My final (at least for now) Philodendra scarf, in Handmaiden Fine Yarn's Mini Maiden silk and wool blend yarn, is fresh off the needles. As usual, the unblocked finished object looks like a wadded up dish rag. Guess I'd better get blocking.
On another note, have I mentioned that knitters and crocheters are the best folks around? At least I think they are, especially after a very thoughtful new friend (one of three of us named Robin at Camp 1) from Meg Swansen's Knitting Camp sent me this lovely surprise in the mail today.
Robin wore the cutest T-shirt that she'd made herself by creating an iron-on transfer with this picture of an American Robin. When I admired it, she kindly offered to send me a transfer. Thank you for the adorable transfer Robin, I can't wait to make my own shirt!
And thanks to my readers for stopping by my virtual studio today - I wish you peace, blessings and many hours of happy stitching!
Our extended winter was still in full swing, and I was in the midst of chemotherapy treatments, when I first began experimenting with stitches and swatches for the Philodendra scarf.
I longed for spring, vitality, and something bright and cheerful to knit and wear. Thus, a travel-friendly project combining an airy stitch pattern, lightweight silk-wool blend yarn, and bright colorway was an easy choice.
I love the way a pretty scarf can elevate simple jeans and a white shirt to 'outfit' status so I set out to make something light and delicate enough to wear as a warm-weather fashion accessory (however, since the pattern requires only
a single skein of yarn, I also plan to knit it in a special, wintry cashmere
yarn I've been hoarding!).
The Philodendra stitch pattern includes multiple decreases and yarn overs on right side rows, creating almost as much air as fabric (wrong side rows are purled). I didn't want the pattern to be too challenging for most knitters, so I opted for a one-piece construction eliminating the need for grafting or a provisional cast-on.
The twin panels of meandering vines are defined by columns of eyelets and cascade the entire length of the scarf, just as a natural vine would do.
And speaking of vines, this leafy stitch reminds me of a favorite plant, philodendron cordatum, one of which (similar to this one from Design Sponge) grows in my living room window.
Hardy and undemanding, my philodendron produces lovely pendulous leaves, offset along the vine, that add a little greenery and life to the room.
I've knit several versions of this scarf, starting with a lavender prototype in Fiber Optics Foot Notes yarn, and have just finished the latest version (in another yarn), not yet photographed, which I'll eventually post to Ravelry.
For the main pattern version I knew I wanted to start with a bright, fresh, green yarn in a lightweight wool or wool blend, but I had a really hard time finding the exact color I wanted until I finally came across Cascade's Heritage Silk in the Citron colorway.
The color was just what I had in mind, and the addition of silk to the wool in the yarn lightens the scarf and adds sheen and drape to the fabric.
I must give a giant thank you to my awesome test knit team for their help on this pattern - Cheryl, Connie, Laurie and Josefina. As usual, they came through with flying colors on this project. You ladies are terrific!
Once the knitting was complete, I had a lot of fun photographing the scarves and got much too carried away with that part (what else is new? Lol), experimenting with different ideas.
I promise, one of these days I will start using proper lighting and manual camera settings, hahaha...
Thanks for stopping by my virtual studio today, I wish you peace, blessings and happy knitting!
