Sunday, March 30, 2008

My Willowy Scarf and Knitting Tip No. 3

This is my new Willowy scarf.


I love this design. It was very easy to knit and can be worn a variety of ways, as these photos attest. I thought it was a chevron stitch until my knitting friend Sherry at Pink Knitter informed me that she thought it was a feather and fan stitch and, as it turns out, she was right! No matter, I love the stitch no matter what it is called.

It is the Willow scarf (wider style) from the Colinette Arboretum booklet, from which I've also knit the Silver Birch hat (Ravelry link).

I love knitting with fine brushed mohair (once you get the hang of it it's quite easy) as it creates such a delicate and warm accessory. While I simply adore the large shawls that I've knit with this yarn, I think that this scarf will be more practical as it can be dressed up or down. And, because I occasionally hear cries of anguish that reverberate throughout the virtual knitting world from knitters who have been frustrated by this yarn, I'm going to share my tips.

Knitting Tip No. 3

Knitting with brushed mohair is different from knitting with a standard yarn so here are my tips which I hope will be helpful: always use circular needles; use needles that have a very sharp point and a smooth join; always sit in good lightening; leave a dish of corn starch or talcum powder at your side to keep your fingers smooth and dry; knit loosely; and never knit while trying to watch TV or carry on a conversation as frogging (i.e. ripping back knitting) brushed mohair is something to be avoided, if at all possible.


I knit this scarf in soft tones that remind me of Spring. The green yarn is Colinette parisienne Kid Mohair (moss colorway) and the cream color is Rowan Kidsilk Haze (ice cream colorway). I used US 6 needles, 2 skeins (1 in each colorway) and the finished, unblocked, dimensions are 11 inches by 55 inches.

17 comments:

Bridget said...

Absolutely gorgeous!

Your photos of your FOs are always so well done - seriously, it's like looking at one of the eye candy magazines.

The scarf seems like something that you would/could wear anywhere, with anything. Enjoy!

Denise said...

That looks absolutely gorgeous on you , how long did it take to knit? And did you carry the yarn up as you changed colors?
I have a skein of Lana Borgosesia cashwool lace and don't know what to do with it! Got it for a scarf but changed my mind.

Anonymous said...

I second everything Bridget says! It's beautiful. Wonderful, wonderful job.

Monika said...

Fabulous! Love the pictures and thanks for the tips! I have on huge ball of mohair not knowing what to do with it. It's colorful dyed (not by me) and I've not found the right pattern for it.
Back to you and your gorgeous shawl. It looks like one can wear it at many occacions, not just for special ones, that's a bonus in my opinion. In short, I love it! :o)

Windyridge said...

Gorgeous! How is brushed mohair different from regular mohair? Having two walking mohair animals in stock I find myself wondering how I can knit that pattern with in-house mohair.

Anonymous said...

Lovely! Thanks too for the tips; I've yet to knit with brushed mohair, so lesson learned. I don't knit lace unless I'm alone in the house, with only the dogs.

jillian said...

Beautiful!! I am convinced more and more that sometimes the most simple patterns, in the right yarn, make the most beautiful knits. Love the colors!

Hilary said...

It's absolutely gorgeous!!! I love the colors you chose and it looks extremely chic with your all-black outfit.

sittin and knittin said...

Nice Job Claudia!
The soft colors look great on you.
I really like Feather and Fan...it can be used so successfully on a variety of projects.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful scarf! The pattern shows so well with the two colors you chose.

amanda said...

Beautiful! And good advice. I've avoided mohair recently, but perhaps your tips will motivate me to try again....

Ally Jay said...

Beautiful, delicate and feminine yet with style. Oh so many things to knit

Anonymous said...

It is beautiful! So delicate and lovely on you.

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Anonymous said...

Never used brushed mohair but I really like the mohair that I have worked with. As usual, you have a lovely FO.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I love this scarf and the colors are really nice.
Thanks for sharing useful tips!
FrAn

knittingdragonflies said...

This makes me go OHHHHH, and want to reach into the screen and touch it. How pretty and timeless! I love it with the black outfit it makes it "pop".
Lovely beyond words!!
Vicki