Secret Valentine Exchange : Gray Marled Shape Shifter Scarf

from @kristi_sweetkm on instagram

You may recall the Secret Valentine Exchange hosted by Sanae and Ute. Lovely makers the world over swap handcrafted Valentine treats with one another. This year I made a scarf, (last year I also made a scarf, apparently I am a one trick pony) inspired by a photo I took at the farm on a gray winter day, and the preferences of my recipient. 

I was assigned to make something for Monika of Schneider Meistern. Monika is a German pattern maker with an urban sensibility. Most of her website, and all of her patterns are in German, but definitely worth a visit, pictures being worth a thousand words and all. I was super excited about this assignment because she is so cool. I was super nervous about this assignment because she is so cool. I was totally relieved that she lives in a place with winter justifying my propensity to knit. And knit I did. 

PATTERN: This is a slight variation on my own Shape Shifter Scarf Pattern (available here). I made it a bit bigger over all, and I made the garter section a few rows longer than the rest of the scarf, casting off the side panels, then coming back and knitting about an inch more in the middle. One more shifting shape.

YARN: This is Palette Yarn by Knit Picks. I tried hard to stick to the use-what-you-have rule for this project, and I always have a good selection of this yarn on hand because it's inexpensive and comes in a ton of colors. To get the marled look I knit with two strands held together. The side panels are Cream and Finnley Heather, the middle panel is Cream and Asphalt Heather, the bottom middle panel is two strands on Asphalt Heather. 

This little assemblage of Shape Shifter Scarf, chambray bento bag (using this illustration), and some SweetKM Valentines, is now thousands of miles away hopefully being put to good use. Once again thank you to Ute and Sanae for taking on the organizational challenge of this little exchange. It was a ton of fun. You can see what others are giving and receiving with the hashtag #2015sve on instagram, or in the Flickr pool. 

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Now for the gift I received.

Angela of Sew Snippet made me some lovely felted bowls, and matchbook notebooks. I love both. L and I have been debating what to store in our new bowls. The DPNs were my suggestion, the peg dolls were of course hers. Thank you Angela! I love international mail, especially when its a beautiful handmade present for me.

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Because you may want to dig a little deeper into the online presence of the makers mentioned in this post (trust me you could spend a whole day on any of their sites drinking in the creativity) here is a recap:

Monika

instagram *  blog  * shop

Angela
blog * flickr

Ute

instagram  *  kollabora

Sanae

 instagram  *  blog

Autumn Shape Shifter Scarf

Oh hey, here I am. I've had one of those couple of weeks where you put your headphones on and look down at your sewing table, when you look up 3 weeks later you've got dishes in the sink, every toy in the house on the floor, and a family full of grumpy faces. They are grumpy (though I hope not too much), but I am feeling pretty accomplished. In fact, this may be my post productive month ever. I have sewn 8 things for the kids, one thing for me, knit 4-5 thing in addition to my normal shop routine. Only problem is, I can't talk about 90% of that stuff  until later, and the other 10% just can't seem to get out of the pile in the sewing room and in front of the camera.

So back to the matter at hand. This is a new color way for the Shape Shifter Scarf Pattern. I've been playing with colors for the last little while. This is a little peak at the big pile of autumn hues I have on the needles now. I'm hoping to get a few more scarves/cowls made for the shop before anyone sits down to Thanksgiving turkey, and maybe even make one for myself!

This Shape Shifter Scarf is available for purchase HERE.
You can purchase the Shape Shifter Knitting Pattern HERE.

Shape Shifter Scarf & Pattern

I've had the Shape Shifter Scarf on the brain lately (is it the shifting seasons perhaps?). I love the first iteration, but couldn't resist the temptation to take it one step further, breaking the continuous line of the front with the coral garter stitch. It may not look like it in the photos, but I am very happy with this one so I am releasing the pattern. This Shape Shifter was knit in Classic Elite Soft Linen. Its a blend of wool that is perfect for cooler weather, and linen that gives it a nice drape. This particular scarf, as well as the pattern, is listed in the shop. I've somehow neglected to make one for myself, and I'm eyeing Knit Picks CotLin in Planetarium. Or maybe something in all wool for legitimately cold weather.

Shape Shifter Scarf Pattern

Shape Shifter Scarf 2

Listed : Shape Shifter Scarf

Shape Shifter Linen/Wool Scarf, perfect for the springtime.

I bought this yarn to make L an Easter sweater, but somehow this is what came off the needles. Knit in premium, lightweight linen/wool yarn, just warm enough and beautifully drapey. Love it. Will be making another for myself...as soon as I finish L's Easter sweater (Uffa!).

In the shop today.