NaBloPoMo Day, er, 4: Things I've Made with Scrap Yarn

[untonuggan]

cadenzamuse pointed out today that in addition to being NaNoWriMo, it's also NaBloPoMo (national blog posting month). I thought I'd try to participate by attempting to write a blog post a day. I know I technically already wrote one today, but it was not written with the intent of writing for NaBloPoMo and therefore in my brain it doesn't count. Also, I'm way behind on showing WIP photos and I really want to post some of them. Be prepared for a few photos of Things I've Made with Scrap Yarn.

Project number 1 was really fun to make. I took a bunch of yarns of different (but not too different) weights and colors and stuck them in a bag. Then I grabbed needles that were big enough to accommodate all of them, cast on 142 stitches (a number randomly chosen), and cast on. When I ran out of yarn and/or got bored with a color, I switched to a different one by grabbing in the bag for the next available color. SO MUCH FUN. Check out the results! I think the band of yellow is what makes it, personally, although jelazakazone liked the different textures.


photo of the scarf described in the previous paragraph resting on a gray tabletop

Another one I'm doing is making log cabin squares, only knitted instead of quilted, and turning them into various objects. So far I have made one out of feltable wool, felted it, and am calling it a potholder that can also be a trivet. I think I'm going to give it to my grandmother for the holidays. I might make another one for my brother.


Felted knit trivet/potholder in a log cabin style. There is a red square in the center with different colors of rectangles knit around it so it forms a bigger square. The total color scheme is red, green/olive, gray, and white.

Here's what it looked like before I felted it:


See above for description(s). Basically the same thing, but not felted, so slightly larger and with more stitch definition.

Right now I'm working on some log cabin squares with machine washable wool/acrylic in a tighter gauge. I'm going to make probably pillow covers with them. Not sure exactly, but that is the current plan.
Other things I'm considering making with knit log cabin squares: bags, blankets, felted rugs, moar potholders, felt coasters, etc.

They are very satisfying to knit because I can use scraps AND I also get a sense of completion for each mini-square or rectangle.

Am also making a hat with handspun, it is pretty, no photos at the moment. I am also getting a strange urge to knit dishcloths. It's been awhile since I did...

Comments

[jelazakazone]

Hunh. That scarf looks completely different in person (by which I mean WAAAY more interesting). Must be due to the loss of the 3D nature which interests me most about it.

Still savoring the sweetness of our time today. It was an oasis in a busy weekend.

[untonuggan]

~oasis~ ftw!

[lilacsigil]

Both very cool!

[untonuggan]

Thank you!

[chalcopyrite]

The scarf is very fun! I like the yellow. :)

It took me a minute to work out how the log cabin squares go together! Those are neat too, and I totally get the sense of accomplishment!

(Oh, Liz, I read my mom what you said about not wanting to knit BROWN yarn, and we both just had to laugh -- only a few days ago she finished a square and was looking for another colour, and looked at the ball on the table and said, "But that's BROWN. I don't want to knit BROWN." She sympathises!)

[untonuggan]

Thank you :D

And also thank you, and yes, totally fun mini-accomplishments. XD

What is it about brown yarn? It is nice but there is just *something*

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

intersperse petal or gelato pink or tiffany turquoise? (Saying it's brown on the chocolate side.)

[untonuggan]

Ooooh that is a good idea. Currently I am doing brown with blue and purple to use up some, but I like the way you think. (Especially because I have some glorious pinks that just fell into my lap at a yarn destashing sale.)

[raze]

Beautiful scarf, and that pot holder will make a lovely gift! I do love seeing all of the wonderful creative things you do.

[untonuggan]

Thank you and thank you! ^___^ I like seeing all the things you post about, particularly your poetry and your animal rescue. (Sadly I do not have the brains for much prose at the moment, or I am sure I would enjoy that as well.) Anyway, I think creative cross-pollination is great for creating.

[fred_mouse]

I very much like the log cabin, although I confess to complete puzzlement about how you do that with knitting! (I experimented with log cabin crochet, and had so much fun, I made a whole blanket. Makes me wish I had fewer WIPs so I could go and make another one).

[untonuggan]

Hee, am currently making a log cabin blanket (although I am not sewing the squares together yet in case I get bored and decide to opt for pillow covers ;) ). For knitting you pick up stitches along the side of what you've already knit to add a new rectangle. If that makes sense. (I would explain more, except I figure you already have a sense of it from crocheting a blanket's worth.) The hard part is not getting holes when you pick up stitches. :D