Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year! I spent most of mine with my sister and yes I was knitting too. Quiet but nice. On Christmas Eve I started a new project. Felt very strange knitting something for myself. I had bought some lovely double knit yarn by Click and had to start using it. I designed my own cable scarf pattern and finished it just before the New Year. So my last finish of 2010 was of my own design. You can see the pattern for it at the end of this post.

I wish you could see all the colours through the yarn. It has a hint of purple which the photograph manages to miss. The purple was actually the reason I picked up the yarn. It's also lovely and soft. Ideal for a scarf.

My first finish of 2011 is a pair of ankle socks which are also for myself. I had quite a bit of yarn left over and decided socks would be the ideal way to use it up. Since it's double knit they are very warm so think they will remain as house sock. Again you can't really see the flecks of purple through it.

Last year I didn't set out with any New Years resolutions. I never stick to them and so don't see the point. I did however, manage a few firsts in there craft wise. I knitted my first lace shawl. Something I have always wanted to do. I took part in my first few craft fairs and actually sold a few items. I set up a folksy store and have sold something. I learned to crochet (thanks to the lovely Donna). I also managed to knit everything I had planned for Christmas.

This year I have decided to challenge myself. I am going to attempt to knit a pair of socks for every month in the year. I have already done January's so I think it is manageable. Fingers crossed. Other than that I am just going to try and learn a few new skills. I haven't decided what they are yet but I am sure I will be inspired by some of my many talented friends.

Karen's Cable Scarf

abbreviations

k1 - knit 1

p1 - purl1

c8f - slip four stitches onto cable needle and move to the front. Knit four stitches from needle then knit four cable needle stitches.

YO - yarn over

sk2p - slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over.

Yarn used - click double knit 2 1/2 50g balls.

Needle Size - 4mm

Cast on 51 stitches

Row 1 - k1, p1 - repeat until end of row

Row 2 - p1, k1 - repeat until end of row

Repeat first two rows until 10 row have been completed.

Row 11 - (k1, p1) rpt 3 times, k1, yo, sk2p, yo, k1, p2, k8, p2, k1, yo, sk2p, yo, k1, p2, k8, p2, k1, yo, sk2p, yo, k1, (p1, k1)rpt 3 times.

Row 12 - (p1, k1) rpt 3 times, p5, k2, p8, k2, p5, k2, p8, k2, p5, (k1, p1)repeat 3 times

Row 13 - as Row 11

Row 14 - as Row 12

Row 15 - (k1, p1) rpt 3 times k1, yo, sk2p, yo, k1, p2, c8f, p2, k1, yo, sk2p, yo, k1, p2, c8f, p2, k1, yo, sk2p, yo, k1, (p1, k1) rpt 3 times.

Row 16 - as row 12

Row 17 - as row 11

Row 18 - as row 12

Row 19 - as row 11

Row 20 - as Row 12

Repeat Rows 11-12 until scarf reaches desired length. I used almost three balls of 50g but it's entirely up to you. Finish by repeating rows 1-10 and then cast off.