Laughingbird Scarf

Laughingbird Detail, a photo by ShelbyD on Flickr.

This scarf pattern was inspired by watching swirling water in the wake of a boat that was ferrying my family to Laughingbird Caye, a small island park off the coast of Belize. The Carribbean was a remarkable light, fresh blue, and I was very happy to find this colorway of tosh sock to help me realize this pattern. Blocking really opens up this pattern and emphasizes the wavy edges.

Materials
380 yards fingering weight yarn, such as 1 skein madelinetosh tosh sock in Windowpane color way
Size 7 straight or circular needle
4 stitch markers (optional)
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Blocking pins and/or wires

Abbreviations
K -knit
p -purl
K2tog - knit two together
p2tog - purl two together
Ssk - slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together
p2tog tbl - purl two together through back loop
yo - yarn over
Pm - place marker
Sl - slip as if to purl
* - repeat between *

Dimensions: Approx 7 inches wide by 72 inches long

Gauge: 6 stitches per inch in garter stitch

Pattern notes
The optional markers offset the garter border stitches from the main lace panel as well as dividing the ten-stitch repeats from one another. The first stitch of each row is slipped to create a clean edge.

Pattern
Cast on 36.
Knit first row, placing markers as follows if desired: k3, pm, k10, pm, k10, pm, k10, pm, k3
Knit 5 rows.

Row 1: Sl 1, k2, *yo, k8, k2tog* 3 times, k3
Row 2: Sl 1, k2, *p2tog, p7, yo, p1* 3 times, k3
Row 3: Sl 1, k2, *k2, yo, k6, k2tog* 3 times, k3
Row 4: Sl 1, k2, *p2tog, p5, yo, p3* 3 times, k3
Row 5: Sl 1, k2, *k4, yo, k4, k2tog* 3 times, k3
Row 6: Sl 1, k2, *p2tog, p3, yo, p5* 3 times, k3
Row 7: Sl 1, k2, *k6, yo, k2, k2tog* 3 times, k3
Row 8: Sl 1, k2, *p2tog, p1, yo, p7* 3 times, k3
Row 9: Sl 1, k2, *k8, yo, k2tog* 3 times, k3
Row 10: Sl 1, k2, *yo, p8, p2tog tbl* 3 times, k3
Row 11: Sl 1, k2, *ssk, k7, yo, k1* 3 times, k3
Row 12: Sl 1, k2, *p2, yo, p6, p2tog tbl* 3 times, k3
Row 13: Sl 1, k2, *ssk, k5, yo, k3* 3 times, k3
Row 14: Sl 1, k2, *p4, yo, p4, p2tog tbl* 3 times, k3
Row 15: Sl 1, k2, *ssk, k3, yo, k5* 3 times, k3
Row 16: Sl 1, k2, *p6, yo, p2, p2tog tbl* 3 times, k3
Row 17: Sl 1, k2, *ssk, k1, yo, k7* 3 times, k3
Row 18: Sl 1, k2, *p8, yo, p2tog tbl* 3 times, k3

Repeat rows 1-18 23 times or to desired length.
Knit 6 rows.
Bind off all stitches.

Finishing
Block to desired width, using pins or wires to enhance the wave shape inherent in the pattern. Weave in ends.

Unredirected

Some people had trouble accessing the site over the last few days due an outdated blogrolling widget. The offending object has been banished and all pages should work now.

I think I will celebrate by swatching for a vest.

Summer of Socks 2011

Sleepingpolicemenwip, a photo by ShelbyD on Flickr.

Who doesn't love making socks in the summer? Small, portable, perfect for road trips, and not too hot to have on your lap when it's utterly too humid to live.

I'm in the Summer of Socks group on Ravelry again and really enjoy seeing all of the updates from fellow sock knitters. My goal for the next three months is to finish three sock designs, and get at least one of the patterns published.

My summer design inspirations are themed around my spring vacation in Belize. The first pair (in progress before summer started, I'm fast but not that fast) is pictured here. Still need to get through heel and foot on the second sock.

Project Yarnway Collection

Coll
Originally uploaded by ShelbyD

Finally done knitting my five-piece collection for the final challenge of the Project Yarnway game that started at the beginning of last year. I still need to post my final photos on the "runway" thread on Ravelry before Monday. I knit three wraps , a cowl, and a collar, all with cable details. I'll share more photos of the individual items later.

Super Scarf Sunday

Scarvers yarn
Originally uploaded by ShelbyD

Today I'll be doing my part for the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee Super Scarves project, which is trying to outfit 8,000 Super Bowl 2012 volunteers in handmade scarves. Scarves will be Colts colors of blue and white, and so far they have about 2,300 finished items.

You don't need to be in Indianapolis to make and donate a scarf! For more information, visit www.Our2012SB.com or find the Super Scarves group on Ravelry.