Chevron scarf - the verdict

Behold the chevron in all its glory!


Blocking is splendid! Its really made this scarf something special, smoothing out the lumps and bumps, uncurling the edges, and softening the fabric so it feels peachy and drapes like a dream.


And here it is gift wrapped waiting to bring joy to its new owner.

Blocking the chevron scarf - a work in progress

As usual, I've wildly over-estimated my ability to knit quickly. I hoped to be blocking both the orchid lace scarf and the chevron scarf this weekend. The orchid scarf feels mere moments away from being ready for the block, but in reality I'm thinking it will need at least another week.

Anyhoo - its probably for the best that I do my first ever blocking on something more sturdy, like the chevron scarf. Following Madge, the KnitDevil's, instructions to 'block it and block it hard', I began with a good long soak while the Squeeze and I went to the National Maritime Museum. (They have an amazing photographic exhibition on at the moment of Sitakunda on the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, where old ships go to die. Well, to be completely deconstructed and recycled to be more precise.)


Then home again for stretching and pining. I used the dining room table and a towel, but on reflection next time I'll try and find a blocking board.


Its still drying today, but that hasnt stopped Squeak from making herself comfortable amongst it all. She was rolling all over it when I found her, betrayed by the tinkling of her 'fun-police' bell. But as soon as I whipped out the camera, she came over all demure and claimed to be only sitting on the towel. Ha!

Thoughts of scarves

Prompted by that delicious hint of autumn crispness in the air, I've cast on two scarves. Sorry Evie my love, I feel like I am forsaking you. In my defence, even if I finish Evie quickly, I wont be able to wear her for months and months and months, plus, neither scarf is for me!

The first scarf on the needles is the Orchid Lace Scarf, for Aunty Norma for her 80th birthday. While Anne's scarf is a symphony of symmetry and precision, mine is looking a little mishapen and lumpy. I am hoping that it will emerge from blocking looking as elegant as the one on the pattern. As I've never blocked before, I'm a bit nervous about dunking my 100% Sundara limited edition and stretching it, but I'll seek advice from you all when the time comes.

Second on the needles is last year's scarf superstar - the Chevron Scarf. Every blogger seemed to be whipping one up out of Socks that Rock yarn. This was actually my introduction to the divine yarns produced by STR, and I order loads of different colour ways, cast on for myself a dozen times, but could never find a combination that did it for me. However a skein of Sundara sock yarn (courtesy her Seasons Yarn Club) in delphinium was lounging next to a skein of STR Stormy Weather, and between the two of the them they captured all the colours of a good friend's wardrobe. I was inspired to cast on again, and am rather pleased with my efforts this time.


Have any of you made a Chevron scarf? (Ask a silly question I'm thinking.) I've noticed that however much I fiddle with my tension, it tends to furrow as you can see in the photo. Is this another case where all will be solved by blocking, or do you think I need to adjust my tension again?