An abundance of scarves

Picture-heavy post to make up for my absence?

I have knit several scarves recently. Three for Christmas presents, and one for Tim which I started a while ago and finished at some point in early November, I think.

Tim's scarf:


Angel Hair yarn, size 15 needles, chunky rib of p3, k4, p3, k4, etc.
For the most part I am happy with this scarf, although the way I bound off makes it kind of flare at one end, which bugs me. However, Tim told me I couldn't take it back from him to "fix" that, so I guess it is just a part of the scarf's personality.

Sherri's scarf:


Jo-Ann Sensations Rainbow Boucle yarn, crocheted, size J hook, worked lengthwise with lots and lots of increases, on both sides of the chain (worked around it rather than going back and forth.)
This scarf is perfect for Sherri and I like it because she loves it, but it's not a style I would make for myself!

Amanda's scarf:


Jo-Ann Sensations Rainbow Classic yarn, size 10 1/2 needles, garter stitch with some patterning: occasional rows of purling instead of knitting, and occasional rows of yarn overs after every stitch, which were all dropped on the next row.
I think this is my favorite of the four scarves, although I kind of wish I had made it just a bit longer.

Brooke's scarf:


Acrylic yarn, granny squares, alternating rainbow on the outside with black on the outside.
This scarf was inspired by the blanket I am making. I was sewing together the squares for that and had a strip of them sewn together, and my sister stole it and started wearing it as a scarf. :)

Squares, squares, everywhere

In May I started my job at the daycare. I don't drive, so it was a bus ride to and from work every day. Somtime in late may or early June I started a bus project. Granny squares.

The basic granny square is so simple and easy, yet there is so much you can do with it! Variations on the colors you are using, plus sooo many variations on how you can make it. (Some of them much less simple.) And they can also be put together to make anything from afghans and scarves to bags and hats and sweaters. I am making an afghan.

I love the book "200 Crochet Blocks" by Jan Eaton - it has some really neat varieties of squares, in all levels of difficulty.

But, anyway... These squares that I am making are all the basic granny square design, using a variety of colors.



I chose granny squares mostly for their portability. You only need to bring one ball of yarn and your crochet hook and you're ready to go... No lugging around the entire afghan. It's a project that can fit right in your purse and go anywhere with you. Ideal for something you're carrying on the bus every day.
At night I empty the completed squares into a bag in my apartment, switch out the balls of yarn in my bag, and I'm ready to go for the next day.



I'm up to about 160 squares, which is probably about a third of the total I plan to make for this blanket. (I want a big snuggly blanket!!) And I've lost my crochet hook. It is an "I" hook, which is not one I usually use, and... I only had one of them. So until I get a chance to go buy a new one I am unable to keep making squares. At this rate the blanket won't be ready until next summer!