Voila`

Finished! I must just need to be in the mode. This was fun and relatively easy, definitely a good learning piece. I don't know why I had to frog so many times the first time I tried it. All I can say is, knit on and you will get it. Oh, and when blocking, use lots of pins, LOTS--especially on the cast-on edge. They really do make all the difference in eliminating the fish tail look. What a fun project!

New to the Team!

Hi Guys! I'm new to this group and I'm loving looking at all the gorgeous scarves everyone is making. It's great to see how different they all look using all the beautiful yarns. I'm posting a picture of my first one (I plan on making another...they make beautiful gifts!).

I used Cascade 220 in a dark purple and a heathered-purple and I was really happy with the results!

I had a problem though...and I'm hoping that someone can shed a little light on this:
I had a "v" shaped cast on edge, BUT my bind-off edge ended up straight! I had a feeling this was going to happen because it happened in another lace scarf I did...so I did a really loose bind-off...and it still happened! Darn it! Can anyone help me with this?

BO #2 - Finished!

I finished my mom's birthday gift just in time. This is my second Branching Out; I have really enjoyed making and giving these scarves. Thanks for all of the encouragement! Now, to tackle my first sweater!

My First KAL

I'm so excited to take part in my first knit-a-long! This is the third time I have cast on for the scarf and I can't tell you how many times I have frogged and "unknitted" sections in my previous attempts. The suggestion of adding a life line was a godsend for me. I seem to be zipping right along now. Maybe it helps with the confidence level--all I know is I'm not making as many mistakes with the line in there as backup. Love the Silky Wool! Have about ten repeats completed so far.

Fin

Hooray!!! My Branching Out is done! I'm so happy with the end result. Blocking Lace is so satisfying. I have a few other pictures over at my knitting blog.

My 3 year old daughter was SO excited to help take out the pins this morning. She was a very careful helper. "Oh Mommy your scarf is so pretty."

The foam letters are technically her's. They are great for blocking knits. I use yellowed headed quilt pins to pin the item during blocking. Since the foam letters are modular you can make just about any size and shape for blocking. I saw the idea online somewhere sometime last year, but could honestly not tell you where.

I bought this set of foam letters at JoAnn ETC for around $20.00 but you can find them at Babies R Us, Toys R Us and the like. I've also seen people use the large foam floor pads that you can buy at Target and Lowe's/Home Depot for blocking.

I've really enjoyed participating in this knitalong. It's been great fun to see so many versions of Branching Out.

It's Finished!!!

I have finally finished my my Branching Out!!!
This scarf took me forever to finish. Finally now that I am finished it, I have the pattern memorized. Go Figure.

This was my first knit-a-long and it was awesome. I learned about "life lines" here, I got inspiration to keep knitting on even though I kept having to rip it out in the beginning, and I even got the idea to knit it in two pieces and kitchener it together here.

Unfortunately though, It didn't work out so well.

I don't really know how to kitchener and I totally messed it up. But that's ok. It's still pretty.

If you want to see more pictures of the finished product, and the mishap of the terrible grafting, you can find that here.

Thanks everyone!

Blocking

I'm done knitting Branching Out.

The scarf is currently blocking in the basement. I use my daughter's foam alphabet squares and quilt pins to block knitted items.

The picture to the left is the scarf just laying out on the foam waiting to be pinned. You can see that it extends from the K to the 1.

The picture to the right is the scarf all pinned up and starting to dry. The scarf still starts at the K but extends past the one and on to halfway into the Z.

Blocking lace is really amazing. You start with this shriveled up mass of stitches that wondrously morphs into this beautiful, open pattern.

Overall it was a fun knit. I'm glad I tackled Branching Out. I'll post a final picture once it is finished blocking.

Greetings

Hi Everyone. My name is Karen and I am new to the knitalong.

I started my Branching Out back in September 2005 but put it aside after about thirteen repeats. It's in purple Reynolds Saucy Sport Mercerized cotton. You can sort of see how I color coded the chart in the picture to the left. The color coding really helps me follow the chart.

As part of my 2006 knitting resolutions I decided to not start any more projects until all wip's were complete. Branching Out is all that remains of the four wip's that helped me ring in the new year. I thought that joining a knitalong would be fun additional motivation to finish up Branching Out.

Thankfully I set it down at the end of a repeat so it was pretty easy to get back into the pattern.

Thanks for the opportunity to share my Branching Out with everyone.

Here she goes

Here's the very beginning of my Branching Out. I'm using Silky Wool and size 6 needles rather than size 8, as the pattern calls for, because I'm a loose knitter. I'm glad I've got Bryspuns, with their nice pointed tips--I don't know how I'd manage those k3togs with blunter tips! This is an enjoyable pattern, quick and easy. I'm planning on doing 1-2 repeats a day. More than that, and I'd probably start making mistakes.

all done

She measures just about 60" long. Light and airy as advertised. My daughter can now get her hair cut whenever, as this was done on a request by her oh so favorite hair cut lady.

I'm thinking of making another; I have some Peruvian Baby Silk, that would be nice.

Branching Out all wrapped up!

I have been admiring all of the beautiful FOs on this blog. Congrats to all! I finished mine just before Christmas and my mother loved it. I made an i-cord with the green yarn and some scrap red yarn to create the bow. I used Elizabeth Lavold Silky Wool and I was able to get 27 repeats. Good luck for all of you fellow Branching Outers!

About Half way

A Branching Out "beauty shot" with Shiloh. We are about halfway done. Daughter is pleased; this will be a gift to her beloved haircut lady. The staff at the salon are fascinated at the knitting I do while I wait for daughter's haircut.

The mohair is more purple than shown; the flash sort of fades it to periwinkle. It's light and fluffy, and about 9 inches wide instead of the 7 inches specified. But hey, it's a scarf!

Scarf done, gone to auction

I finished my scarf sometime in October of 2005, but I haven't had time until now to get in a post with the all important picture. The scarf was successfully sold at a silent auction, which benefitted the Jasmine Charitable Trust. I was a bit sad having to part with it, but it was for a supremely worthy cause. If I get the time and come across some more yarn I like, I'll just have to knit another for myself. Until then, happy New Year!

Branching Out #2

I finished this scarf a while back but hadn't gotten around to posting a finished picture. Well, here it is, looking a lot like it did while it was blocking. :) I still love this pattern, so I will go on to make a 3rd scarf ... probably a pink one for my mom to match (well, only in color & yarn) the roll brim hat I made for her a while back. Hmmm... wonder if it is possible to make a hat using the Branching Out pattern so that we can get a matching hat & scarf set? However, a lacy hat isn't exactly warm though...

http://smariek.blogspot.com/

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