Mojo-Jojo

Rayski Scarf by Jane Ellison | ravelry |

I managed to get a lot of stuff done and out of the way when my knitting mojo disappeared. My swollen ankle didn't slow me down too much. Eventually, the ankle started feeling better and the mojo worked its way back to normal levels.

Mostly, it was the Rayski scarf and all of its bobbles that returned the mojo. I never thought that bobbles would have that effect on me. Anyway, not only is the pattern simple and easily memorized, the yarn is almost addicting. It's the famous and infamous Noro Iro. The colors are lovely and the yarn has a rustic quality that I quite like. Unfortunately, I had to deal with Noro's infamous qualities as well. Every skein has had a knot but at least the color sequence is intact. The one upside is that it allows me a bit more control over the colors even if I do have more ends to weave in. Ends aside, I'm looking forward to knitting the rest of the scarf and wearing it many months from now.

October Overdrive

Single Skein September was a lot of fun and very productive. I managed to get a good chunk of my gift knitting done: however, October doesn't mean that I can slack off. Overdrive is a great adjective for this month since I'm trying to finish up a modified version of this giant scarf. Originally, it was supposed to be a Christmas present in 2008. I really missed the mark on that one but I think I can knit the last 4' in the next few weeks. Maybe.

Besides from being really late and really large, there's something else about this scarf.  With one exception, I have been knitting this scarf every time I've watched Hellraiser . Since Halloween is approaching, I intend to continue this trend and I'll probably watch a few of the sequels too. It'll be a good start to my own personal horror marathon I'll be having this month. Any suggestions for scary movies I can knit along with?

Also in my collection of horror is The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker, the book Hellraiser is based on. I'll have to read that too this month...once I finish that scarf.

Ridges

Pattern: My own

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool in Dark Grey Mix and Rich Red

Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)

Date: Sept. 1 - Sept. 6, 2009

@Ravelry

Of everything I've knit during the Single Skein September KAL, this scarf is far from the cutest but is definitely my favorite. Besides from being warm, which is an important aspect of any scarf, it has an ambiguous character which, in this case, is a good thing. It could appear striped or solid gray depending on the angle or a strong gust of wind.  I know how illusion knitting works but I still find the effect intriguing. Amazing what something as simple as 2 rows of stockinette and 2 rows of garter can do, isn't it?

I tried out a few other patterns that I wasn't quite happy with before picking this one. Since the scarf would be heading off to the Red Scarf Project, I wanted to send something that either I would wear or happily give to family and friends. Seeing as how my mother wanted to take it off my hands, I think I succeeded. Once I figure out the note that I'll be sending along with the scarf, they'll be on their way to Sterling, VA. If you want to send a scarf as well, the details are here and the deadline is Dec. 15.

Single Skein September

Today, September 1st, is the beginning of the Single Skein September KAL run by Nicole and Jenny of the Stash & Burn podcast. The basic premise is to knit as much as you can from various single skeins of yarn (or several skeins depending on the project) through the month of September.  I usually don't join KAL's but this one sounded fun and was a good fit with my gift knitting plans. I might even win something since there's a prize for most knit and another prize given to a randomly picked participant.  Not going to hold my breath on that though.  If you feel like joining in, the KAL is being hosted in the Stash & Burn group, here, on Ravelry. 

My first project for this endeavor is a scarf for the Red Scarf Project which gives Valentine's Day care packages to people that have aged out of the foster care system. I've wanted to contribute something to this charity for a few years now but never managed to before. So, this year I made sure I had some red yarn, along with a matching grey, and some empty needles. Since illusion knitting has lodged itself in my brain, I'm useing the basic foundation of that technique for this scarf. Two rows of stockinette followed by two rows of garter is creating a wonderful fabric that has a dash of ambiguity.

If you also want to contribute to the Red Scarf Project, info on requirements, deadlines, and where to send is here, and at the Ravelry group.