Monday, October 09, 2006

Rainbow and Rhubarb

Last week it seemed like summer had said good-bye to the city and hello to fall. I'd been poking through my yarn bin hoping to get an idea of what to do with odd balls of yarn when I found my unfinished Kureyon scarf. I'd started it back in february when it was grey and dreary outside and I desperately needed some color. There's no better yarn to pick for some instant happiness than Noro (ok, Malabrigo), it's like the chicken soup of yarn, knit it and you'll feel better. I'd wanted a grown-up version of the Child's Rainbow from Last Minute Knitted Gifts and got two skeins of Kureyon, thinking that would be enough. But then one color ran out much earlier than the other and the scarf wasn't long enough, I didn't want to purchase more yarn. I lost interest. So when I picked it up last week I decided to get one more skein and knit from both ends.
RainbowScarf
The colors are so beautiful, I want to hang it on the wall so I can look at it all the time.
During my vacation I finished a pair of socks. They were supposed to be for me but then I started missing my boyfriend and they morphed into socks for him!
RhubarbSocks
It's just a standard top-down rib pattern, but the yarn is a treat. The colorway is called 'Rhabarber' (rhubarb in English) and it made my mouth pucker a lot during knitting because the colors are just like the real thing. You can buy it here. I got mine as a surprise from Suzi, who I got to meet while I was back home! It's a pretty exciting thing to meet someone you've only known via blogging and email, but it's even more exciting when you have so much fun together you don't want the day to end. It was just a perfect day of sitting in cafes and talking, shopping a little, ending with a wonderful dinner. I was a little sad afterwards, because it'll be another year before we get to have another day like this. But I'm so happy to have experienced that day at all. The possibilities of the internet still boggle my mind!

36 comments:

Sasha said...

I am not usually a big fan of multi-colored knits but those colors are fabulous, love that scarf! How did you knit from both ends, did you pick up stitches on the cast-on end?

Anonymous said...

I love that scarf! I'm just about to start mine. Thanks for letting us know about the yardage issue - I'll keep that in mind.

Anonymous said...

hee hee.. Yes Noro's colors can do that to you too! And those rhubarb colors are super yummy!

Jenna said...

I've been seeing a lot of those scarves lately, they're so wonderful. Love your color choices, too - just the right amount of Noro technicolor going on.

Anonymous said...

I forgot how cute that rainbow scarf is! Who says kids get to have all the fun...

opportunityknits said...

Lovely scarf and socks - the colours of both are just great. I'm glad to hear that you had a good time meeting with Suzi.

Anonymous said...

hey I remember that sweater!

that scarf rocks as do the socks, what a colorful post!

ps miss ya!!

Anonymous said...

Oh well done on the rainbow scarf, the colours are so beautiful indeed! I've been wanting to make one too, but was concerned about the Kureyon being too scratchy against the skin. Do you think it's scratchy at all as a scarf? Or does it soften after a wash?

HPNY KNITS said...

awesome use of Noro. i totally agree with you about the joy of Noro. just this weekend I started and finished a log cabin pillow with odds and ends of Kureyon, and it all works! I could not put it down! I love your BF socks as well.
do you knit with size 1 or 0? they look great.

Mari said...

Both the scarf and the socks look absolutely lovely!

Linda said...

Some yarn colours are just perfectly named! I have to go and find some rhubarb and custard flavour sweets now!

Sarah said...

Fabulous colors! That scarf will be great for all the gray, dreary fall and winter days.

I'm surprised your boyfriend will wear socks that are that colorful. My fiance won't wear anything that isn't some shade of gray or black. Lucky you who gets to knit with color!

Anonymous said...

What lovely socks and scarf. The colors for both are vibrant! It's so nice that your boyfriend will wear your handknit socks. BL's just not into it. Sigh.

Stacey said...

That is a great scarf - the colors play so well off of each other! The socks - my mouth is watering just looking at them! I'll have to check out where you got the yarn from. Those are some of my favorite colors!

spajonas said...

oooh, i just love the colors in that scarf! yep, noro is da bomb.

Gina said...

The scarf is so pretty and cheerful. Perfect for the impeding grey days.

Connie said...

Stephanie, that scarf is beautiful. You're making me want to go out and get some Noro. Must resist! I have too many unworn scarves already. Maybe if it were machine washable (she says wistfully)... Knit blogs can sometimes be read at your own risk! ;)

Anonymous said...

What a colorful post! Both the scarf and the socks are so pretty!

Sue said...

Oh I want to make a scarf like that now, its gorgeous. I love the rhubarb socks too, very nice.

Anonymous said...

LOVE the scarf. I dicounted that pattern just because they marketed it to a child. I am looking at it in a whole new light now.

BrownPants said...

O how I love Kureyon (so much I knit my Clap in it!)

Krawuggl said...

Der Schal ist klasse, und dank dir weiß ich jetzt, was für einen ich als Weihnachtsgeschenk machen werde. Ich hab schon überlegt und getüftelt, aber deiner ist genial, und wie ich hoffe schneller fertig, und die Farben kommen aus der Wolle. Tausend tausend Dank für die Idee!
Und oh ja, ich denke auch gern an den Tag zurück, wär so schön grad jetzt dann in der Weihnachtszeit, so ein Bummel in München wär dann grad toll.
Liebe Grüße!

Anonymous said...

gorgeous scarf and socks, too. surely a scarf that lovely could banish all the rainy days. and i'm still browsing the site where you found the sock yarn....

Anonymous said...

wow! the scarf is totally gorgeous! would you mind sharing the color with us? and i'm so glad to see a guy wearing bright color socks! it looks fabulous!

Anonymous said...

That is one beautiful scarf. What colours did you use?

maritza said...

Wow! The scarf looks great! Love the colors.
And the socks! Ohmy, they do make one's mouth pucker. What gorgeous yarn!

KnittenKnots said...

Yummy scarf - those colors are definitely a pick me up. :-)

Carola said...

Pretty scarf! I was pondering over some patterns this week. Why - if one can achieve such beautiful results with a very simple knit but great yarn. Kureyon might be not ideal for my sensitive skin (hüstel) but Silk Garden surely is. The Rhabarber socks are very pretty as well. Great that your boyfriend is wearing colourful socks like that. Mine wouldn't even come near the most subtle and plain handknitted socks (well, knitted by me. His grandma's are obviously in another league). As always also your pictures are very well done. I so much enjoy reading your blog!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous colours - both the scarf AND the socks! x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful scarf! I rec'd the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book a year ago and have been admiring that little scarf too. Thanks for the inspiration

Anonymous said...

ah what a gorgeous scarf! a work of art, worthy to be framed and hung on the wall for all to admire

Connie said...

Steph,
I finally got myself into a yarn store and looked at a copy of Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Your version of the scarf is so much better than the picture in the book. I remember now why I didn't feel compelled to knit this when I saw it in the book. I am really envious of your knitting and photography skills :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, that scarf looks great! I also did one but it was in Noro's more muted colors.

Anonymous said...

You are right, the colors are fantastic! I just love that quilt from your last post also. YOu are very talented.
Stephanie @ www.mesocrafty.wordpress.com

Elizabeth said...

Pretty scarf, pretty socks. Love all those bright happy colors.

Carson said...

I know what you mean about the blog-induced startitis.
I think I prefer to be a one-project-at-a-time gal. But getting inspired by everyone's projects is hard to ignore. I guess I've still got a "knitting roving eye" heh.
And that Noro scarf..is definately knitting-chicken-soup.
My first project ever -a scarf- was in JJ's handpainted mohair. (I had such a saga with the colour pooling) but it stillcheers me whenever I wear it.