MultiDirectional Scarf Takes the Stage
Is my weekend over already? It hardly seems possible! But yet it is. Good thing it was a good weekend over all. It started with some very good vibes. Diva made her first appearance at work and received a number of very nice comments -- even from people who don't usually notice my knitwear. She came off immediately after I got home (knitted lace + cats = too many possible bad outcomes), but she'll be coming out soon again. John and I see our first opera of the season, Aida, this coming Friday. Diva's already got her ticket and will be paired with a nice black skirt.
It's been a long time since I've been to the Lyric. The last time I went was during graduate school. Three of us scraped together some cash and treated ourselves to an opera series. It was a nice excuse to get dressed up and immerse ourselves completely in something entirely different from our day-to-day lives. This weekend, while cleaning out an old jewelry box, I came across a ticket from the Lyric from the last time I saw Aida in 1995. Ticket price? $17. Location? Nosebleed section. This year I will be on the main floor, near the back but towards the center. It's going to be a real treat for me going there for the first time with John.
I was computerless most of Saturday as John worked to help get my new laptop in place as my primary computer. This involved a great deal of drive juggling, software installing and a little bit of cursing, but by Sunday morning I was in business. I took advantage of my computer-free time to get my MultiDirectional Scarf in Diakeito Diadomina #301 finished. Here's the result:
Click Here for a Fringe Closeup
Julie and I were shopping today and it was from her (via the Gap) that I learned that "icy pastels" are the hot thing for winter. If that is the case, then I have inadvertantly created myself a fashionable scarf. Of course, this weekend the weather was fabulous and absolutely not scarfy, so I didn't get to try it out properly, but I have no doubt that it won't be too long until I do. I'm particularly proud of my little fringing expedition. I don't normally like to fringe things, but in this case the scarf seemed a little naked without it.
I probably would have blocked it, but, well, ultimately it's a garter stitch scarf. To paraphrase and subtly modify the immortal words of my father "Blocking? We don't need no steenking blocking!"
This scarf, knit on US 7's/4.5mm AddiTurbos, took almost exactly 3 skeins of Diadomina, including the fringe, and was about 6' long before the fringe was added. It's nice and soft to the touch, though I probably won't be able to wear it directly against my skin (I love the mohair, but it doesn't love me). This is a great project if you are interested in learning how short rows work -- a subject also covered in this quarter's INKnitters (which, by the way, I would highly recommend for the technique articles alone, and the cover sweater isn't too bad, either). Not only that, it's also an easy project, and one that is easy to modify to suit your personal tastes. Except for the first and last triangles, you don't have to look at the instructions at all and you can make your scarf to any width and pretty much use almost any yarn or combination of yarns that you like.
That scarf is gorgeous! The Diadomina that you sent me keeps looking at me in my craft room and asking for this treatment. The weather here is now cold enough for scarves so I think I'll have to get my needles out!
Beautiful scarf. I've been wanting to make one and I think you've inspired me to get going! The colors are gorgeous.
Theresa, that's gorgeous! I love diakeito yarns -- their colors are just so soft and supple. And the fringe is a nice touch -- I never think to fringe my scarves, but I should. Brava!
Will the not-next-to-skin thing be a significant problem? Thus far this fall, I've worn almost all my scarves wound directly around my neck to stave off the need for turtlenecks and a coat.
What a beautiful piece of work that scarf is! The fringe hangs from it perfectly. Very delicate.
Love the colors best of any I've seen. Very beautiful!
Beautiful scarf, and good job at being "hip" this season :)
Just saw Diva for the first time - she is gorgeous, and completely deserving of her name and all the superior treatment she demands. I hope the two of you have a wonderful time at Aida.
If the LYS I'm going to on Wednesday has this yarn, I'm getting enough to make this scarf. I'd been thinking about it for a while, and your picture has me sold.
Hi ! The scarf is gorgoerus !I am sure it will attract many people's eyes when you wear it.
Thanks for the compliments. I can't take too much credit, however -- the Diadomina did most of the work.
Another neat idea was something Julie (BoogaJ) did with hers -- she used 3 different colored skeins. It looked very cool and you could hardly tell that she was working three colorways, they all just seemed to go together. And I think one of them was the same colorway I used here!
As to the next-to-the-skin thing... well, I'm a turtleneck girl through and through. It's my standard winter uniform. So it won't be too long until this scarf will be around my neck -- just not directly against it.