Knittin' Pretty

Until the weather decides to be consistently glorious, I'm sticking to some indoor pastimes like knitting and reading. As I've mentioned in another post, I've been knitting for several years, since my dear friend Anna taught me the craft. Today, I'm going to share my favorite projects, easy-peasy ones that I make all the time and would be perfect for any beginner. (If you're just starting out, here's a tutorial from Hobby Lobby.)

Now I am not at all claiming to be an expert at knitting. I have friends who can knit and crochet circles around me - sweaters, afghans, you name it. They read patterns as fluently as I used to read molecular formulas (there was this one time I got a bachelor's degree in biology...) Someday, I'd dream of whipping up a Fair Isle sweater like you see on the cover of Vogue Knitting, but until then, I just aimlessly knit because it's a relaxing thing to do.

Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either. ~ Elizabeth Zimmermann

So without further ado, these are my default "patterns." Very basic and open to interpretation. Have fun and make it your own!

Giant Cowl Scarf

I've made these in just about every color and they are perfect for burrowing your face in during the cold months.

Yarn - Lion Brand Hometown USA or Homespun Thick and Quick (or comparable super bulky, 6-weight yarn)

1. Cast on about 30 stitches, or however wide you want the scarf to be.

2. Knit one row.

3. Purl one row.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the scarf is long enough to wrap around your neck.

5. Bind off and weave in loose tails using a large plastic needle.

6. Lay the scarf out on a flat surface. Pick up one short end, twist once and seam to the other short end of piece. (We're essentially creating a Möbius strip here.)

The "Spectacular" Dishcloth

After quick bread, dishcloths are probably my most-given homemade gift for friends and family. I usually making two in a matching color scheme and tie them together in a cute bundle.

Yarn - Sugar 'n Cream (or comparable 100% cotton yarn)

1. Cast on 25 stitches.

2. Knit every row until the piece is square.

3. Bind off and weave in loose tails.

And before I sign off, here's a humorous sentiment about knitting. :)

In the nineteenth century, knitting was prescribed to women as a cure for nervousness and hysteria. Many new knitters find this sort of hard to believe because, until you get good at it, knitting seems to cause those ailments. The twitch above my right eye will disappear with knitting practice. ~Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Thank you for stopping by,

Eva