What’s up, party dudes?! This post is a bit out of the ordinary for me– finished knitted garments, what?! I haven’t done much knitting in the last couple of years, but when I started taking the subway to work a few months ago, I had an itch to pick it up again!
A long time ago, I started up a sweater in Quince & Co.’s Lark in “Honey”. I didn’t really like how it was turning out, so I frogged it and let it sit. In my haste to start knitting again, I grabbed this yarn and cast on for Brooklyn Tweed‘s Guernsey Wrap without checking the gauge or anything (bad girl!). As it turns out, I was knitting at about 20.5 stitches/4″ (instead of the recommended 14 stitches/4″), so my finished width is only 13″ after a serious blocking. Since it was immediately clear that this would be more of a scarf than a wrap, I added an extra repeat of chart A and chart C for some additional length, making my final scarf 77″ long. I toyed with the idea of seaming the ends to make a cowl, but it’s nice to be able to wear this as a scarf so I can wrap it tighter or looser depending on my mood (and the weather). Maybe someday I’ll knit another one to the correct proportions, but I’m not at all disappointed in the outcome with this one. I was just so excited to start knitting and didn’t want to waste any time with math and calculations!
The yarn was an internet purchase, and I was a little disappointed in the color when it arrived. That was the main reason I frogged the sweater– I thought the olive-y color looked gross next to my skin tone. So here I am, two years later, making a hat and scarf to wear right next to my face… go figure! The only thing I can think of is that maybe it looks better on me now that I’ve started working indoors– I’m much paler than I used to be, and less green! It’s not the most flattering color in the world, but it looks nice with both my grey and my navy coats. For more inspiration in this color, check out Gail‘s gorgeous sweater here!
Guernsey Wrap is a really nice pattern and was a great one for jumping back into knitting. It’s a charted pattern, but it’s easy to follow. It looks really lovely and complicated, but the stitch patterns consist of only knit and purl stitches (great for commuter knitting– no pesky cable needles to deal with!). I didn’t realize it was so simple when I downloaded it, but I’m so glad I did. It’s really pretty!
After I finished the wrap, I wanted a matching hat, so I knit up Brooklyn Tweed‘s gorgeous Bough pattern. This pattern is so cute and was really fun to make, so much so that I made a second version for my sister in Malabrigo worsted for a Christmas gift (forgot to take a picture of it on her, but it’s really nice in soft, fuzzy Malabrigo!). I didn’t make any changes to the pattern at all and I really like it (although I might cast on fewer stitches for the ribbing next time around… it’s a tiny bit loose…). The tree of life pattern is really cool– I’m hoping to make the matching cowl at some point. I finished off both hats with pompoms made using a large Clover Pom Pom Maker. I’d never made them before and heard that the pom pom maker was really fast and easy, so I picked one up. I made huge, fluffy pom poms in just a couple of minutes! So fun! I kind of want to make 100 of them and tie them to the pugs!
Gah! Look at that bobble! I love it!
Now that I’ve started knitting again, I’m totally hooked! I’m midway through a sweater and can’t stop thinking about future knitting projects! What about you? Knitting anything things days? Want to learn, but not sure where to start? If so, I recommend (again!) checking out Gail’s blog– she did a great series walking you through the (FREE!) Miette cardigan pattern from start to finish.
Major benefit of a 6.5′ scarf– you can go full ninja on the coldest days!
Ginger Makes... 
Ooh, I love the pattern and detail on that scarf. Might have to check out that pattern! I’m fairly new to knitting. I tend to take it up in the winter and then forget all about it in the summer. This winter I’m trying to build some more skills though. Working on my first sweater as we speak!
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Oh, nice! What sweater pattern are you using? It’s so comforting to knit when it’s cold out, but I totally agree– once summer hits, the yarn goes away for a long, long time!
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I stll consider myself a newbie so I’m working my way through the Simple Collection by Tin Can Knits. Currently working on the Flax sweater. I like all the tutorials and hand-holding specific to these patterns — I know exactly where to look when I don’t understand something!
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very nice! i never swatch for scarves (or hats either). ok actually to be accurate i don’t knit scarves anymore b/c they bore me to tears. but i if i did i wouldn’t swatch. i love all that texture!
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Come to think of it, I don’t think I swatched for the hat, either– I just grabbed the needles that were in the bag with the semi-frogged sweater and away we went! Scarves are really boring to knit, and you don’t need very many of them, that’s for sure.
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I really love these Sonja! The pattern on the scarf is really unusual and you can never go wrong with a matching bobble hat! You’ve got some knitting SKILLZ that I never knew about!
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I’m usually too much of a sucker for the (relative) instant gratification of sewing, but it’s fun to knit once in a while, too!
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please pom pom your pugs.
um, that is like one of the BEST shades of green IN THE WORLD!!! i can’t believe you knit this!
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OK, call me crazy, but the whole time I was knitting these I kept thinking how lovely the color looked on Doug. But who am I kidding, he looks great in everything!
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Gorgeous! Is it scary that I knew what colorway of Quince that is? (All their yarns share the same colors… wait, maybe it’s scary that I know that, too. lol) I think it looks great on you! And I firmly maintain yellow is a neutral that goes with everything, and that’s yellow enough to qualify in my book. Looks so great with your gray coat! Winning combo!
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Ahahahahahaha, no, that’s not scary at all! It’s a very distinctive color! I do think it’s funny that they have the exact same colorways for the different weights, but it does make it easy to mix and match pieces, I guess!
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Definitely casting another vote for Pug Pom Poms! I can’t believe that no cable needles were involved in the making of that scarf/wrap! And I love your ninja shot, especially! I think you should make another set in blue and one in yellow, so you can be Subzero or Scorpion, as the mood strikes. You’ve already got Reptile…
Mortal Kombat all the things, is basically what I’m saying, I think. <3!
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Ahahahaha, yes! I’ve been called Sonya Blade basically since the game came out, but I definitely don’t want to replicate her costume! Sub Zero all the way!
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Very cool! I actually like the colour, especially with your grey jacket.. I really love the pattern on the wrap 🙂 I’m knitting a vest, a sweater and a cowl at the moment, so I’ve been keeping busy!
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Wow, you are really multitasking! But when the cold weather hits, you suddenly realize all the knitted pieces that you’re missing and need to replace them right away!
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You look SUPER cute! This post makes me want to immediately start knitting these two up, despite the fact I’m in the middle of two different knitting projects!
Man, I need to learn some self control!
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Self control is overrated! At least, that’s what I keep telling myself, hmm…
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Ohhhhhhhhhhhh loverly! Nice and cozy, especially with your serial killer eyeball look peering out from behind. 😉 LOL
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Teeheehee, can’t have people recognizing my mug in a lineup! 😉
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I do 90% of my knitting during my commute. It’s the absolute best way to kill time (and avoid eye contact) on the train!
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Haha, that’s a great point– there’s less of a chance that a weirdo will try to talk to me if I’m knitting! 🙂
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Love these knits! I adore that color and think it suits you just fine. Guernsey might get more wear as a scarf, rather than a huge wrap anyway.
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Thanks, Cassy! Wraps are harder to wear and tend to slip off my shoulders, so I probably will be able to wear this more as it is. I bet this color would look great on you, too (and Zooey)!
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I love this scarf! The stitch patterns are lovely, and I bet they give the scarf a good firm stability (if that makes sense!). Re the looseness of your hat – I always sew some elastic thread around the inside of the cast-on edge of my hats, and it really makes them stay on more securely. I have a lot of hats, I’m sort of addicted to knitting them! But a the minute I’m knitting a cardigan.
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Oh, that’s a great idea! I’ll sew on some elastic thread– thank you!
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i have a scarf in the same pattern so im a big fan. its beautiful.
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Thanks, Kelli!
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I love that colour! I was looking for a yarn of that colour for another project and now i have it. Love the knitting.
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Ooh, so glad you found it! It’s a nice yarn– I really liked it!
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Ahhhh! LOVE! And they both look really complicated! Especially the scarf, looks like it was machine knit! That color looks amazing on you and looks great with your grey jacket – which I never would have thought! Can’t wait to see your sweater!
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Thanks, girl! It’s really a lot easier than it looks, I promise! 🙂
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Well I think it looks absolutely perfect as a scarf! I happy knitting accident 🙂 I love that colour on you too!
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Thanks, Jennifer!
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These two are SO gorgeous Sonja – love them for the colour and your knitting prowess!
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Thanks, Mel! I’ve really turned around on the color and love it now!
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These are great! I love the colour, and it’s amazing that the pattern looks super complicated but wasn’t as difficult as it looks!
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That was such a pleasant surprise– I was ready for a real long slog through the wrap pattern, but it was painless! 🙂
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Look at you all warm and cuddly–this was definitely the winter for knitting in NY, no? Pom poms rule!
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Oh my gosh, yes! It’s just been so gruesome out that I want to wrap myself in wool from head to toe!
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I love that last photo! And that pom pom! I just started learning how to knit, and I can’t wait until I can make something that looks as good as your scarf and hat here!
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I bet your second project will look like these! You’ll be a champion knitter in no time! 🙂
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Your scarf and hat look great Ginger! Yay for knitting – it’s great to do during the commute. 😀
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It really is the best commuting activity! I get really impatient waiting for the train, so it helps me to remain calm. 🙂
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This is perfect!! I love the scarf and the hat is just a beauty! And I think wearing a bright, olive-y green next to your face like this is perfect for a hat or scarf! It adds color to your outerwear without you having to be stuck in it alllllll day! And truthfully, I don’t think it’s particularly unflattering. I just got bit by the knitting bug – it’s a pretty amazing way to unwind in front of the toob at the end of the day!
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I so agree – it’s nice to kick it and knit at the end of a long day, so much so that I’ve been having trouble motivating myself to sew on weeknights!
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I really love the colour – it’s so perfect with the charcoal grey!! 🙂 I’ve eyeballed that wrap before but “favourited” it when I saw yours – the yarn really highlights the stitch patterns and it is quite a good sell that you can become a ninja too haha!!
Added you as a friend on Ravelry, BTW ^__^
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Beautiful knitting – the stitches really pop! I’m in awe of your pom-pom; mine always suck! 😉
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It was so easy to make a nice, fat pom-pom with the maker thingy!
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Oh, I love this colour on you! Honestly, I don’t think you need to worry at all 🙂 Such cute knits!
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Oh wow! What a fabulous pattern and color. It looks super warm and cozy. And you can’t beat a scarf that allows for ninja-ing 🙂
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LOVE IT! That last picture is NINJA! Ooops. I mean AWESOME! Lol 😉
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These are beautiful, such lovely knitting!! They look great on you and I can’t wait to see your future knitting projects. I’m making my first cardigan at the moment and loving it 🙂
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I love this colour so hard!!
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Gorgeous. The colour looks great and I do like a big scarf. I am not knitting at the moment, but crocheting a zig zag blanket 🙂
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