Tuesday, November 26, 2013

colorwork









thank you for such sweet words for sarah and david, wishing all the very best to them! and for chuck too! he finished! and in only about thirteen and a half hours, walking in shortly after i posted sunday evening. hmm. yes, fifty miles. incredible. proud of you honey.

hello most fun knit ever! this is the favorite things scarf, not really a pattern, it's more of a recipe. knit in the round, it's a tube that can either be grafted together into a continuous circle and then it's a cowl or finish off the ends, maybe with fringe. i'm LOVING making this, so much it's hard to stop. there are endless inspiring (cute!) charts to choose from and with some graph paper and colored pencils, you could make your own. i found patterns on raverly and in my own library. this seemed like a good way to use up stash, and it was, until i quickly ran out, i don't have very much worsted weight yarn. i placed my first order with knit picks, since needing several colors and wanting to keep cost down. i'm using wool of the andes and it's really lovely!
these are the colors i ordered:
cloud
fjord heather
cranberry
pumpkin
persimmon  heather
bramble heather
conch
forest
oyster heather
delft heather
semolina
sprinkle heather
bamboo heather

it's going to be super warm soft and cozy especially when wrapped twice around the neck, and since there are so many more favorite things (and more wool now), it's probably going to be the first of many (or at least one more, hee hee). what would you choose for your favorite things scarf cowl?
oh! i found the most beautiful vintage knitting book, written in 1944, it's elizabeth zimmerman style, where patterns are more ideas than an actual step by step. i like chapter 18 : what vocations are available in the knitting field (lots!)

raverly notes
joining with yarn along

108 comments:

  1. Wow, I LOVE IT! But I've never learnt colour work so I'm thoroughly daunted and awed. That vintage book is very beautiful also. I got a joyous email yesterday that my pre-order of a new book has been dispatched, a month earlier than predicted! It's called "Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting", have you heard of it in the USA already? That rare beast, knitting fiction. My imminent copy is supposed to be a gift for Great Granny's Christmas but I wonder if I can read it VERY carefully before parting with it! Xxx

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    1. yes i have seen it! i think it would be okay if you read the book, then you could discuss it together which i bet great granny would love!

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  2. It's looking fantastic Lori. Love the picture of you wearing it and knitting it at the same time! When I have finished my fern scarf I'm going to start one - my stash it starting to take over parts of the house!
    Congratulation to Chuck! I have an ultra trailer husband too and I'm always amazed that they can run for such long distances. He too congratulates Chuck - 'great time' he said.

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    1. thank you emma, i am actually doing that now, it's been chilly enough, and it's now long enough!
      and chuck says thanks! every year he tries to better his time, as you probably know ;)

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  3. This work is a real beauty Lori!!!! I love all the designs you"ve knitted in it!!!
    I really understand why is really hard to stop knitting it!!!!
    So, go on with the fun!!!!!
    xxxxxxx Ale

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  4. That's absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous colours. A work of art!

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    1. thank you annie, i was not sure of the colors really, there are so many to choose from!

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    2. i should have said, i do like them very much! i'm so pleased with knit picks wool of the andes. the heathery shades are especially pretty.

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  5. I haven't commented before, but I love this scarf , it's amazing - I'm feeling inspired to pick up my needles : )
    Also the post about the rescued owl is so lovely and heart warming : )

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    1. thank you for taking the time to leave a comment sian, i hope you do give it a try, and let me know!

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  6. that is an amazing scarf/cowl. how much fun is that?! i am in love and so inspired to try color work.
    so glad chuck made it home ok. :)

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    1. you can do this, it is perfect for learning colorwork momto5!

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  7. very pretty and now I must see this pattern :)

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  8. Oh Lori, I am so in LOVE!!! It is so so so so so so beautiful!!! You know how I feel about color!

    How funny that I was just telling you about the Wool of the Andes. Pretty nice, yes? A couple/few years ago I was making sets of knitted/felted nesting bowls for the girls for christmas and didn't have enough yarns so ordered an assortment of colors from knitpicks, many of the same colors you ordered.
    And Chloe's red cardigan is that cranberry, my favorite red.
    And that semolina? Maybe that is the perfect goldeny yellow I am looking for?
    Color. I told you! I'll stop now.
    Always so nice to see the loveliness you are working on.
    Happy days to you!
    Lots of love!
    Renee xo

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    1. dear renee, that is so funny, i'm glad i finally gave it a try! the semolina is a pretty color, but i think the yellow in the scarf is mostly carrie's yellow from quince and co. they are very similar though, i think you would like it. and the cranberry is gorgeous, my favorite now too!

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  9. I love your scarf! I am working on something very similar except it is a long tube on US 2 needles. I am picking colors and making things up as I go, but it doesn't have any fun things like you have in your scarf. I'm sure it isn't too late for me to add a few more fun things to it!

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    1. that sounds pretty andee, i have always wanted to make one with fingering, and lots of little peerie patterns! so many ideas!

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  10. even knowing your talent and seeing it firsthand, i find it INCREDIBLE that you made this scarf! it is absolutely totally completely fantastic.

    you look great. i'm glad. xoxo
    love
    kj

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  11. It is absolutely gorgeous!! It would put a smile on my face every time I wore it! :-) I love Knit Picks! They have some great yarn, great customer service and I believe they still have an awesome sale going on right now. :-)

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  12. I am so in love with that scarf. I've always wanted to try a quasi Fair Isle knit, but my knitting skills are minor, but a scarf like that I think I could do.

    Christy

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    1. you could do this chrisy! it's a very easy project for learning colorwork, i hope you'll give it a try!

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  13. Your scarf is so beautiful. I love the patterns you chose. (:

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    1. thank you, that is the fun part! well, and the color choosing too, it's all fun!

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  14. your scarf makes me ;^))))
    when we moved here, already 11 years ago
    i knitted a scarf like yours, called my happiness scarf
    i knitted the word 'geluk' (= happiness) several times
    bck than i was lonely and knitting thsi made me happy
    like you!
    thank you for showing and haring
    and thank you for the sweet memories

    love
    xx
    Patrice A.

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    1. that is a lovely memory patrice, i love the idea of happiness knitted in. i'd love to see your scarf too, maybe you could share it someday. :)

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  15. What better than to wrap yourself in your favorite things! You are a knitting wizard and I love your creativity. Happy Thanksgiving, dear friend, XOXO

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    1. thank you susan. happy thanksgiving to you xxxx

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  16. Oh Lori , Thats beautiful you have done it again. xxxx

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  17. Dear Lori, that is the best ever knitting idea! I used to knit pullovers ect. like that (long time ago). First: you have chosen really beautiful 'pictures' and creatures to your scarf and lovely colours! Second: to make a roll scarf is fantastic idea because knitting only the right side, is so much easier and quicker. Wow, I hope I can knit even short cowl like this! Hugs! x Teje
    PS. Sorry I haven't been here so often lately but I have been grazy busy. You are always in my mind!

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    1. thank you so much teje! a cowl is a wonderful idea, i hope you do get a chance to make one, this really is so much fun. i hope all is well with you!

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  18. I speak not English, but I must it tell you: beautiful,beatiful, beautiful. With whole respect. Eva

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    1. thank you eva! i appreciate you making the effort to comment, your english is lovely!

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  19. Lori what an amazing and gorgeous project! It is such a treasure.
    Warmly
    Linda
    xoxo

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  20. This scarf is a masterpiece! I love it. Beautiful!
    Knitting with more than two colors colors is among my 2014 resolutions :)

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    1. thank you hanni! i think you are already a beautiful knitter of colorwork!

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  21. I have no idea how to make that but I want to learn! How adorable!

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    1. i wish i could show you amy, it really is simple. there are many helpful videos though that could help you get started on knitting colorwork, you can do it!

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  22. Lori, that scarf is utterly amazing! Adorable! Beautiful! I simply will have to learn how to knit with many colours.

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    1. thank you irene! you really can do this, knitting with colors is not difficult, i hope you give it a try :)

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  23. Oh my goodness! what an absolute colour inspiration! I`ve never tried any colourwork of great detail, but this certainly has me wanting to. I love all the different detail, so much fun!

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  24. this has to be one of my all time favorite knits.....and being the copy-cat that I am, I'm destined to create one, too!!! I LOVE IT!!!

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    1. that's awesome steph, i can't wait to see yours, i just know you will have so much fun with it!

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  25. Teeeheeeheeee! this is so wonderful, and yes, I see so many favourite things that would feature prominently on a version that I would make (if I ever find the time to make myself one of these lovelies.) Yay!!

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    1. :) it was difficult to choose from all the favorite things nicole, there may have to be another!

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  26. Oh my, there's so much to love about this! I lovelovelove it. :)

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  27. I lovelovelove it! What a fun knit! Happy Thanksgiving, Lori!

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  28. Lori this is amazing! How do you get so much done? I love love that scarf. Happy Thanksgiving have a safe and peaceful holiday.

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    1. thank you eileen! worsted weight is really helping to make this a quick knit. happy thanksgiving to you!

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  29. I really want to make a favorite's scarf, yours is just so pretty Lori.

    I wanted to pop in a wish you a most Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful that you are in my life and I value your friendship deeply.

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    1. thank you tracey. i feel the very same, and i'm wishing a very happy thanksgiving for you and your family!
      i hope you'll have all your kids with you tomorrow!

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  30. Lori, before I turn to knitting...please convey my congratulations to Chuck. What an achievement!

    And now...knitting. The colors and designs you've been choosing for this wonderful scarf really do sing! I have only tried the fair isle knitting with a worsted weight yarn once, and my results were by no means as beautiful as what you are creating. I admit ... I unraveled my worsted project. So far, DK is the thickest yarn I have used for this fun color play...now you have encouraged me to try another scale.

    While I am confessing, let me also say that so far my left-handedness has sort of kept me from mastering that grafting technique. I will have to give it another go! It seems as if your Beautiful, Beautiful Favorite Things scarf will be a very good candidate for the grafting technique.

    Let me quickly now retreat from knitting stuff to wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving. I am so thankful to have met you Lori, and to also share the joy that you send us via your posts.

    xo

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    1. i've told him frances :) thank you

      i do know how you feel, working with worsted weight is not my favorite, and colorwork in it,even less. but i am really enjoying making this scarf. it's been really gratifying to see it knit up so quickly. maybe you can find left handed grafting instructions? i know that can be tricky.

      i am thankful for our friendship too, and meeting you was one of the highlights of my time in the city! thank you for the kind words, and happy thanksgiving dear frances.

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  31. Love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its my next fun project for sure. I am taking the fair isle class in NYC with Mary Jane Mucklestone so that will help!!

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    1. oh! i wish i were taking that class with you! i can't wait to hear about it! thank you leanne!

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  32. Oh my goodness...that scarf! Amazing! Coincidentally the annual yarn sale is on this week at the woolen mill located in my town (Briggs and Little Woolen Mill), I think it is a sign. Now to just finish the Christmas present knits so I can start....

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    1. that sounds so great denise! have fun choosing all your colors! i can't wait to see your scarf!

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  33. this is the sweetest and coolest scarf I have ever seen!!! How fun to imagine your own patterns!!

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    1. thank you jesse, it's really been a lot of fun, i'm kind of sad it's almost finished. :)

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  34. What a joyful, whimsical song of a scarf this is. It is a scarf to heal people of long illnesses or sadness. It is a scarf that will keep Holly Golightly's mean reds away. Excellent pics too, with the layering of stripes and florals. What a treat for the eyes. Thank you.

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    1. what lovely images you've described rebecca, thank you very much for such kind words. it was fun to add colors and patterns, love that :)

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  35. This is so lovely, I LOVE the sheep, and the colours you have picked!

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    1. thank you sarah! the sheep are so cute! and a really fun chart to knit. i'll try to add links to all the patterns, or books they came from on raverly soon.

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  36. Wow, this is absolutely wonderfull. So sweet and happy scarf. Even the happiest scarf I´ve ever seen. :)
    For a happy person, I think. I love your blog and your knitting, Lori. So much inspiration for my knitting and for my life.
    Thank you very much.
    Laeela

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    1. thank you so much laeela for such kind words, i'm so happy you like my scarf, it is such a pleasure to share here.

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  37. What a beautiful scarf/cowl! I wonder if one day I'll have the courage to venture into colourwork knit! I'm always astonished with your work, with your good taste in the choice of colors, it is so inspiring! Thank you! Eliane

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    1. dear eliane, i hope you do give it a try, please believe you can, it is very simple, i know you can do it! thank you so much for the kindest words.

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  38. This scarf is breath-taking!! I love each different section. I need to put my crochet hook away for a while to learn how to do this - very inspiring.
    Happy Thanksgiving

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    1. thank you so much, i hope you do! it's a perfect project for learning, and so much fun.

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  39. thank you very much! happy thanksgiving!

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  40. If ever there was a scarf pattern that was designed for you, this would be it! What a wonderful way to have all the things you love within sight! Beautiful Lori!

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    1. thank you so much andi, this may go on for a long time, so many favorite things there are!

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  41. Amazing scarf, amazing book! (Love the fair isle with your striped shirt and the floral background!!)

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    1. thank you carrie! i was hoping all those layers would work! :)

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  42. Gorgeous scarf. I'm inspired to make one myself now.

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  43. This is the most fun knit I've come across in a while!

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  44. Incredibly beautiful! I love the row of foxes especially.

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  45. This is all kinds of awesome and inspiring!!!! It really is!

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  46. Amazing Lori. I love it so so much. It's the most wonderful thing I've seen in a long time and now on my "one day" wish list, just as soon as I learn to do colorwork :-) Mel xxx

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  47. Oh that is too beautiful and fun!!!! If I could wear wool like that next to my skin I'd be tempted to start right away! Just love the patterns you chose!

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  48. Your Favorite Things scarf is juts wonderful- and I love that its has leftovers from treasured knits in it, too, along with new yarn. That'd be a fun cabin fever project--I've got it queued.

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xoxo lori