Steve's Scarf Pattern.

Some Quick and Easy Scarves

You can see another larger version of this pattern Here . That I have made for "Scarf Pal" Amanda as a participant in the "International Scarf Exchange 9" for 2010, which has been great fun.

Steve’s Scarf Pattern

This pattern came out of my head, I have done my best to put it down on paper and have posted it here.

It takes a little concentration to get started as you build up to the number of stitches that you require for the width of the scarf. A narrower scarf, like the one above, is worked with 31 stitches cast on. The broarder the scarf you want, the more stitches you build through the casting on process. Given this, the pattern will work with any odd number of stitches the width is not fixed so you can go from necktie to pashmina wrap size.

I have never written down a knitting pattern so if there are any glitches let me know and I will attempt to correct them. 

The pattern will also adjust to any yarn size by adjusting the needle size accordingly. I am, as you may have gathered a bit of an experimenter and so tend to go with the flow and tend not to get too bogged down in exact replicas of others work.

So here goes..

In the example above I have used a 100g ball of 8ply 100% Acrylic yarn and 7 mm needles.

 As an example I have worked up to 55 stitches with casting on, but you can decrease or increase this number  to suit your own project so long as you end up with an odd number of stitches on your needle forming the triangle...

To begin...

Cast on 3 stitches, turn

K 3, turn

Increase 1 in first stitch, K1, Inc 1 in last stitch, turn

K 5, turn

K1, inc 1 in 2^nd stitch, K1, inc 1 in 2^nd last stitch, K1 turn

K row of 7 stitches, turn

K1, inc in next stitch, K to 2^nd last stitch from end of row. Inc 1, K1, turn

K row of 9 stitches, turn

Continue working * K1, inc 1 stitch in second stitch, K to second last stitch, Inc 1 stitch, K1, turn

Knit 1 row, turn*

Repeat from *to* until there are 55 stitches on the needle.

You should now have a large triangle below the needle.

To create the corner:

**K 1, Inc 1 in next stitch, K to end of row (56 st), turn

K 1, Knit 2 together, K to end of row, (55 st), turn**

Hint: Remember, you are increasing by one stitch in at the beginning of one row then decreasing by one stitch at the beginning of the next row this way the number of stitches remains the same as you work the length of the scarf

Repeat from * to * until desired length is reached.

To finish :

K1, K2 together, K to end of row, (54 st), Turn

K1, K2 together, K to 3^rd last stitch, K 2 together, K 1 (52 st), turn

K1, K2 together, K to end of row (51 st), turn

K1, K2 together, K to 3^rd last stitch, K 2 together, K 1 (49st), turn

K1, K2 together, K to end of row (48 st) turn

***K1, K2 together, K to 3^rd last stitch, K 2 together, K 1 (46st), turn

K1, K2 together, K to end of row (45 st). turn***

Continue working from*** to*** until 7 stitches remain on the needle

Turn work

K1, K2 together, K1, K2 together, K1, (5st), turn

K2 together, K1, K2 together, (3 st) turn

Cast off remaining stitches. Sew in loose ends.

Hopefully you will now have something resembling a scarf... Good luck!



Magpie Tale #45

She holds the child... protecting

Surrounding candles lit... reflecting

Earnest prayers their words... inflecting

Of sins... rejecting

Magpie Tale #44

Lovingly crafted from rough hewn wood

Saw, plane and sandpaper, Gee Dad was good

Hours he spent in honing this craft

Knowing each of his children and how we would laugh.

Sitting atop to await being towed..

by Dad, all rugged up.. along icy road.

Finally locating the hard frozen pond

Then building memories for years and beyond

With a big push from Dad  off we would go

Flying over the pond, surrounded by snow

With the wind in our hair and the ice rushing past

Holding on for grim death.. this ride could be our last.

With Dad keeping watch, making sure we were fine

The blades cutting crisply clean ice in dual line

But the craft would soon slow and then pause to a halt

And we three would all beg for another assault

"Go faster this time Dad"  for we are not scared

 "Hold on tight then" he'd cry.. as if we'd not dared 

With another great push we'd soon be in full flight

skating over the ice almost way out of sight

 And again to a gentle stop soon we would come.

Looking round spotting Dad and then spying Mum

 Watching Mum pour the thermos, we'd all shout with glee 

Hot chocolate! For "me" and for "me" and for "me"  

A new handbag...

This is the latest handbag I've been making

It is in a shiny grey fabric that changes tone with the light

It is all fully lined with a contrasting satin print

And a pocket section... The handles have been lengthened so that the bag will sit snugly between the hip and elbow.

It has a magnetic clasp with a little extra "Bling" in black on the tab.

It is to be a gift for a friend of my Mum's  who is having a birthday...

She is a lady that has a lot of silver and black in her wardrobe so I think that  this sold be a very fitting addition...



I  hope she likes it

Magpie Tale #26

Mates...

Watering me garden's meditation for the soul,

Standing quietly sprinkling water, well it makes it makes a man feel whole

To wach the little seedlings, all burgeoning with life

Helps to rid the dramas of the day, and a welcome break from wife  

I tend to sense the gratitude, as water trickles down
Giving tired roots a soaking 'neath a heated sun kissed ground
 My reward is in their blooming, every single one.
Lifting heads in pride, to show off colours in the sun.

Though my can is old and rusted, it still holds it's water well
Though the paints all chipped and peeling off,  look close, and you can tell
Family offered me a new one, for a gift a good while back
I scratched me head and thought a bit, and then I answered back

"What would be the point of that? Old can and me's just fine
We've grown together over years, best mates at watering time
Why the youngsters we have grown together, germinated all from seed
Seems a shame to break tradition, No. A new one I'll not need"

 In the evenings you will find me down the backyard till it's late
 Meditating in me garden with me trusty watering mate.
And when our watering days are over, well here's the funny thing
I'll put me mate back in the garden shed, at least until next Spring.

Magpie Tale #27

The Plumbers Lament

"Hand me that there wrench boy" said the plumber on his knees..

'And hurry up about it... what you waitin' for... a please"

"In my day you'd anticipate... or the boss would cuff  your ear"

Young blokes these days just arn't keen ya know... I must be gettin on in years

Oh they're right to stand round textin' to there filly or their mates

But when it comes to learnin' trade... they're busy standing round in wait

Yet they all line up on payday... real quick holdin out their hand

Can't remember much of weekend.."Got too drunk"...Well aint it grand 

Well  I do feel like a mother with a spoon held in me hand

 Feedin' babes me pearls of wisdom... but they just don't understand.

And as for gettin dirty on the job well heven knows..

 I laughs them running round in panic when there's crap all on their clothes.

And half ain't got the stomach for the job... or so it seems.."

"Wantin' water pipes and taps... or... lofty airconditioned dreams"

I hate to think the outcome when called to clear a blocked up loo"
"I can see 'em now.."Call a Plumber mate" 'cos I don't know what to do"

Magpie Tale #43

It Begins...

Cold chills stone with lowering degrees

Ice creeps silently into mortar making it her glassy home

Snow settles inconsiderately on unsuspecting roof. Interloping and burdensome.

Wind blusters southward in her seasonal dispatch, happy to serve cold

Steps disappear shivering under layers of hardening white nuisance

Winter settles smugly, surveying her frosted realm



Potluck Poetry...Week 12

Potluck Poetry
Theme

"Nature: Plants, Creatures and the Cosmos"


Tendrils...

 New life springs forth unfurling, spiral upward seeking light 

Fragile feathery filigree yearning support

Slowly un-coils to strengthen, reaches out to lengthen
Searching for lifes grip, finding purchase in your wicked meanderings


Exquisite bud take bloom, attract bee as your innocent abetter
Fertile seeded pod ensures continuance

Strangulating competition in attritions war

Beware all others to your ultimate endeavour...

Succession Planning

My entry for this weeks "Poetry Potluck 12" at Jingle Poetry.

Click on the link in the side bar to join in or just have a good read of other poets with real talent

Magpie Tale # 20

The tale of the toothbrush

"Grab another toothbrush and come help me with this grout

If we work 'em both together then the stains they will come out

And your father well he'll never know how bad I tipped the paint
Took him years to get to groutin' quite the craftsman... well he aint"

"Well the argments I had with him to get this tiling done
All the carping and the sniping hell it wern't a lot of fun
But your Old Ma here... she has her ways... of getting him to do.
Though the last time I employed them... well..we ended up with you!"

"Funny how time passes... you forget the little things
Holdin hands and walking in the park... and sitting on the swings
Oh your Pa, he charmed me silly with his funny little ways
Oh heck there's so much water passed ... since we had them salad days"

"That's right just scrub it up and down and wipe it with the cloth
With a little bit of elbow grease... the paint... she will come off
And your Pa well he'll be drunk.. again... from pub when he gets in
And if I don't have his dinner set... you know he'll make a din"

"Now you keep scrubbin there me love... just like your Old Ma showed
Your a good help to your mother.. oh my goodness how you've growed
And your Pa, he'll hardly notice when he comes in through the door
That both of us spent half the day... with toothbrush on the floor"...


I'm slowly working my way through older Magpie Tale Prompts and posting them here on my blog.
Please feel free to check them out and offer your feedback, because as a "newbie" to writing Poetry I appreciate any feedback or tips that you might offer.
Thank you again Steve...

Magpie Tale #28

Ah to feel 'ot water it really is a treat

Makes ya feel just like a lady, laying back to soak ya feet

What things I can get up to, while the Mistress is away

And though she's such a pussycat,  mice still come out to play..

So of'en I have dreamed about, while laying on me bed

That I could play the Mistress... be all lah de dah instead..

All them laces and them petticoats the powders an' perfumes

  'er pretty frocks and bonnets worn... in fancy halls and rooms.

 I'd 'ave such a grand old time, I would be "Lady" Geraldine...

To all the lords an gentry... likes of me they never seen

I'd be 'oldin out me hand...  to wait for all of 'em to kiss

 Then 'ead for all the feast an drinkin... Oh 'ow it would be bliss

But the likes of me a lady... well that just aint gonna be

No...I laughs meselve's just thinkin... till I nearly has to pee

Well this water's gone all cold now and a chill's come in room

And the Misstress will be 'ome soon... and I'm wrinkled as a prune.

Now I best be gettin back to playin, just plain old Geraldine

I am the Mistress' chambermaid... to be spoken at not seen...

But I does enjoy me sneaky times of dreamin in ers' bath

"Lady Geraldine" Gawd 'elp me... Don't make me ruddy laugh.

Magpie Tale#17

All the worlds a stage...

Project! Project! Miss Dunlop

Oh It's really Quite absurd

How you've set your mind on Broadway

Though your voice, it can't be heared!

They must hear it in the Gods my dear 

And carry to the stalls

If only you'd project my dear

Your voice could rattle walls

Although it's quite appealing

 But too quiet I'm afraid

For a mouse with lofty longings

Well, your plans will be waylayed

And although you crave the limelight

I do fear it must be said...

Miss Dunlop learn projection dear

Else all fame's in your head.. 

[via]



I'm just working my way at random through some of the Past Prompts from

Magpie Tales...

Feel free to continue to leave a comments
Best Regards Steve

Magpie Tale #42

***Warning this verse may contain just a smidgen of vulgarity***....

(If you are offended I appologise in advance....)

"My cup runneth over" said the Spider to the Fly

"It has been such a long time since a dinner guest called by"

"What is on the menu?" asked the Fly of the Spider

"I'd like a piece of carrot cake and perhaps a mug of cider?"

"Cake and mug of cider" laughed the Spider to the Fly

"You'll be getting none of that... Though 'tis a meal for which to die"

"It wont be nothing fancy then?" enquired Fly of Spider 

"I guess I'll leave it up to you, I'll have what you decider" 

"There are many things" the spider chimed  "On which we both could feast".

"The rotting flesh of carrion" or "Five day old dead beast."

"There may be fruit gone moulded or sandwiches left waste"

"But I'm a rather descerning spider of very perculiar taste"

"You're  a very welcome diner" said the spider to the fly

"So many choices on the menu, now that you can't deny" 

"And while you've sat there patiently, well here's the funny thing"

"I've decided that for Luncheon we'll have someting on the wing"

"My minds made up" the Spider cried a dancing on eight feet

"You're on the menu Darling! It's you I'm going to eat."

A look of horror crossed the face of fly, now truly stuck.

I'm on the menu?... You cant mean? Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck...

[via]

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Just Clickerate on the link below..

Potluck Poetry...Week 10

This weeks potluck theme is

Magic & Miracles, Wonder & Wizardry

[via]

 

Cold dark moor
Spider and Rat
Scrying over crystal ball
 Witch and Cat

Fairie lights lantern
Gnarled bough of tree
Frog chasing Goblin
By pond on knee

All wonder and magic...
Of spell being cast
Call forth the blessings...
Of ancients past

Crone and sidekick
 Swirling misted hill
 Muttered incantation
  Bend ones will

Bubbled brewing potion
 Cauldron over fire
Chanting of ingredients
 Flame grow higher

Eye of newt
 Slime of snail
Festering fungi
Earwig tail


Fang of snake
Wing of bat
Fruit of nightshade
Powdered Gnat

Stir counter clockwise
Stir by three
Spirits whisper wisely
Come now to me

Mystical imaginings
Fortunes told
Cross my palm my pretty
For just a  piece of gold

[via]

This is my entry for Potluck Poetry week 10

Magpie Tale #41

Lest We Forget

The eleventh hour  The eleventh day

The eleventh month

I hear you say

Age shall weary us... Not they 

I hear you say... I hear you say

A poppy lay on marble tomb

Remembrance to fruit of womb

Of lives short lived... So that we may

I here you say... I hear you say

So many souls fall where they lay

I hear you say... I hear you say

No chance to greet another day

Yet in the dawn of this new day

We shall remember ...

Remember them... I hear you say

Click on the stamp to visit our host "Willow" at Magpie Tales and find out how you too can join in the fun...

The Scarfy Tree...

I have a thing for scarves...
Nothing too fancy here

And I'm so happy and excited to be a part of the

 International Scarf Exchange #9 

These are just some of my Growing collection...

Spread the Love.

MagpieTale #40

The Necklace

Hillary stood before the window of the local drapers admiring the display of latest arrivals from places she could only imagine. The pretty French Silk prints immediately caught her eye... I have a new frock in mind and that fabric would be just the ticket she thought to herself...

"Oh.. what a lovely necklace" her ears suddenly assulted by the grating gushing voice of Audrey Pennington-Smythe. Her hyphenation disguising through assumption, a long lonely and resented spinsterhood.

Startled by the sudden interruption to her reverie, Hillary looked up and greeted her assailant through a clenched teeth smile. Sad, sad meddlesome woman she thought, don't give her and inch...

 "Hello Auldrey, how nice to see you. I'm sorry, I was quite lost admiring that beautiful french print in the window for my next frock. What was that you were saying?"

"I was commenting on your necklace Miss Nightingale. It must be new. I've not seen you wear it before. Was it a gift perchance?" she chimed oozing insincerity. "Another trinket from one of your, if I should be so bold as to say, many, gentleman suitors?" Her pursed and virginal lips formed into a thin line of derision.

Hillary recognised the thinly veiled envious wanting in the tone of Audrey's enquiry as she continued. "They all seem very keen to leave an impression on the coveted Miss Nightingale. Surely one of them  has stirred your interest by now. As it is, there are no doubt, any number from which to choose". Fetching in looks, well groomed and from a fine pedigree and very well moneyed little strumpet that you are... I've seen your type before, just like the harlot that took away my Christian. My love. So many years past. I shall cast a line here and see what I can hook. 

" I should think the caller that bestowed that fine, if not, a little ostentatious to my mind, accoutrement upon you would be well ahead in the stakes to gain your hand in marriage. What, with freshwater pearls and such a large and beautifully engraved pendant gold, catching the light and drawing ones eye to your ample bosom, It would surely have cost him a Kings ransom one would imagine."

Imagine away Audrey..thought Hillary don't give the old crone an inch of the truth lest unleash further the jealous and hurtful beast of thwarted love. "Yes. It is quite pretty Audrey. Thank you. And so as to allay your curiosity and  obviously compassionate concern regarding my state of being as yet un-wed. It was a gift from Father on his recent return from the Far East. He says he picked it up for a song at one something he called a bazaar.  I think that is what he called it.

 He says he had a marvelous time haggling with the vendor over a mutually agreed purchase price. It sounded such fun in his retelling. He had us all  in such fits of laughter. We were, all of us, quite positively exhausted by his conclusion."

"Oh." sighed Audrey. "What disappointment. I was hoping that it may have been form that lovely Marchinson Boy. He's grown into an outstanding young gentleman. His Father I happen to know, is frightfully proud of young Jeremy's foray into the business arena trading with companies based in the Far East. Such a coincidence...He too, like your Father, has only recently returned. I have seen him on several occasions, you know, riding out toward Nightingale Mannor.

She's snooping. The sly old busy body. I'll not give her an inch... "Why, Audrey, you are astute in your observations. Mr Marchinson has been a regular face at the Mannor since his return from the East. He consults with my Father in matters of business I believe." Hillary, averting her eyes as she embarassingly felt the warm sensation of tell tale colour rising to her cheeks. Oh no, not now she thought. Don't colour and give away your secret Hillary. As thoughts of the night before flooded her senses. Moonlit Jeremy. Standing beside her their hands entwined as they looked out toward the lake shore. Jeremy. Confessing his deep love for her. His preoccupying thoughts of her, of this very moment of asking for her hand. Of dreams they would make together as Mr and Mrs Jeremy Marchinson. The very thought  now filling her with further desire for him. Oh... don't give her an inch. Jeremy giving her the necklace. How her body seemed filled with tiny exquisite tremors as he fastened the clasp, kissing gently her nape as he did so. And then their embrace. Jeremy. Feeling his firm muscular body as he drew her into it's shelter. His warmth. His scent fueling her growing desire. Oh please she thought. Not here. Not now. And definitely not in front of Audrey Pennington-Smythe. 

Of all people.

 "I'm sorry Audrey" Hillary flustered. "It has been such a pleasure to see you, but, I really must away. Charles, my Brother is awating in the buggy and will be by now concerned about my whereabouts. Good day to you Audrey" and with that abruptly turned on her heel and hurriedly walked away in the direction of a waiting Charles.

 Audrey Pennington-Smythe remained quietly standing outside the Drapers. She turned slowly to her reflection mirrored in the glass and smiled smugly. "Well Audrey my dear. I do believe you got one"

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Potluck Poetry...Week 9

Thank you Jingle for some Pot Luck Inspiration...

The Theme... Fortress, Building, Landmark...

Here goes...

Fortress

Forgotten forger of freedom

Fly faithfully to the fray

Godspeed on your journey

my you fight another day...

[Via]

Buildings

Ancient Circus in the round...

Your catacombs dark... are neath the ground'...

Boughting slaves spill their blood to feed...

The crowd above with insatiable need...

Most Holy Emperor give thy silent word...

Thumb Up... Thumb down... cannot be heard...

May the victor fight another day...

To the loser... well... dead anyway..   

[via]

Landmark

[via]

"Cop an eyeful of the Eiffel"...Cries the vendor at her feet.

The lady towers grandly over heads on passing street.

"Get your own memento!... Hold the tower in your hand!"

At only fifteen Euros folks... "Its grand it's grand  it's grand"

The sky is falling...

The sky is falling? I think not...

In all my life never heard such rot

When clouds are hung and passing by

Many things fall but not the sky

Try rain, or snow, or hail, or sleet

Try leaves all landed round my feet

Try blossom falling from a tree

The sky don't fall, you can't fool me!  

Join in the fun and inspiration and magnificent photography at "Magpie Tales" hosted by Willow

Magpie 38

Once tangible proof, now shaddow shrouded relic

Solitary desecrated stone of aging distant memory

A life past lived, perhaps loved, then lost...

What stories you hold within your marbled casing

Secret tales yet no one hears the whispered telling

Heathers Quilts...

Oh Hello There...

Just let me pop the kettle on...Would you like a cuppa?...

 Then I'll tell you all about my friend Heather's Quilts...

Yes you heard me right... Quilts...Plural!

Heather loved my work so much after making the first one for her she ordered

not one... but another two.

Heather decided that she was giving her spare bedroom a make over.

She has it set up for the grandchildren with a single bed and a set of  twin bunks.

She had decided to paint the walls in a neutral beige and use plain callico for the curtaining.

Her colour selection for the Quilt was Cream, Brown, and Russet tones in any pattern or combination.

"You Choose"

I love a customer that is very open and trusting of my creativity and ability to come up with a design that I intuitively know will match their style, taste and personality. 



Quilt 1... Single Bed Quilt in Dark Tones.

Heather was so excited when she called in to check on my progress.

She ablolutely loved  the colour combinations and the pattern. So much so... (Even before I'd finished the backing, quilting and binding)... that... right there on the spot she ordered another Two!

I was quite gobsmacked...and had not anticipated her reaction

She wanted these two for the bunk beds in the same colour tones and pattern.



Quilt 2. Lower Bunk Quilt in Mid Tones.



I had chosen to use a variation of the hourglass pattern.

The result being that rather than the pattern consisting of rigid light and dark dark triangles opposite one another... I made each of the blocks using random colour combinations.

On learning that Heather wanted two more quilts in the same pattern and colours, I decided to make each of them slightly different by using some of the fabric patterns and colours from Quilt 1 and combining them with lighter mid tones for Quilt 2 

I chose to back the Quilts with dark taupe, mid taupe, and a lighter taupe.

The sashing between the blocks I kept the same on all three to maintain some continuity.

The fabric for this as you can see is a dark brown and a cream with a gold fleck for the small squares in between.

The gold fleck just gave the overall effect a subtle lift...



Quilt 3 Top Bunk. Lighter Tones.
(And yes it is narrower than the other two)


For the third quilt, I decided to utilise some of the mid tone blocks from quilt 2
 combining them with lighter toned prints in the same colours.

Heather wanted this quilt to be a little narrower so that it did not hang as low over the sides of the top bunk.
I completed the quilts by binding them again using dark, mid tone and light un-patterned fabric

On all three quilts I followed the pattern created by the sashing by machine "stitching in the ditch"
The binding  was... of course... was hand stitched.

As I said...

 Heather absolutely loved all three quilts and...

About a month after their completion and her taking them home to adorn the spare bedroom

She called by and greeted me saying... "I need another quilt"

I must have looked horrified thinking that there might have been a problem with one of the "Triplets"... 

"No No" she said "It's alright... I just want to order another Quilt"!

 This time around, she would like a queen sized quilt to go in the guest room!

Same pattern as "the triplets" but in Aquas, Pinks, Greens, Pale Blues and Creams. A mixture of subtle pastels I think.

Unfortunately I have had to put this order on hold as for the past 12 months I have not been able to do much in the way of quilting as I had a bulging disc in my neck removed and surgery on a trapped nerve in my elbow. Recovery has been very slow and I am only just getting back into the swing of things now.

Heather has been a great friend and is very understanding with the time delay...

On arriving home from Hospital after my surgeries she came bouncing in the door with a big smile on her face saying...

"Right! You're home now. When can I have my Quilt!"

She made me laugh so much that I started crying with pain...

That was almost 12 months ago...

Guess what?...

We are off to pick out some colours and fabrics next week...

I'm really looking forward to firing up the old Pfaff again...