I cast off this project several weeks ago, and I have to admit that it's been hard to keep on display at the store and not on my own neck. This is the Lace Ribbon Scarf from Knitty, and I used just one skein of Malabrigo Sock in the Candombe colorway. I have a really nice color selection in stock right now in Sock, so it's a good time to pick out a color for someone special in your life. This is the perfect gift knit- under $20, fits all sizes, and is a simple yet impressive design. Definitely something you can mindlessly knit while watching all the new fall TV shows.
This is the second time I knit this pattern, and the first time I used one and a half skeins of Casbah. But this time, I wanted to show a great one-skein project in the store, and so I knit the pattern until I had a few yards left, then skipped to the bind off. I love how the color knit up- no obvious striping or pooling. I blocked out the scarf to show off the lace, but it seems to have un-blocked itself over the past few weeks. Perhaps I didn't let it dry all the way? I have to admit, my blocking talents aren't great. So if you have any tips, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
I too have knit this scarf twice. One in Casbah pewter, the other in a Sweet Georgia semi-solid. The first one I blocked with my steam iron the lazy way and the second one I wet the scarf and used blocking pins on a blocking mat. As soon as the scarves were in use, there wasn't any difference - they both sort of rolled in again. Still a great scarf though - always gets lots of compliments. Love the colourway in your scarf Allison - Malabrigo is a beautiful yarn.
Posted by: Wendy | September 26, 2011 at 02:40 PM
I've been so tempted to cast this one on... it looks so lovely, but for some reason, my brain keeps telling me that it's going to be difficult! Lately I have beene easily discouraged with knitting, so I need a confidence builder project... but the pattern sure is gorgeous!
Posted by: Bronwyn | September 26, 2011 at 03:03 PM
I love the color of this scarf you made. I started doing a lot of lace knitting lately, and I invested in a set of steel wires, T pins, and rubber interlocking mats so I can do intensive blocking. I first soak my finished knitting in warm water with a few drops of Woolite or Eucalan in it. I soak it for an hour to really relax the yarn. Then I rinse out the soap with cool water, and roll up the knitting in a clean dry towel. I squoosh the towel for a minute or so to get the water out of the knitting so it won't felt from too much squeezing. I then run wires along all the edges, catching any points of lace, and tips of designs, and I overlap the wires if it's a long scarf. I pin it onto the mat, measuring everything with a tape measure, and stretching hard to get my measurements. Then I let it dry real well, give it all the time it takes to dry out. I ususlly start blocking with the mat on the bed, but if the yarn is still wet at bedtime, we carry it to the bathtub, or set it on a table or something long to finish drying. So far everything has held it's shape with no problem. I try to set aside an hour or so to do the wires and pinning. Last week I blocked two scarves and a shawl, and it took me about 2 hours to get it all wired and pinned to the mat. I had one scarf that I grafted in the center, that looked wavy and poochy. But after I blocked it this way it looked smooth and even. I hope this helps. I sometimes use the steam iron when I've made something small, but for a scarf like you made, I think you need a lot of soaking, and the use of wires and pins to stop the curling and pulling.
Posted by: Nathanne Verner | September 26, 2011 at 08:11 PM
That is definately one gorgeous scarf!
Posted by: | September 26, 2011 at 09:27 PM
I love it! It was already in my favorites on Ravelry! Now must get it into my knitting que!
Posted by: April | September 27, 2011 at 05:10 PM
I use a blocking board, blocking wires and T pins. The board is covered with a big square of fabric that I had sewed together. It is a Buffalo check pattern and I use the squares to keep my wires straight. I spray the item with water and always let it dry a minimum of 24 hours. Your scarf is lovely!!!!!
Posted by: Patty McD | September 27, 2011 at 09:48 PM
Beautiful! I'm stunned
Posted by: brandi | September 28, 2011 at 02:02 PM
Amazingly beautiful
Posted by: sarah | December 21, 2011 at 12:23 PM