The Stairmaster Scarf and Shawlette is a great pattern with visual interest. The pattern is actually quite easy to memorize, and has a look that makes it look very complicated. It’s sure to get compliments when it’s worn. You will need to know how to decrease, and how to cast on stitches as you progress in the pattern. I used Interlacements Sweet Feet, all 400 yards that I had. It was a close call on being able to finish before I ran out of yarn. This project took me a couple weeks to complete, but I wasn’t solely dedicated to working on this project. When I was getting towards the end, with the larger rectangles, I could work an entire rectangle in about 2 hours. Of course the initial ones are very tiny and go very fast.

 

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This is Finn The Human Ear Flap Hat, by Level Up Nerd Apparel. This pattern has now gone live, and my pattern page now links to it. This crocheted hat requires knowledge of both increases and decreases, as well as being able to place markers and knowing how to count your stitches. This pattern can work up very quickly. I was able to finish this over the course of two days. I used Cascade Yarns Pacific, 268 yards, which is an acrylic yarn. I found that this yarn was the right thickness, and was soft enough to be around the head and face. When making a hat, using a yarn that will be itchy or scratchy will mean a hat that is never worn.

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Last night I finished a test knit for a pair of socks called Lion Tamers, by Rebecca Williamson. They are not yet live, but I’ll change the link on my Ravelry page when they are live. These socks are very pretty to look at, without a ton of extra work.  The design is very easy to memorize, and apart from working with two skeins at once, they could be a good travel project. I was able to knit the second sock in about 3 days. A very fast knit. The techniques needed include knowing how to knit 2 together, how to ssk, kitchener stitch, and some other minor details.  Knowing how to knit socks is an advantage going in, but the pattern is so well written that it would be a great pattern for beginners. Since you are using two skeins of yarn, you can potentially get two pairs of identical socks. Or, you could flip your colors and get a pair that are opposites.

I used a solid charcoal grey yarn, whose button band vanished as we were doing some redecorating and moving of furniture. I paired with it a ball of Lang Yarns, Jawoll color, Aktion. The colors are pinks and browns. It paired very well with the grey.

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