Ruffle Scarf: a Challenge!

My Blogging Business Artisans team loves Challenges!  That's why we post one every month--to stretch and grow us, to discover new territory.   


January's Challenge is posed to us by Deb of storybeader:
"Set aside time to work on and complete a new technique that you admire. It can be within your field of expertise, but doesn't have to be. Blog about your project at least once during the month or make a video, if you want."  

 a pile of 3 separate scarves I've made

I've been interested in knitting the new, popular ruffled scarves.  I do knit--but just barely.  So the process of basic knitting is not new to me.  This new material is however.  I also had to discover the best techniques.  My friend Virginia got me started.  I searched online and then made my own directions.  

The material is a yarn made of netting that is about 4 inches wide.  So far, I've used only Sashay brand yarn.  It comes in varigated shades of one color or several coordinating colors.

MATERIALS:
1 skein of fishnet type yarn
knitting needles  (The holes are large so a range of sizes work.  I used US size 7.) 

PROCESS:
1.  The yarn needs to be stretched for easier handling.  In my opinion, the knitting goes more smoothly when this is done ahead of time.  Virginia suggested wrapping the yarn around a book.  I did this at first, but found it less cumbersome to wrap around a towel or another skein of yarn.

This opens up the yarn and makes finding the holes to be knitted in easier.
   
2.  Fold back about 1 inch of the fishnet yarn.  (The fold faces away from you, although I'm not sure this matters.) 
 
3.  Stick needle in a loop very close to thick edge through the front of the loop.

4.  Stick needle in a loop very close to thin edge through the front of the loop.  

5.  These loops (#3 and #4 above) become the first ONE cast on.

the first loop

6.  Cast on as many loops as you like—8 is a good number.  Virginia likes to cast on 6 since it makes a longer scarf.  I like the greater fullness of 8.  You could cast on more for a shorter, fuller scarf.
Cast on by sticking the needle through the back of each consecutive loop.

This video shows you how!

7.  Knit.  
   a.  Put the needle through the next loop and yarn over with a loop from the feeding yarn.
   b.  Skip a loop and knit the next loop.  

See how the large loops are connected by a "ladder"--2 parallel threads close together?  The loop marked "this loop" is the one to use in yarning over.  The loop before it is skipped.

   c.  Knit till you come to that "mess" that was the first loop.  Knit it altogether as ONE loop.

beginning to knit the "mess"

ready to push the "mess" off after knitting it

   d.  Turn the work to begin knitting the next row.  There should be some raw edge that needs tidying.  Stick the needle with all the loops on it into one or two loops on that raw edge.  That new "mess" along with the first loop on the needle becomes the first loop to knit.  Knit it yarning over with a loop from the feeding yarn.
   e.  Skip a loop and knit into the next loop to the end of the row.
   f.  Turn and knit.  You can skip a loop or not when knitting the first loop of each row (I generally did not skip a loop.).  

8.  Cast off, leaving a tail long enough to weave through the scarf--at least 4 inches.  Pull the tail through the last loop.  When weaving the tail, use a large hole tapestry needle and pull the yarn through loops as close to the inside as possible.  

The tail has been fed through the loop but not yet pulled more snugly.

The tail has been pulled snugly.

LINKS:
1.  knitting a ruffle scarf (video). casting off at 2.0 minutes in.  I don't recommend finishing off with a knot at the end of the scarf.
2.  different method of casting on (video).  can see hands well.  However, he skips a loop when starting a new row.  You can skip or not skip, doesn't matter.  AND he says to knit in every loop without skipping.  I did this and the scarf does NOT ruffle.  I've added this link because his hands are very clear to watch.
3. a variation (video).  very wide and long with 2 skeins of fishnet and one of regular yarn.  Intersperse 2 rows of regular yarn in between each fishnet row.  When knitting with fishnet, be sure to skip every other loop to get the ruffle effect.

I've made 5 scarves now in various colors and am currently working on a 6th.  They're all gifts!

NOTE:  This yarn and this pattern are very forgiving!  Don't worry about mistakes such as not skipping a loop here and there or even dropping a stitch (simply make a new one!)  or having too many stitches (simply knit 2 together!).


Visit our BBA team blog to see more completed Challenges!

photos by me © 2012 and 2013

scones

CRANBERRY, ORANGE, and PECAN

I made this dessert for a dinner meeting last night. The recipe is my own, synthesized from the reading of 3 different recipes. I did not want to make them very sweet, but more sugar can be added for a sweeter scone. I used a food processor, but these can be made by hand.
♥

SCONES

DRY INGREDIENTS
3 C flour ( I used @ 1/4 c whole wheat pastry flour to give a richer flavor.)
1/2 C sugar
1 T baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 T buttermilk powder
1/4 t salt (opt)

6 T butter

EXTRAS
1/3 C pecans, chopped
1/3 C fresh cranberries, chopped
1-3 t orange zest

WET INGREDIENTS
@ 1 C water (I added about 2T orange juice to the measuring cup before adding water.)



In bowl of food processor, combine dry ingredients till well blended.



Here are the dry ingredients in the food processor before mixing.
Chop butter and add to dry mixture, pulsing on and off on low till mixture resembles a coarse meal. If doing this by hand, use two knives and cut the butter into the dry mixture.

chopped butter and extra ingredients



While pulsing on low, add the water a little at a time. If mixing by hand, use a fork or two to combine. Check mixture before using all the water to see if it will hold together when pressed with your fingers. ( I used all but a tablespoon or two of my water-orange juice mixture. See note below.) Now remove from processor to another bowl. (see photo on right.) Using two forks, mix in extra ingredients.


Scatter some sugar on a counter. Pat the scone mixture on top of the sugar till it is about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into scones. I used a 3 inch diameter biscuit cutter. Brush a little water or orange juice on the tops and sprinkle on a little sugar. Place about 2 inches apart on greased sheet and bake at 375 degrees for @ 14 minutes. (The amount of time baking takes will depend on the size of your scones and the heat of your oven. I suggest checking after some minutes to see the progress.) They should be slightly golden brown on top when they are done.










I served the scones with a goat cheese spread. The ingredients below are a suggestion. Add whatever you like, as much or as little of it as you please.

SWEET CHEVRE SPREAD

4 oz goat cheese
2 t fresh cranberries, chopped
2 t dates, chopped
1T honey
2 t sugar
water or orange juice to get desired spreading consistancy

Mix well. I made this a little sweeter to go with the not-so-sweet scones since this was dessert.

Serve scones with the spread, butter, small slices of cheese, and fruit.

mmmmm













NOTE: How much water to add will depend on the flour and the humidity of the air.