Marsala is a perfect color for fall/autumn accessories – and it’s been named the 2015 Color of the Year as well!

Knit this Tribal Traces African Sampler Scarf for a stunning addition to your seasonal wardrobe.

I enjoy traveling and often pick up the work of local artisans. The original design for this wrap is based on a painted cloth I found in South Africa several years ago.

This was knit using around 630 yards (575 meters) of a featherweight blend of silk (50 percent), merino wool (40 percent), and kid mohair (10 percent), and is as luxurious as it sounds.

Its design features 2 panels, each with 6 sections representing symbols from tribal culture.

This unique piece measures a generous 11.5 x 69 inches, or 29 x 175 cm.

The Tribal Traces Wrap is also available for purchase on Etsy, if you’re short on knitting time.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Fall (or autumn if you prefer) doesn’t come to Thailand but I’m originally from the northeastern U.S. and it’s a season I miss a lot.

The Lots of Leaves scarf combines two subtle fall colors in a lace leaf pattern with an open-work edging. Knit with lace-weight alpaca, the piece is lightweight while providing some warmth for the cooler fall days.

Knit this colorful accessory and add some easy colorwork skills to your knitting abilities and perfect some lace knitting skills at the same time!

The 6-1/4 x 53 inches (16 x 135cm) scarf required around 100 meters (110 yards) of the light gold color (about 12.5 grams or ¼ skein); and 200 meters (220 yards) of the rust shade (25 grams or ½ skein).

You’ll find the Lots of Leaves pattern along with lots of other patterns for scarves and shawls for all seasons in my Ravelry store. If you’re looking for a finished accessory, be sure to visit my Etsy shop!

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

I wanted to enlarge my Cosmic Blues shawl design without altering the pattern and decided to use a fingering weight yarn with larger needles.

For a larger shawl, measuring 56 x 27 inches or 142.5 x 68.5 cm, I used 460 yards/420 meters of a fingering weight yarn with US4 (3.5mm) knitting needles.

It required 1 115-gram skein of Biscotte Yarns Super Bambou, hand dyed in the color Violette. The yarn is 70% super wash merino, 20% bamboo, and 10% nylon. The bamboo adds an elegant sheen and drape to the knit fabric.

This is one of my paid patterns on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cosmic-blues

You can also purchase this unique Cosmic Blues shawl that’s sure to be a conversation starter! Visit my Etsy shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScarvesShawlsandMore?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

The Forest Fantasy Shawl knitting pattern is now available on Ravelry.

Choose your favorite fantasy colors and create the forest or jungle of your dreams.

This asymmetrical (sideways knit) shawl incorporates the bamboo stitch, open lace stitch patterns, double running leaf stitch patterns, and a loose and leafy lace edging.

When you’re finished, wrap yourself in this light and luxurious lambswool and cotton blend that’s sure start some conversations!

The finished measurements after blocking are:
60x54x37 inches (152.5x137x94 cm)

I used 2 coast ombre packs available from the Tangled Yarns UK website (color range: geranium to ecru).

Intermediate knitting ability with some lace knitting experience is needed for this project.

If you don’t have the time to knit the shawl, you can purchase the finished accessory as shown here on Etsy.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Last week’s work in progress is still in progress (see last week’s blog post) and I have added another one.

This is a variation on my free knitting pattern: ZigZag Garter Stitch Reversible Knit Scarf using 2 strands of yarn and larger needles.

If you download the pattern from Ravelry all you need for this larger and thicker version is to knit with 2 strands throughout on US 11 or 8mm needles. I’m using 1 100g skein each of an Aran-weight mohair blend and a light fingering-weight yarn.

Until the scarf is finished I won’t know how much of the light fingering yarn is required, but I’m sure I’ll use all of the 190 yards/175 meters of the mohair blend.

Come back for a visit next week and see some finished photos. I should have last week’s feature finished – and maybe this one too.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH