Whose scarf is it going to be?

I finished Wayfarer and I loved knitting it. I did not even flinch when Jared told me to knit another 30 inches of the same two rows. I measured every inch of the scarf to make up the 76 inches recommended. And when I finally blocked it (across the whole landing), I wondered... Was it really for me? Isn't it a bit too masculine for me? No, no, no, two attempts and one solid week of knitting later, and all I could think is whether it is for me, seriously???

The colour is definitely me, I am liking more and more the yellow/brown blends (Rowan Silk Twist). But the garter stitch and lack of lacework... not sure it is for me.

Don't get me wrong it is a beautiful scarf, cozy, long, perfect for the autumn. That is in fact why I wanted to knit it. I also learnt a lot from the pattern (turbular cast on anyone? and turbular bind off!). I love the stitch over two rows and the edging (so clean). The pattern is SO clear, so well-written. Honestly it was a great project. I did not change a thing (needles size:5mm).


So I reckon this one should stay at home but should be my husband's. Anyway he keeps saying that I make scarves that are too short for him (it is totally true, I usually get bored and bind off). I can still borrow it some days... It does look good.

PS: Thanks to M for taking the pictures and be patient with the model...

FO and UFOs

Hiya guys!! Happy Wednesday. I am back in England! I am debating whether I should be unpacking my bag or leaving it as it is for my next trip (Sunday) to Zurich - save for the dirty washing, obviously... More hotel weirdness to come? I wonder... Anyway I am not here to talk about business travelling, but to talk about my projects - ok, my progress on my projects. FO: Finished Object (note the use of the singular); UFOs: Unfinished Object (yes, you've got it plural).

Started a year ago, making progress very sllllooowly (hence for winter)

I was doing really well, until I ran out of white fabric yarn. I need to create some more.

By the way, it is much harder than it looks.

Started in the spring, half way through, and going.
The result will be amazing, when I get there.

I finished the necklace I talked about here...
Love it, so easy to wear (note, I had to use some jewellery glue)

So what are you up to guys? What are you current projects? Are you inspired to take up a new craft for the winter...

Noas' Libellule How-to {The IKAT scarf}

Hiya guys! How is everyone doing? As promised yesterday, here is a quick tutorial for the IKAT scarf I showed you yesterday - in 4 steps.

1. Choosing the fabric and sewing your scarf. I decided to have a double-sided scarf, the measurements were roughly based on apashmina I have. I like my scarfs quite big. So you basically saw together two rectangular pieces of fabric. Easy, peasy.

2. Comes the trickiest part, but I think that is more to do with the fabric rather than a need for super-dooper skills. You go girl! has THE tutorial that you need to check out to make a firm foundation for your crochet edge. She tells you where to mark where to sew (I was half an inch from the border) and uses he blanket stitch. I used some pink Rowan cotton yarn I had. Originally the edge was supposed to be all pink... I did not keep the edge pink but kept the blanket stitching which makes it a bit more interesting.

3. The Crochet edge. I made it up, although I am sure it does exist out there: 1sc, 2dc, trc, ch5, slst in first stitch at the bottom of your chain (picot), 2dc, 1sc. I want a sort of triangular effect with a little loop so that I could easily add the pompoms. It is easy, but it does get your wrist, so beware. The green 'spruce' yarn is from babylonglegs which I bought a little while ago.

4. My favourite part - making pompoms with a fork. It is, I think, fairly obvious how I did it from the images below (do not hesitate to contact me if it is not obvious).. This is super easy - I did it in the car on our way to last weekend's wedding! I did 15 rounds around the fork. Make sure that all the ends are secure though...

So here we are 4 steps to a brand new scarf! Let me know if you get inspired and do one for yourself! I am sure you have some stash somewhere that you could use!

{IKAT - Buy it or Make it?} Noas' Libellule obsession

Hiya Guys! Two posts in two days, whoohoo! This is THE post I have been very excited about on twitter. It is the start of a new feature that combines two of my favourite things: shopping and making things!

This week I want to talk about IKAT. In London, the weather has been shocking in July, and it is a real shame, because IKAT screams summer. But you need to have faith guys, we still have August and September. So here is a sample of what you could buy, and honestly I could buy it all (well, in my head, because my purse is telling me non, non, non - clearly, my purse is French).

1. IKAT Lila Bedlinen, Zara Home; 2. Basket, Zara Home; 3. John Robshaw IKAT Cushion, Idyll Home; 4. Tibi Istanbul Ikat-print silk dress; 5.Two-tone IKAT scarf, Matthew Williamson; 6. Ikat Lime Green Pillow, Etsy; 7. IKAT mini-bowl, Anthropologie; 8. Tinalak Clutch, Anthropologie

So what is it going to be? The Matthew Williamson scarf (on sale!!!) or the Anthro clutch (on sale too!!)... But wait... Did I mention making it? Yes I did. Before you ring up your bank to up your limit on your credit card, check out these 3 projects.

Red, Blonde and Burlap made their IKAT fabric with only a sponge and acrylic paint. This is really awesome, and sounds super easy. That number 6 cushion, in your living room right now, done with your own creative hands!


Ok, guys, so you may be a bit more advanced than I am. And I think you will love OurFifthHouse IKAT drapes made with a stencil that she bought. Carmel has a lot of tips about the painting fabric. I actually saw that tutorial back in March when I was looking new curtains. And love going back to it. So clever!


Finally, for the most advanced of you guys. And I know some of few are really good at this sort of thing, Elizabeth at the Mustard Ceiling is showing you how to make your own stencil and her fabric tutorial. This tutorial has been featured in Design*Sponge. Mais oui! The result looks amazing. One day, it will be me showing my new chairs... One day..


So will you buy it or make it?? So it is all well and good to be stalking other bloggers (if you have a 100 hits on one page in one day, it is probably me), but what have I been doing? Do I believe in this trend or not? I do, and it seems that my parents did as well, 15 years ago when they came back from Thailand with some IKAT fabric. Honestly I had forgotten all about it (I mean 15 years!!!). But when I came across it recently (a bit of a spring clean is ALWAYS useful!), I found the perfect fabric for a new scarf. You will see, with one of the most flattering pictures of me (I really do not like being in front of the camera), my own IKAT scarf. I will show you tomorrow how I did it, and making pompoms with a fork...



PS: Thanks to the girls to let me feature their tutorials! Guys, I hope you enjoyed it!

M's scarf

I finally get a chance to post some pictures of the scarf I knitted for M's birthday... finished a bit of time ago bu was still very late for his birthday.

I used 4mm needles, it is an easy 1x1 ribbing pattern, 2 rows for each colour. I used a whole skein of the Sirdar Denim Tweed DK (Shade 0644) and (probably) half a skein of the Opal Hundertwasser (sock) yarn. The scarf is not really wide (35 stitches wide) but if I were to make one for myself I would probably make it wider.

I really like the colour effect, and it is a great project to take in the car (until we got lost and I had to focus on reading the map). But it is a bit boring.

Did you notice my favourite mug in the background (made by yours truly), very wonky but I love it! Off to Zurich in a couple of hours, so better get packing...