Scarf Love...

All those scarves I made over the holidays to present as gifts, and all the scarves I created last year...Can you tell I love making them? I love wearing them, too!
I saw my friend, Krisann last night when the yarnies all gathered at Books-A-Million. She hadn't been there for a while because she's been attending evening classes to become a certified massage therapist. (Congrats on your recent certification, KA!) It was so nice seeing her again, and she surprised me with a belated birthday gift. Inside her wrapped package was this lovely, soft pink scarf...FOR ME!!!

Remember, that I love drawing out my Birthday celebrations as long as possible. Thanks to my girlfriend, my last celebration lasted 53 days! A new record has been established!

My new scarf features a modified pineapple design, and she said it's called the small strawberry. Delicious! I wore it all night, and the rest of the gals loved it as much as I did. Thank you, Krisann, for this lovely scarf from your own, talented hands. It's my newest treasure!
I have to share this great new scarf book with you, too! Ocean Breezes by Sheryl Thies. It's chock-full of beautiful scarves with designs inspired by the sea. I have a favorite already, and can't wait to work on this design...
Starfish motifs embellish the center of this scarf. Isn't it pretty? I'm imagining an organic cotton yarn in a soft, natural sand color. Ok, I know...add it to the list, right? Right! I can't help it. It's officially "Scarf Love".

Something Warm For Charity...

Our Books A Million yarny group has been creating scarves, hats and mittens for less fortunate kids in Appalachia. This is my first piece to donate to this cause.

I completed my scarf Monday so that I could add it to the rest of the creations on Tuesday night. Then I grabbed my current work in progress, some yarn to share with the gals for the project, and ran out the door - without my scarf! Aaaarrrggghhh!

I knit it in Rio de la Plata hand spun 100% wool. I love how the pattern just revealed itself as I knit back and forth. I know it t will help keep someone warm this winter, but first I have to get it to the gal who's collecting all our donations for that to happen. Man, I can't believe I left it behind tonight!

I'll be taking it out to her tomorrow to be added to the rest for our first shipment North, and then my plan is to make a few pairs of mittens and a couple of hats during the next few weeks to contribute, too.

If you're interested in donating a cap, pair of mittens or a scarf, please email me. I'll let you know how you can send your contribution to me so we can add it to our upcoming shipments. They can be knit, crocheted or sewn (polar fleece is perfect for sewing). Anything to keep the kids warm!

My First Online Tutorial...

I just finished uploading my first video tutorial. It's for the Beaded Fringe Scarf design from Deanna's Vintage Styles.

A few of my "away" buddies asked how to transfer the beads from the hank to the yarn to begin knitting the scarf, and it was easier to do a video than to travel to where each of them live to show them, hence the birth of my video tutorial!

In just under ten minutes, it will take the viewer from the materials list through to the knitting process. You knitters will have to take it from there...but you all know how to knit, so this will be easy. The scarf is a quick and elegant project, perfect for gifts for friends and loved ones. I hope you enjoy the video. Be sure to let me know what you think!

I said to use size 9 needles in the tutorial...you should use size 3 if you're using the fingering weight yarns called for on the pattern.

Note: You can purchase the pattern for this scarf, along with the prestrung beads directly from Deanna's Vintage Styles at http://www.vintagestyles.com The items do not show on her site, because she doesn't want to compete with LYSs, but if you call or email them, they are very gracious about getting a list of the bead colors to you so you can make your selection and purchase. The pattern and beads are also available from DreamWeavers Yarn online shop at http://www.dreamweaveryarns.com, and they are also happy to special order beads from Deanna's for you if you know which color you want.

Also: I've made the title of this post a link to the video, but I've also added a link under "My Video Tutorials" on the left column (right under my Blog Archive) for this and future teaching videos.