better. I love the simplicity of it. You knit a small cylinder, and when you put it on you fold it over to form a point and then tie the little straps. It covers your neck, your chest (often exposed with coats), and it is infinitely versatile.
I did a simple k4,p4 pattern that offsets by one stitch on each round, so it spirals. The straps are a k3,p3 repeat. I used Debbie Bliss Wool Cotton, straight from the stash, about 1.25 balls. This will be a gift for my friend Trixie, if she likes it. I was going to consult with her on the yarn, etc., but then I just needed to knit something easy, so I jumped right in.
The next thing on my needles will be another one, slightly tweaked. There’s not much of a pattern to write up, but perhaps I’ll just let you know the ideal dimensions, when I figure them out, and suggest some stitch patterns that might look nice. I’ll also include step-by-step photos on how to wear it, don’t worry! I had to have my friend show me what to do before I could conceive of it.
It’s my first FO of 2007!
Oh my god CUTE! I can’t wait until you post some guidelines. I’m looking for a small project to chase away some winter blahs, and this might be just what the doctor ordered.
Very clever, useful scarf. Good job!
So cute! And perfect for a nonbulky covering of that spot that coats so often leave exposed to the elements. My mom would love it. And you know how I feel about that color. :)
i like that scarf a lot. and i’m intrigued by how it works.
The neck warmer is really cool.
Perfect for stash wool, and it looks like we’ll finally have some cold weather that merits such a garment. As for your “blocking” situation, I tend to react to things like that by putting the item in question away for about a year. Under the bed is best.
I like that “Bainbridge Scarf” sounds so similar to “Cambridge Sweater” — like, “I’m not thinking about you, Cambridge Sweater. I don’t need you! I’m totally ignorning you!” I’m not describing this well. It’s just funny to me.
Anyway, I definitely would like a little tutorial on how the thing is worn, because I can’t picture it, but I like how it looks a lot. And I happen to have about 5 balls of Debbie Bliss wool cotton in my stash.
Yes, please explain it, because my brain is completely unable to wrap around how it might work. I’m glad I’m not alone on that; otherwise I would feel extremel stupid instead of only partially stupid like I feel right now.
Hmmm, when Dad and I come this weekend, should I bring some needles and yarn? This is a very cute and practical little piece :) XO
That is so cool. I want to make one!
very cute and unique! i would love to make one of these. i think that it would be a great stash buster.
What a cute little scarf, very practical and handy. I look forward to seeing your next version.
Yes, Minty, please show us how you create the magic! I cannot seem to get my mind to jump from Figure A to Figure B.
Great looking scarf! At first I thought it was for the Red Scarf Project, but now I see it is for someone special. Lucky friend!
=:8
That is the neatest knitting ever! Why do I never think to do stuff like that? Looking forward to your tutorial.
Oh good, I’m glad to see others sharing my bafflement as to how one accessorises with the Bainbridge!