Posted under Gifts and Charity & scarves
Finally Done!
After much fussing about fiddly fringe, I finally bound off the scarf for my great-aunt and attached said fiddly-foo-ments. Many thanks to my friend Wendy M. for her patience on the phone with me while I cursed at the little bits of string that would not obey my instant wishes. One thing’s for sure, the Yarn Goddess above was surely smiling upon me as I worked the finally magics on this scarf as I used every last bit of yarn for the fringe.
Pattern: Shifting Sands by Grumperina
Yarn: Andean Silk from Knit Picks in Hyacinth
Needles: size 4.5mm or 7US
Start Date: December 3, 2006
End Date: December 18, 2006
None of the pictures above portray the actual colour of the scarf, try as I might my camera decided to get fiddly with me today as well, but I love the colour of this yarn and the feel of this yarn. It’s buttery soft and silky to the touch. It was wonderful to work with and I think the recipient of this scarf will love it.
Also, my scarf doesn’t much look like Grumperina’s scarf either, but I’m happy with this stitch pattern as it gives an interesting texture and it’s fun to work. I got to try a new technique by cabling without a cable needle and it was a lot of fun to try. Though I doubt I’ll cable without a needle in finer gauge yarns, I do think it’s good to know for heavier yarns.
I’m already making another scarf in this pattern with sport weight wool so obviously I think this pattern deserves two thumbs up! Her instructions are clear and concise. The graph is easy to read. If you’ve never tried a cable pattern, then I would give this pattern a try. You’ll definitely get your practice in as I believe there are over 2,000 cables in this scarf. It sounds tedious, but it’s really a fast knit.
Sticks & String!
To help you get through your own tedious holiday knitting, if you have any that is, I recommend a new podcast that’s on the scene. It’s Sticks and Strings by David Reidy. My friend Jeanne told me about it in the comments and so I wandered on over there today and I’ve already listened to about 3 of his shows so far.
David has some great insights on knitting from the male perspective as well as knitting from a brave and unfettered point of view that I admire greatly. His first project was the Torino 2006 sweater and anyone who is undaunted by a sweater such as that for a project, much less their very first project, deserves admiration and kudos all around. So take a listen to him if you get a chance. His Australian accent is certainly enticing and does not hurt the ears. *grin*
Speaking of Fair Isle knitting, I have ordered yarn for the Pirate hat and mittens from Hello Yarn’s Free Pattern section. I am excited as a kid on Christmas eve at the thought of these projects being offered up to me and I can’t remember when the last time I was this thrilled with the prospect of a knitting project.
Bah Humbug!
The only thing that dampens my mood is an unauthorized charge on my debit card for a ridiculous amount to some ridiculous place online that I’ve never heard of. I’ve started the dispute process with my bank, but I will not be refunded the money until their investigation is concluded. It’s a damn good thing that the yarn for the hat and mittens were only $1.99 a ball. I shan’t mention the name of my bank’s name in case of liability issues. I’d hate to be sued by them for defamation of character because I’d like defame their character all over the Internets, but do be careful when shopping online. I’ll be looking into getting a credit card tomorrow for my online purchases instead of using a debit card. If not I’ll be looking into a new bank. I’m very tempted to say bah humbug to the rest of the holiday season, but I’m trying to keep the faith.
Barb on 18 Dec 2006 at 5:12 pm #
Wow that was a quick knit! Very pretty color. Hope the back dispute settles easily for you.
grumperina on 18 Dec 2006 at 7:54 pm #
What a gorgeous scarf! Not sure how you modified the stitch pattern, but I think it comes across as well as the original.
debbie on 18 Dec 2006 at 8:28 pm #
love the scarf! hope things work out ok with that debit card issue - oh, btw - you’ve been tagged for the 6 weird things meme - check my blog….
Jeanne on 18 Dec 2006 at 11:39 pm #
The scarf is just beautiful - and it makes me want to go start one now! I’ll also have to check out the yarn - gotta love Knit Picks! Sorry to hear about your debit card issue - that happened to my husband a few months ago. We do check our statement now all the time - hope yours works out quickly.
lobstah on 19 Dec 2006 at 4:00 am #
The scarf is sooo beautiful! I need a new scarf and I think I might like this pattern…though probably can’t do it until next winter (too many other projects right now).
That’s totally crappy about the debit card. I hope it gets all worked out. I highly recommend getting a credit card instead–it’s much safer, and you just have to be careful to not spend more than you can pay off in full each month. I have a rewards card that I get $25 cash back for every $2,500 spent on the card. So every year I get 50 to 100 bucks back…not a ton of money but still a good bonus!
Jane on 19 Dec 2006 at 4:01 am #
Your scarf came out really beautiful! Thanks for the wonderful suggestions for project and the info on the podcast. I have not had problems with debit card purchase as I mostly use Pay Pal, but I did have unauthorized purchses on my credit card which was caught by the Visa people. I was not charged and they issued me a new card.Good luck with the bank! Happy Holidays!
Robbyn on 19 Dec 2006 at 5:16 am #
Lovely, lovely scarf - you say that’s not the “true” color. I hope it’s close because it’s a VERY eye-pleasing shade (well, my eye, anyways).
Do keep the faith - it isn’t worth losing your holiday spirit. Crossed fingers that things work out for you!
Meredith on 19 Dec 2006 at 9:11 am #
The scarf is fabulous! I know the “true” color so I know how lovely it is in real life. Have you had a look at the big swell on the south shore? How odd to have it in the winter! Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hauoli Makahiki Hou! (Eat some homemade Hawaii New Year’s goodies for me!)
Jenny Raye on 19 Dec 2006 at 1:29 pm #
Love the scarf!!! Something in Andean silk is on my list for something for me. Just need to decide what.
About the online credit card thing. Discover offers a secure # for online purchases. You can get a new one for each new purchase. I like it, but don’t know how it works. Hope the fraudlent debit from your account is resolved quickly.
Roseann on 19 Dec 2006 at 3:32 pm #
I’m very sorry to hear about your debit card difficulties and I look forward to hearing about its quick and painless resolution.
I enjoyed the Knit Picks Swish yarn and appreciate your review of the Andean silk for your stunning scarf. Your Pirate Hat & Mittens should be fun to knit, can’t wait till they are “bloggable”.
Veronica on 19 Dec 2006 at 3:52 pm #
I want to make the same pirate hat…. you should let me get the yarn and we can KAL! :)
Kate on 20 Dec 2006 at 12:54 pm #
Lovely scarf, and a very nice colour. And I also want you a very nice and quiet Christmas with your family.
Holly Burnham on 21 Dec 2006 at 6:11 am #
The color of that scarf is stunning. Great job, she’ll love it!
Have a Happy Holiday!
Debi on 22 Dec 2006 at 11:43 am #
Hi-
I came here from Grumerina’s scarf gallery - love your scarf!! Also I wanted to comment on your recent fradulant charge on your credit card - truthfully less than 2% of these crimes occur via info sent over the net. They actually occur from stolen mail with tell-tale info throw into the trash without being shredded OR by random # generator! The thieves have computer programs that do nothing but make # combinations and when they hit on one that “goes thru” the theives are off and running, charging up a storm as fast as they can. The reason they get caught is because the # generator doesn’t provide them with the occompaning verifying info like addresses and security codes - this is what usually alerts the bank! Unfortunately I know all this because this is exactly how it happend to me! So getting a new credit card probably wont prevent another occurance…just make sure you use only secure sites and keep a close eye on your balances to know if something fishy is going on. Sadly in today’s world the waiter or sales clerk you “freely” give your card # to is just as likely to steal the # as any online hacker. Good luck and happy holiday!!
Debi on 22 Dec 2006 at 11:44 am #
PS - Sorry for all the typos, I really am quite literate :)
the Akamai Knitter » Catching up… on 27 Dec 2006 at 2:24 am #
[...] My debit card debacle, which you all might recall from an earlier post. [...]
the Akamai Knitter » Weekend Wrap Up on 16 Jan 2007 at 12:45 pm #
[...] This yarn was great to work with and even though it was a bit boring to do this scarf a second time in a row, it was a great project to take along with me to my knitting meetings. Unlike the first Shifting Sands, this will eventually be blocked then mailed off to Tacoma, Washington to my Great-Aunt Eleanor. [...]