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Finally, Some Knitting Photos

mrjohnsonbrowndetail.jpg I’ve been knitting away, the whole almost-three weeks I’ve been less than chipper, on a scarf which will be a gift to the man who taught me to knit. He has not seen me in at least 25 years so he is not expecting this in the least, and there is no deadline other than I really feel a thank you is in order.

The yarn has the oddest name! It is called “Australian Merinos.” It sounds like a herd of sheep rather than a ball of yarn. However, it is a most wonderful, smooth and soft yarn, and is the result of a many-month search for the perfect yarn for this gift.

I would have loved to make him an alpaca scarf but unless you know the laundry habits of the household, washable is the kindest choice. The yarn I picked is shrink resistant and that seems right. (I got this yarn from Threadbear Fiberarts, for those who will ask… the price tag says Stampato and the yarn says King. Beats me.)

australianmerinos.jpgThe color is perfect (on my monitor the scarf detail is closer to the real color than the ball of yarn image. nearly dark chocolate). He’s a good Norwegian, and I remember sort of reddish-blonde hair with fair skin (mind you, he was my teacher in 1969 although I’ve seen him a few times since that).

The yarn has maybe five strands of two-ply yarn, then plied together into one very smooth almost tube-like yarn. I think two are a dark chocolate brown, one is a charcoal, and two are variegated between darker brown, camel and medium silver-gray. The changing colors make it sort of reflect light in a wonderful way. I really wanted something with at least a speck of camel, I just have a sense that is a good color on him.

I am using the Steam reversible rib scarf pattern (if you click the link, mine is the third scarf), option B which has a three-stitch garter edge on both sides. The only change I made is that I am slipping the first stitch on each row to make a sort of chain stitch on the edge rather than that little bump that happens in garter stitch if you knit every stitch. It’s mostly a K2P2 rib, but every 12th row I have to cross 8 stitches in either one or two places on the row. Then I get to relax and do K2P2 ribbing for another 11 rows. My kind of pattern!

Rae is making a Steam scarf right now in a very fluffy lightweight (probably a laceweight) mohair (hers is the second scarf on the same patterns page) with no edge stitch. It’s very lacy and feminine and the edges have curves like we women do, soft and lovely. The edge I am using makes it more straight and controlled on the edge, which works with the denser fabric I’m producing, and I think it is a great option for at least this particular man.

I think the project looks a lot like bark on a tree. It is really beautiful and very springy/soft. I’m working on size 4 ebony needles that were a gift to me from my Mother-in-Law (who inherited them from a friend if I have the story right). They are luscious to work with. I almost never work on straight single-pointed needles so it is great this time I can use them. Luxury.

3 Responses to “Finally, Some Knitting Photos”

  1. Mom Says:

    Oh Lynnie, I know he will be so pleased. I saw him a few years ago and he looks the same except for a little less hair. He still has that wonderful smile. I am happy for both of you. Hugs, Mom

  2. Karla Says:

    Lynn, That yarn is beautiful! I bet my hubby would love a sweater ont of that!

  3. Rob Says:

    The yarn is from Needful Yarns (distributor) and the company is Filtes King. It is labeled “Australian Merinos” but is colloquially called (by them and in patterns) “Stampato”. Stampato is more accurately the way the yarn is colored/spun with the tweeded effect.

    Help?