Big to Little Striped Scarf

Here’s the pattern for the scarf that I knit for Jefferson High School. Scroll down to the October 16 post for a photo of the scarf. I used 2 skeins of Eco Wool (1 skein each of colors 8457 and 8449) and size 9 16” circular needles.

Cast on 56 stitches using color A. Place marker and join into the round, being careful not to twist your stitches. Knit 19 rounds.

Change to color B and knit 2 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 18 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 3 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 17 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 4 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 16 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 5 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 15 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 6 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 14 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 7 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 13 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 8 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 12 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 9 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 11 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 10 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 10 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 11 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 9 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 12 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 8 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 13 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 7 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 14 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 6 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 15 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 5 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 16 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 4 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 17 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 3 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 18 rounds.
Change to color A and knit 2 rounds.
Change to color B and knit 19 rounds.

Bind off. Cut 28 11” lengths of yarn for fringe, in both colors. Apply the opposite color fringe to the color at each end.

Yippee! You’re done!

Mmmmmmmm...Coffee

And I don't think I'm alone in this one. I do like myself a good cup of coffee. Well, to be exact, I like a 12 oz nonfat mocha, some days with a little whip and some days without a little whip. And I have ordered that drink at many a coffee shop. Large chains and small independent ones.

I have to say, my favorite spot right now for the the perfect 12 oz nonfat mocha, with or without whip, is Blend Coffee Lounge. Conveniently located about 4 blocks west of The Naked Sheep Knit Shop!

The gals at Blend are always pleasant, remember my name and my drink (even though I mix it up a bit between the whip and no whip thing; and sometimes I'll get it iced) and make a very delicious and beautiful coffee drink!

And the owner, Lara, is a sweetie! She constantly goes beyond what is expected; whether it's replacing a drink that wasn't just right or giving me an occasional extra punch on my coffee card (gotta love those coffee cards!), I really enjoy chatting with her in the mornings, or afternoons or early evening. Whenever the caffeine bug bites!

It's an inviting spot with good light and comfy places to sit and knit! Maybe I'll see you there soon!

Scarves for Jefferson

In addition to continuing to collect yarn and needles for the knitting groups at Jefferson High School and Harriet Tubman Middle School, we are also collecting hand knit or crocheted scarves for Jefferson High School. These scarves will be sold in their student store to raise money for senior activities, specifically Senior Prom and their Senior Trip. The scarves can be made any way you want, in Jefferson school colors. We have a list of suggested yarns and colors here at the shop, as well as some ideas for patterns.

If you are interested in buying yarn for this project, but don’t have the time to actually knit/crochet the scarf; just purchase the yarn from us, and I’ll make sure it goes to someone who would love to create a beautiful scarf but doesn’t have the financial resources to purchase the yarn themselves. We’ll be collecting the scarves here at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop through the end of the year.

Little Pumpkin

Here's Riley in his festive pumpkin sweater. He's enjoying the cooler weather; a great chance to wear all his stylish sweaters! I'm also enjoying the cooler weather, and the excuse to knit for my tiny little dog! But really, who needs an excuse?!

He's laying next to a felted pumpkin that one of my very talented customers, Craig, whipped up for me. So cute! We have these needle felted pumpkin kits available at The Naked Sheep!

Knitting at Di Prima

The Friday Morning Knitting Group just celebrated it’s 2 year anniversary, and we are still meeting the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at Di Prima Dolci Italian Bakery from 9-11am. At our last meeting, we presented Pat, the owner of Di Prima, with a beautiful scarf that we all took a part in knitting. Her response was priceless, and apparently the gift was given at just the right time to lift her spirits after a tough morning.

I am so thankful for Pat’s presence in our neighborhood. Di Prima is a comfortable and welcoming spot where you can sit and relax and get a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner; as well as just grabbing a nummy coffee drink and pastry to go!

And you will always be greeted with enthusiasm and a lovely smile by Pat!

Knit One, Save One

We are collecting preemie caps for Knit One, Save One: A Campaign to Save Millions of Babies. This effort is sponsored by Save the Children and Warm Up America!

You can read more about it here.

You can download an Action Kit here. The Action Kit contains Easy Patterns to Knit or Crochet, as well as more information on the program.

Join me and knit some sweet little preemie caps that will go to babies all over the world! These babies often have low birthweights, so the caps need to be smaller than we are used to making. A circumference of 9-11” is ideal. Use any smooth, washable yarn.

I'll be giving the caps to Kathy at the Portland Knitter's Guild at the December meeting. She'll package up all the caps she collects and send them in for us. The deadline to turn in your caps at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop is Sunday, December 7.

Thanks!

Therapi Baby Hat

We just got some really great new yarns from South West Trading Company. Our first order with them.

One of the new yarns is called Therapi. It's a blend of wool, silk and Jadeite, which is a fiber created using crushed Jade. It's so soft and nice to work with. It's called Therapi, because Jade is known to have healing qualities. It would be perfect for a prayer shawl; which lots of people seem to be knitting right now.

I made this cute little baby hat with just one skein. I used size 8 16-inch circular and double pointed needles. Here's the pattern:

Cast on 84 stitches. Join in the round; being careful not to twist.

Round 1: Knit.
Round 2: (K2tog) 2 times, (yo, k1) 4 times, *(k2tog) 4 times. (yo, k1) 4 times; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, (k2tog) 2 times.
Round 3: Purl.
Round 4: Knit.

Repeat rounds 1-4 six more times.

Work decrease rounds as follows, changing to dpn's when necessary:

Round 1: *Knit 5, k2tog; repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: *Knit 4, k2tog; repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: *Knit 3, k2tog; repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 6: Knit.
Round 7: *Knit 2, k2tog; repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 8: Knit.
Round 9: *Knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 10: Knit.
Round 11: *K2tog: repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 12: Repeat round 11.
Round 13: Repeat round 11.

With remaining 3 stitches, knit an I-cord that is about 1.5 to 2 inches long. Sew it down to the top of the hat to make a little loop. Weave in ends and you're done!