Just got some handspun yarn.. need a project

[goodwifefarm]

My friend Rhonda just sent me some BEAUTIFUL hand spun and dyed mohair and wool mix yarn. It is so lovely and I need a project to use it on. Any ideas? I knit, no crochet (never have been able to do that) and am not the very best knitter in the world but can handle simple patterns. It's so pretty I'm terrified to mess it up! Help! :o

http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo27/goodwifefarm/yarn001-1.jpg?t=1230761424

[pcrowder]

How about a simple stocking hat and matching scarf? With those colors, I think they'd be GORGEOUS!

[pcrowder]

Oh, I forgot - WELCOME! ;D ;D ;D ;D

[pcrowder]

Or maybe just a very simple "triangle" shawl...The colors truly are beautiful.

[goodwifefarm]

Thanks! When I got it in the mail today and opened it, I was just like WOW! It really is lovely yarn. I'm not sure that I could handle a stocking cap ??? I know I could do a scarf as I've done those before with lovely long fringe on the ends. I thought about a shawl, I thought that would really be lovely. I wonder if I'd have enough? Thanks for the welcome and after I decide on a project and get it done, I'll post more pics! ;D

[MYellowRose]

See if your friend can tell you about how many yards she sent you and whether or not it would make a scarf or a shawl. Unless you have a lot more there than I think you do I'd opt for a simple scarf or maybe a long rectangular shawl over a shaped one. Good luck. That is some of the most gorgeous yarn I've seen.

[goodwifefarm]

Hey that is a good idea, I'm sure that Rhonda can tell me how much is there and if I'd have enough for a shawl. I'm so scared to start anything because it is so pretty! There are three skeins, but I don't know how much is in each skein. Thanks for your reply! :D

[Emerald]

Here is an easy shawl I knitted that would look fabulous with your yarn. This is the same shawl, just different yarns. A simple triangle shawl would be good too.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j247/meowgoddess/KnittingProjects018.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j247/meowgoddess/BHM/KnittingProjects020.jpg
Here is the pattern:
SHAWL
Cast on 5 sts.
Row 1: (RS) K 2, yo, k 1, yo, k 2 – 7 sts.
Row 2: Knit.
Row 3: K 2, yo, k 1, yo, place marker (pm), k 1, pm, yo, k 1, yo, k 2–11 sts.
Row 4: Knit.
Row 5: K 2, yo, k to marker, yo, sl marker, k 1, sl marker, yo, k to last 2 sts, yo, k 2 – 15 sts.
Row 6: K 2, p to last 2 sts, k 2.
Rows 7–8: Repeat Rows 5 and 6 – 19 sts.
Row 9: K 2, *yo, k2tog, rep from * to 1 st before marker, yo, k 1, yo, sl marker, k 1, sl marker, yo, k 1, **yo, k2tog, rep from ** to last 2 sts, yo, k 2 – 23 sts.
Row 10: K 2, p to last 2 sts, k 2.
Row 11: Repeat Row 5 – 27 sts.
Row 12: Knit.
Repeat Rows 5–12 for pattern 9 more times – 171 sts. Do not bind off.

FINISHING
Leave sts on needle. * Insert crochet hook through the next 3 sts and slip off needle, yo and draw through all sts on hook, chain 7; rep from * to last 3 sts, insert crochet hook through last 3 sts and slip off needle, yo and draw through all sts on hook. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

[goodwifefarm]

Thank you, thank you thank you! That is truly lovely! I'm printing off the pattern now! ;D

[goodwifefarm]

Hi Emerald........what size needles did you use on that? Thanks! :)

[Emerald]

Sorry about that - I used size 13 needles, size K crochet hook and 2 skeins of homespun yarn @ 185 yds each. Be sure & share a picture when you finish your shawl!

[goodwifefarm]

Thanks and I surely will post a pic! :D

[silvergramma]

omg if i could buy stuff like that i'd be making lovely lacy shawls i have several older patterns one for hairpin lace.. the shawl almost drags the floor and some other goodies those colors are amazing

[LittleChick]

...it's gonna be a long winter next year... might think to consider making a pair of open *crotchless* :o (OMG did she say that out loud??) leggings...

....and if you had enough left over a little cami top to match....

sure would keep you warm no matter the weather outside! :)

--LittleChick

[handspinner]

That is lovely yarn. A shawl, a vest, a purse or bag and felt it, a baby blanket, mittens, scarf or a hat with a neck wrap attached.
I would like to see what you do with this.

Handspinner

[CastIronCook2]

Hey that is a good idea, I'm sure that Rhonda can tell me how much is there and if I'd have enough for a shawl. I'm so scared to start anything because it is so pretty! There are three skeins, but I don't know how much is in each skein. Thanks for your reply! :D

That's lovely yarn, goodwifefarm. You've probably already figured out what to do with it, but to determine approximate yardage:

Untwist the skein, stretch it to its maximum, then measure the distance (in inches) from end to end. Next, count the strands on one side of the stretched skein, multiply by the number of inches, double that, then divide by 36. It's best to do this with each skein. (In the picture, the skein on the far left appears to be thinner than the other two.)

Let us know what size needle you chose and how those colors lie as you knit them. Looks like really delicious yarn to work with. And don't worry if you change your mind after you get started; can't tell you how many miles I've ripped and reknitted.

[CarolAnn]

My favorite and fastest project in knitting is to knit a lap blanket. I knit/purl about two inches of flat and then make a texture strip by knitting two rows and continue the pattern for two inches that way, etc, until I have the length I want. The width is only knitted about half as wide as I want because after I bind off two inches, I DROP 3 or four stitches and work them all the way out to the end, bind off another two inches etc.
- it creates runs that widen the blanket and makes almost a plaid pattern of texture! With the pretty colors in your yarn, this would be lovely! If you're not sure how you'd like it, you can try it with any scrap & make a scarf before you commit to a whole blanket.

I've used this pattern where I didn't have enough yarn to do the project. Dropping the stitches every two inches doubles the width!