In the past few weeks I've started knitting on no less than three new scarves. Each one is with fingering or finer weight yarn and only one is big needles. I am loving all of them, and I'm not much of a scarf knitter. However, since I keep on switching between the three not one is finished.
The first one is the Lace Ribbon Scarf from Knitty. I'm using my own handspun yarn, spun from some optim fiber dyed by The YoYo. Optim is seriously soft and drapey. It was loverly to spin, although if you don't like superwash merino, it might not become a favorite for you.
Here is a photo of the scarf the way it looked on the first day of knitting... when I was still addicted.
When I was about halfway through the Lace Ribbon Scarf, I was sorely tempted by some Cashmere. Specifically, some Plymouth Earth Ecco Cashmere that I got at the new LYS in town- CDA Yarn and Fiber. Fairly close to the day that I picked up the cashmere, I just happened to get Nancy Bush's new book, Knitted Lace of Estonia. It's fabulous. I was forced to start knitting the Peacock Tail and Leaf Scarf (Ravelry Link).
It is so, so soft. I have now reached the point on this where I'm deciding how long I want it to be, so I put it on the back burner and started yet another scarfy project. However, since there is no pictorial evidence of the third scarf, I'll save it for another day.
Both scarves are looking lovely! I'm knitting a fingering weight scarf right now too, and it seems interminable. Perhaps I need to follow your lead and just cast on another one (or two)?
Posted by: Micki | December 03, 2008 at 03:02
both of them are gorgeous, but the lace ribbon one!!! wow!!! i need to get going on some easy xmas knitting, but dammit, i can't seem to get away from my wheel!
Posted by: bockstark.knits | December 03, 2008 at 03:57
The Lace Ribbon scarf is such a great design for handspun. Yours is beautiful!
I've got some optim that I dyed and spun a while back. The optim didn't take the color very well though so I don't really like the resulting yarn. Too bad though, because the stuff is crazy soft.
Posted by: Kirsten | December 03, 2008 at 03:58
The lace ribbon is beautiful! I've started that scarf in lace and I don't know if I like it or not in lace. The cashmere is beautiful too!
Posted by: tiennie | December 03, 2008 at 08:33
I love your lace ribbon scarf! Your handspun looks perfect for that pattern. That cashmere shawl looks beautiful as well!
Posted by: jen | December 03, 2008 at 09:05
The handspun ribbon scarf is breathtaking! Your spinning and your photographs are just amzing!
Posted by: stacey | December 03, 2008 at 13:18
Your projects look wonderful! That handspun is amaaaazing and you've picked the perfect pattern for it as well. I'm still waiting on my copy of the new Nancy Bush to arrive - can't wait to get my mitts on it!
Posted by: Jane | December 03, 2008 at 13:38
Mmmm yummy. You're making me want to knit up something new for around my neck!
Posted by: Amber lee | December 03, 2008 at 13:50
Looks amazing on both accounts. Isn't Cashmere just like buttah?!?! I bought 800 yards of it at a recent knitter's fair and I have a question for you before I attempt using it.
The lady that I bought the laceweight cashmere from said that when you knit with it, it's hard to put tension on the yarn because it doesn't even feel like it's in your fingers. Is that something you are dealing with, or was she just handing me a line? I would have bought it regardless because...well just the feel of it, dude! SO SOFT!!
Posted by: Meredith | December 03, 2008 at 15:09
happy scarfing! I have a terrible time finishing scarves, and I think my only hope at it is to take mine on the subway, where time is limited and I have only one thing to occupy myself. I especially love the turquoise color of your lace ribbon one.
Posted by: Eliza | December 03, 2008 at 16:59
Both are beautiful - the cashmere though - wow - it is gorgeous!
Posted by: Jeanne | December 07, 2008 at 18:15
I love, love, love the Lace Ribbon scarf in your handspun! I'm working on some lace/fingering handspun right now, and I definitely need to keep that pattern in mind.
Posted by: kelly | December 08, 2008 at 22:23