Portrait Scarf or Adventures in Felting

Some time ago I came across Shibori Knits: The Art of Exquisite Felted Knits by Gina Wilde in a clearance bin.  After I bought the book, I glanced at the designs, and shelved it away.  Other than some unfortunate acne looking scarves, the book really did not have anything I thought I would knit.  In the past I saw a scarf with a felted wool center and silk sides and wanted to make one.  Surprisingly, I had missed this pattern in Wilde's book.

I knew I had some silk and soy yarn that wanted to be this scarf.  I dug through my odds and ends and came up with 4 different wool yarns to use for the center.  I knew the cobbled together center might be a problem, but not to be deterred I jumped into this project with both hands and a size 10.5 circular.

The author suggested that felting can be an adventure, and what an adventure it was.  First came the 70 inch I-cord and picking up about a million stitches on each side (okay it was more like 175 and the pattern said 300).  Again I forged onward. 

Once the knitting was done, I got a little stuck.  As I have stated before we have had a hot water problem in the basement, so I had to wait for the washer to get fixed.  Well, my lovely wife made sure I had my hot water.  Once the washer was fixed with a pair of jeans and a Shout color catcher sheet, I threw in my pretty green scarf. 

Looking Smug in My New Scarf

I stood next to the washer waiting for the big reveal and what a reveal it was.  I expected a felted center, but not a felted edge too.  Well, the 100% soy, Pure yarn felted too.  At first it was disappointing, but with a little trim I actually liked the way the edges fuzzed up too.  I love how the scarf has the look of a drapey much loved scarf.  Glad I took another gander at Wilde's book.  Loving this pattern and the end product.

Feed your head

Yesterday, was one of the best thanksgiving I have ever had. Everywhere I went I was hail lady well met. I had all the usual thanksgiving fare and then some. I am sure I will have to do some sort of penance for that. I think the winner for best food was Semperfiona's pecan pie. I am a cake girl, not liking the crust on pie, but SF did some special juju to her crust on her pecan pie that made it beyond edible. After my piece of pie I wanted to go back and wolf down the rest of the pie with no regard to anyone else in the room. It took restraint and control to keep my extra large tush planted in my chair. The crust was just so perfect. Crunchy and light with out being too doughy or tough. She said something about vodka in the recipe. To that I say da Semperfiona, da.

Anyway, for those who are stickler's about there Alice. I am aware the dormouse never said feed your head, that would be pure Jefferson Airplane. But I can think that if the dormouse had lived through the 1960s he very well might have said something like that.

So I felted the extremely large bag I have been working on. Actually, what I should say is Tammy felted it for me last night. It is still being blocked at Rivendale. It is actually wider than I wanted it to be after it was felted, but I had suspected this was going to be the case. Anyway, I looks pretty good for my first felted project. We shall see how it turns out once I put the finishing touches on it. Look for photos of the finished product.