The Artsy Way of Knitting: Mixin' up the Stripes!

I've always had this idea of having a post theme each week/month/whenever with different knitting patterns.  Right now I've pretty much gotten better at experimenting more with scarves but I am working my way up.  One of my favorite things to do while knitting is coming up with a pattern of my own.  I tend to just knit what I want.  I call this the Artsy Way. 

I made this scarf using the stockinette stitch.  This is pretty much when you use the knit stitch for one row and then you use the purl stitch for the next row and so on.  I love how this stitch comes out but the only downside is that it does kind of curl in.  The only change I would probably make it to make it wider.

What I used while make this scarf but feel free to experiment with what you have:

• Number 9 (5.50mm) knitting needles
• two skeins of yarn.  I used a pink and a navy blue. 

I know some patterns start you out with a gauge to measure the rows and width of what you knit but I say do what you like best. No gauge needed here.  Remember, this is 'I am Artsy Fartsy'... Be artsy and make it your way. :)

Here is how I made it:

• Knit 25 stitches across starting with both your colors at the same time. 
• Yes, knit with both yarns together.  It's a bit tricky at first but it gets easier as you go. 
• The first half inch or so of my scarf is just this knit stitch.  I like starting the first few rows like this because it's almost like a cuff for the scarf.  
• Knit one line and purl one line until you have 15 lines (or 3 inches) all together.  
• Switch to the blue yarn; knit one line, purl one line until you have 15 rows (or 3 inches). 
• Switch to the pink yarn; knit one line, purl one line until you get another 15 rows (or 3 inches). 
• Switch back to two yarns; knit one line, purl one line until you get another 15 rows (or 3 inches).
• Keep repeating until you reach your desired length.
• When you are finished, do the next step the way you started; knit a few rows to create the cuff part. 

Add some fringe if you please but I decided against it because I loved the look without it. 

If you have ANY questions on how to do the knit stitch or the purl stitch or any knitting question...  Check out The Knit Witch over on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/theknitwitch --Her videos are very helpful!  Feel free to ask me, as well.  I may end up doing a tutorial on either making fringe or anything like that. Let me know if you'd be interested. 

Create it the way you like it and tweet me a picture!

Cindy

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