Silk Scarf

It's been awhile since we had a free pattern, hasn't it?  I put this scarf sample in the shop last week right before the sale, and quite a few lovely knitters really seemed to like it.

The pattern itself is pretty simple...it's basically a knit/purl rib pattern that shifts one stitch to the side on each row.  The scarf is reversible, which I love.  I designed this with Louisa Harding Mulberry Silk, a beautiful pure silk yarn with a very smooth texture.  I used a US7, a few sizes larger than the yarn officially recommends, to create a really satisfying drape.  

If you decide to use a different yarn, be sure to choose something with a smooth texture and ideally with some silk or bamboo.  If you choose a fuzzy yarn, the pattern will just disappear.  The silk is really great for people who might not care for wool, and I think it could even be knit as a dressy piece for the right man.

I hope you all enjoy!

Close Knit Silk Scarf
by Leah Bandstra

Yarn: 3 balls Louisa Harding Mulberry (100% silk)
Needles: US7
Finished Size: 60"x6.5"
Gauge: About 5.5 stitches/in in stockinette
Instructions:
Cast on 49 stitches.  Starting with row 1, follow chart until you have about 2 yards of yarn left.  BO in pattern, weave in ends, and wet block, especially if you have used silk.

Row 1: K1, *P3, K4* until 6 stitches remain, P3, K3.

Row 2: P2, *K4, P3* until 5 stitches remain, K4, P1.

Row 3: K2, *P3, K4* until 5 stitches remain, P3, K2.

Row 4: P1, *K4, P3* until 6 stitches remain, K4, P2.

Row 5: K3, *P3, K4* until 4 stitches remain, P3, K1.

Row 6: *K4, P3*.

Row 7: *K4, P3*.

Row 8: K3, *P3, K4* until 4 stitches remain, P3, K1.

Row 9: P1, *K4, P3* until 6 stitches remain, K4, P3.

Row 10: K2, *P3, K4* until 5 stitches remain, P3, K2.

Row 11: P2, *K4, P3* until 5 stitches remain, K4, P1.

Row 12: K1, *P3, K4* until 6 stitches remain, P3, K3.

Row 13: *P3, K4*.

Row 14: *P3, K4*.

14				X	X	X	X
					X	X	X	13
12	X				X	X	X
	X					X	X	11
10	X	X				X	X
	X	X					X	9
8	X	X	X				X
	X	X	X					7
6	X	X	X	X
		X	X	X				5
4		X	X	X	X
			X	X	X			3
2			X	X	X	X
				X	X	X		1

Odd # rows (right side or RS) are read from right to left. Even # rows (wrong side or WS) are read from left to right.   = knit on RS, purl on WS X = purl on RS, knit on WS

The Best Kind of Leftovers

Whew, that was a scorcher of a weekend, wasn't it?  Thanks to everyone who braved the heat to enjoy our AC and crazy yarn discounts.  As usual, we have a hard time putting the sale yarn away, so you can enjoy some delicious leftovers this week.

The 70% off table still includes a ton of great books, pattern booklets, and yarn, and there are so many lovely yarns still tagged at 40% off around the shop.  Here are some of my favorites.

Karabella Lace Merino Silk.  Two hundred and fifty yards of fingering weight merino and silk.  I took home some of the red, but that purpley gray is calling to me.  And the light gray, and the camel...I'll race you to it.

The Classic One Fifty from Classic Elite is being discontinued, so we are saying farewell.  There are sweater quantities of this yarn still on the shelves in some great colors at $3.30 per ball.  Seriously.

The Wool Bam Boo is heading out, too.  I used this to make a sweet little shrug for my girl, and I grabbed a few more balls for a few more girls.

The Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed Aran and Chunky are on sale, as are Rialto, Rialto Aran, and Rialto 4 Ply.

Also, Glen.  This yarn is amazing, people.  I don't understand why it's being discontinued, but it is.  This is one that does a really slow tonal shade change over the course of the ball, and it is so stinkin' soft and lofty.

We have some great cotton yarns on sale, too, including Rowan Purelife Cotton, Rowan Glace, and Debbie Bliss Eco Cotton and Eco Baby.

I love the Revive, which is made from recycled cotton and silk fabrics and remnants.  The knitted fabric is so fabulous.

There are sock yarns, on sale, too, including Koigu, Artyarns, and Santa Fe.  The mohair/angora shelf is saying goodbye to few friends, including Louet KidLin, GGH Kid Melange, and Louisa Harding Kimono Angora Pure.

I know it's hard to believe, but all of this is 40% off.  There is even more than I have shown you here.  We are going to start seeing our fall yarns in the next few weeks, and then I'll have even more to share with you.  In the mean time, help us clean shop.  See you soon!

Summer Sale and Fall Interweave

Hey Close Knitters!  We're having a sale this weekend.  Sally has been a busy little bee ordering some amazing things for the fall.  With so much beautiful yarn set to arrive in August and September, we are making space on the shelves.

Here's the skinny.  There will be a store-wide discount on all books, patterns, and needles in the shop.  We will also have many beautiful yarns around the shop tagged at an even more significant discount, including our famous super sale table.  This deal will apply Saturday, August 4 from 10-5 and Sunday, August 5 from 11-4.  To make things even better, our friends at Bolt are having a sale, too.  Here are the details of their sale.

We just received the Fall Interweave Knits.  Pretty stuff in here people.  Take a look.

I know August is just getting started, but the yarn people are already thinking about cozy sweaters, hats, cowls, and mittens.  Come see us this weekend and help us prepare for the fall goodies!

Are You Knitting?

Image Source

Have you all been following the stink about the Ravelympics this year?  I'm watching the incredibly long and slightly confusing opening ceremonies right now...thank goodness Matt Lauer is giving me a play-by-play explanation.  David Beckham is currently navigating a speedboat up the Thames with the Olympic torch bearer.  Obviously.  

Challenge yourself to knit something during the games: an entire scarf, a hat in the round, your first sweater, or the most complicated lace shawl on the planet.  Anyway, if you'd like to join in the knitting and crocheting fun, check out the Ravlery group for the Ravellinic Games.  There are many many smaller teams on Ravelry, too.  Join a group, make some friends, and get to work.  If you run out of yarn, lose your needles, or just need a pep talk, you know where to find us.

Also, mark your calendars for next weekend.  There might be a yarn sale...

Fall Kitscene

The Fall 2012 Knitscene is pretty cool.

Check out my favorites...

 

 

Take a look at the Ravelry page for the magazine for full details of the projects.

Also, check out our friend Nancy!  Her new patterns for Jade Sapphire are very pretty, and it's so nice to see her beautiful face.

 

 

Blue Sky Worsted Cotton

We have a fresh supply of Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton in the best colors.

I recently used this yarn for the Chevron Baby Blanket, and the final product is squishy and spectacular.  (I skipped the bright white in the center and went with six stripes rather than seven.)

photo by Emily (aka Mama-to-be)

The blanket is knit on US11s with the yarn held doubled, so it knits up quickly.  Come put together your favorite color combo!