Easy Scarf

I can't believe that I forgot to post the pattern for a scarf that I created for one of my beginner knitting classes! Anyway, it's never too late....

Cast on 41 stitches (long-tail method)
Row 1: K1 P1 *repeat
Row 2: K1 P1 *repeat
Repeat these 2 Rows Twice (Total: 6 rows)
Row A of Pattern: K1 P1 K1 P1 K3 P3 K3 P3 K3 P3 K3 P3 K3 P3 K3 P1 K1 P1 K1
Row B of Pattern: K1 P1 K1 P1 P3 K3 P3 K3 P3 K3 P3 K3 P3 K3 P3 P1 K1 P1 K1
Repeat Rows A and B until scarf is 47" (or 1" shorter than desired length)
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for a total of 6 rows
Cast Off
Finishing: Tassel Ends: cut yarn into length desired (approx. 6 strands per tassel); scarf will take approx. 5 tassels per edge

I recommend using a worsted weight or sport weight yarn.

Progress

I am approximately half-way done with my first square/dishcloth design. In my opinion, the design process is working out better with knitting along as I chart out the rows. This way I can catch small mistakes before they become huge.

Book Quiz: What Book Are You?

If I could be a book, which book would I be? I am a book lover, so when I saw this quiz (see my answer at the bottom of my blog with the link) on another blog I had to try it.

Working On My First Original Square

Yes, I have finally taken the plunge! Yesterday I started graphing out a design for a block/dishcloth. I am also going to test it as I design because I need to decide if I want to leave a blank row between each row of design or not. I may not have a picture by the time I post the directions, however. As soon as I am able I will post that as well.

Revisions Ahead For My Layout

I can't believe how many links and other things I've collected in my sidebar! I think it is time to revise the layout to three columns. I've asked for help, since I am not an expert in this area.

Frustrated

I am frustrated because, even though I have my knitting classes on April's schedule at the local AC Moore, no one has yet signed up for them! I've picked out some really beautiful projects (fingerless mitts, spring sweater, lace scarf, felted bag, etc.) as well as generic knitting workshops. I've emphasized that I have chosen the projects so that beginners could also do them. Everyone tells me that knitting is experiencing a boom. When is it going to start for me?

Yes, I Am a Sci-Fi Addict

I took the test to find out my Nerd Quotient. Even though one would think that someone who was not a complete computer nut/scientist/mathematician could be a nerd, this is not the case. Ever since I was a child (way back in the 50s and 60s) I have always been fascinated by science -- and sci-fi. I have been a Trekkie since 1966, the year Star Trek first appeared on television. Deep down inside I think it would have been terrific if I had gone into astronomy or paleontology -- and I keep up with advances in these fields to this day. However, I am also a frustrated Classicist who is trying to learn Homeric and Attic Greek on my own. There are just so many things that I wish to learn! I really believe that this drive is the key that is keeping me young at heart.

Translation For Helix Panel

This pattern can be adapted for use as a square for people who like to knit dishcloths. One complete pattern with the recommended border will be 60 rows (38 + 12) in length and 40 stitches in width. I have used seed stitch for my border rather than the indicated garter stitch. In addition, I have not used the selvedge direction for the sides. The sides can always be made a little wider by adding additional mock cables, etc. -- be creative!

Now, as I promised, here is the written translation of the Helix Chart:

HELIX PANEL TRANSLATION (Over 20 Stitches)

CN = Cable Needle; ST/S = Stitch/es

Row 1 P2, K13, P5
Row 2 K5, P13, K2

Row 3 P2, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), P1, K2 from CN, P8,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), P2, K2 from CN, P3
Row 4 K3, P2, K10, P2, K3

Row 5 P3, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), P2, K2 from CN, K8,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), K1, K2 from CN, P2
Row 6 K2, P13, K5

Row 7 P5, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), P2, K2 from CN, P7,
Skip next ST, Knit 2nd ST (leave on needle), Then K the Skipped
ST and slip both stitches from needle together, P2
Row 8 K2, P2, K7, P2, K7

Row 9 P7, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), P2, K2 from CN, K4,
Slide 1 ST onto CN (hold in back), K2, P1 from CN, P2
Row 10 K3, P8, K9

Row 11 P9, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), P2, K2 from CN,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, P2 from CN, P3
Row 12 K5, P4, K11

Row 13 P11, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, K2 from CN, P5
Row 14 K5, P4, K11

Row 15 P9, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, K2 from CN,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), K2, K2 from CN, P3
Row 16 K3, P8, K9

Row 17 P7, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, P2 from CN, P4,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), P1, K2 from CN, P2
Row 18 K2, P2, K7, P2, K7

Row 19 P5, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, K2 from CN, K7,
Skip next ST, Knit 2nd ST (leave on needle), Then K the Skipped
ST and slip both stitches from needle together, P2
Row 20 K2, P13, K5

Row 21 P3, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, P2 from CN, P8,
Slide 1 ST onto CN (hold in back), K2, P1 from CN, P2
Row 22 K3, P2, K10, P2, K3

Row 23 P2, Slide 1 ST onto CN (hold in back), K2, K1 from CN, K8,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, P2 from CN, P3
Row 24 K5, P13, K2

Row 25 P2, Take right-hand needle behind left-needle, Skip 1st ST,
K 2nd ST in back loop, K Skipped ST in front loop, Slip both
STS from needle together, P7,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, P2 from CN, P5
Row 26 K7, P2, K7, P2, K2

Row 27 P2, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), P1, K2 from CN, K4,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, P2 from CN, P7
Row 28 K9. P8, K3

Row 29 P3, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), P2, K2 from CN,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, P2 from CN, P9
Row 30 K11, P4, K5

Row 31 P5, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, K2 from CN, P11
Row 32 K11, P4, K5

Row 33 P3, Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in back), K2, K2 from CN,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), K2, K2 from CN, P9
Row 34 K9, P8, K3

Row 35 P2, Slide 1 ST onto CN (hold in back), K2, P1 from CN, P4,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), K2, K2 from CN, P7
Row 36 K7, P2, K7, P2, K2

Row 37 P2, Take right-hand needle behind left-needle, Skip 1st ST,
K 2nd ST in back loop, K Skipped ST in front loop, Slip both
STS from needle together, K7,
Slide 2 STS onto CN (hold in front), K2, K2 from CN, P5
Row 38 K5, P13, K2

Row 39 = Row 3

Charts--GRR!

Charts are NOT my preferred way of following a pattern while I am knitting. I much prefer my patterns in words/traditional symbols. The helix pattern I posted about below will need to be "translated." Watch this space as I will post the translation of rows 3-38 for those of you who like to knit the way I do.

Worsted Weight Yarns

I have a gripe about medium/#4/worsted weight yarns: not all of them knit up the same way with the same needles. The reason I am having this trouble is because not one brand of yarn has all the colours I would like to use for my friend's afghan. Therefore, I have decided to make it a little bit like a "crazy quilt" and really go with some really different size "blocks" (rectangles etc.). One of the new items will be a long "stripe" that will use the DNA pattern I found on the internet. This is the URL www.twosheep.com/helix/ Of course, I am going to have to come up with an interesting way to put all of this together. Any ideas?

Have Graph Paper -- Will Start Patterns!

I have finally got my hands on graph paper that more clearly indicates the proper ratios of knitting stitches while designing patterns. So, over the next few days I'll be starting on a large-size Greek alphabet along with some of the honorary and social fraternities and sororities (Phi Beta Kappa; Alpha Psi Omega; Lambda Chi Alpha; etc.). For the time-being, however, I will only be posting the directions in this blog -- the pictures will come later as I still need to obtain a digital camera.

A Small Confession

In addition to knitting I read a lot. Even though I still read "heavy-duty" books in history, philosophy, theology, et al., I also read "jello." In fact, a number of my "jello" books have concerned the subject from "The da Vinci Code". Now, why would an old-fashioned Hellenic polytheist like myself read this type of book? Am I looking for ways to put-down Christian theology? The answer to those questions is, "NO." And though I do find the mythology that has grown around Magdalene does make a lot of sense in many ways, I am not the one who decides what the guiding mythologies for the various Chrisitian sects are. In fact, I find, as a former history major, that there is quite a bit of pseudo-history in these books, ie. Jewish priestesses -- you've got to be kidding! (this was from "The Expected One"). However, most of them are fun to read -- and some are better than others.