Spiral Scarf (Knitting Nature) Complete!
It is a good feeling when after a lousy week of not feeling well and feeling like you’re never going to get anything done, you have two finished objects. The first is a paper on the 1857 Indian Mutiny/Rebellion that I’ve been working on for over a year now; I finally have it in some shape to send to a writing workshop I’m part of. Next week my fellow workshoppers will gleefully tear it apart give me some precious feedback, and then I can hopefully send it off to a journal.
I have something else to exult over, my fresh-off-the-dpns Spiral Scarf from Knitting Nature. A much prettier sight than my paper, something I didn’t have to agonize over at all, and which has way more instant gratification! Too bad I can’t include it in my tenure file.
The multicoloured yarn is Koigu, and the darker blue is Claudia Handpainted; I’m still amazed at how beautifully these two blended together in this pattern. I decided to pair them on a whim, and I’m glad I did. This pattern is great for handpainted and variegated yarns, which mimic it, spiralling towards the centre. I can’t stop looking at it!
Pattern Notes:
Yarn used: About 160-65 yards each of Koigu and Claudia, just under a skein.
Gauge: 7 spi over 1×1 ribbing for the Koigu, and 7.5 spi for the Claudia.
Needles: size 5 circulars and dpns. I deliberately chose larger needles for the fingering yarns to make a drapier scarf, because some samples I saw of the scarf in my LYS and the first hexagon I made with both yarns held together made the hexagon rather like a discus waiting to be flung, than a soft scarf.
Modifications: Obviously, the two alternating colours. I also made the third hexagon in the pattern my first. Then I made 5 smaller hexagons on each side of this central hexagon, rather than just in one direction. Tecnically, this goes against the spiral logic of the scarf, but I didn’t want too tiny hexagons, and this made for a much more wearable overall size.
Here it is, all stacked up, like blueberry pancackes, just in time for spring. It’s the perfect weight for this weather we’ve been having where it’s too warm for a real jacket, but still quite chilly in the shade and in the evenings. I tried taking a decent picture of me wearing it, but this is the best I could do. Sorry it’s so blurry, but it gives you a sense of how the scarf looks actually worn.
Btw, thanks to all of you who sympathized with my Jaywalker and Odessa misery! I’ll have you all know I didn’t twist a single one of these hexagon cast-ons!
This is going to be the first of a lot of projects from this book…
It is gorgeous!
I am so glad for knitting blogs. Without you, I’d never have come across this pattern, which I am now anxious to knit. Thank you!
And many congratulations on finishing the paper.
Oh, I LOVE how this turned out! And the yarns you chose are perfect. I didn’t get too excited about this book when it came out, but such gorgeous finished products are making me reconsider…
all projects related to 1857 are cuuuursssseeed. Nice, scarf-thingie, though.
Wow that turned out very lovely, I need to have a second look at that book or at least invite it home from the library for a visit.
The scarf is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations. The drape, texture, and color all came out lovely. Three cheers to your paper as well! I don’t suppose knitting socks for your tenure review board will count towards long-term tenure security?
ps: How did you block your rangoli hat? Was it on a plate like a tam, or a bowl like a ski hat? I’m nearly finished. Sorry to take so long. The darn dissertation has been eating up too much time lately. The hat however has been a soothing and pleasant knit and I am enjoying all the purling after so many knitting in the round projects. Thank you again for creating it and writing it up. Its been great.
The scarf is beautiful! I love the way it sits when you wear it. I’ll have to look for that book, I can always use a new scarf…
Good luck with your paper, by the way.
Very pretty! The close-up makes it look nice and soft, too. Congrats on getting the paper into shape! That’s a good feeling.
that is beautiful -how unusual!!!
That is so pretty! I have that book too but had never really looked twice at that pattern, but I think your version is lovely. It’s such a good idea for how to use those odd skeins of sock yarn where you don’t have enough for a pair of socks.
YOUR SCARF IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! Jane
What a cool scarf! It looks like sea shells in the first photo.
Your scarf turned out wonderful! Love the colores, love the pattern!
I love your scarf. And such lovely colors!
Your scarf is wonderful! The colors are so pretty together!
That looks lovely on you! Mmm…blueberry pancakes.
The scarf turned out so well – it really is lovely. The Malabrigo scarf from your last post also looks beautiful. Makes me want to go out and get some Mmmmalabrigo.
must congratulate u on 3 things first off ur paper, second the rangoli hat which is like literally putting doorstep designs on ppls heads and now ur scarf which is really good too. i suggest u send in the rangoli hat pattern to knitty and make us indians proud.
Beautiful scarf, and congratulations on finishing the paper.
so very pretty and effective… love it!
I love your mods to the pattern – the two-tone idea is brilliant, and I’m a fan of the larger hexagons, too. Eeek, another project from this book is on my to-knit list!
It’s beautiful… and it looks like you got a cool new haircut, too!
I love that book, too:-) Very pretty scarf and nice color choices.
Thanks for leaving that nice comment about my Phyllo Yoke Pullover! I followed you back here and had to let you know how lovely your new scarf is–that’s absolutely one of the projects I’m going to have to try next.
What a coincidence! I have that book on its way to me. And I absolutely adore the scarf as well as the colours you chose for it. It’s just beautiful.
Your spiral scarf is brilliant. The colors are beautiful and it looks lovely the way you are wearing it.
Well, I’m in late but yes, it’s very beautiful that spiral scarf. Who would have thought that something made of hexagons would wrap so perfectly around the neck. Love it!