Marled Yarn
I’m frugal, thrifty, and penny-pinching. Whichever word you want to use, that’s me – I don’t like to spend money if I don’t have to. In that vein, I’m no stranger to unraveling thrift store sweaters, and I’ve gotten some great yarn from $5 x-large sweaters. My latest obsession is using the yarn from more than one sweater to create a marled yarn. It adds so much depth to the finished item, and you can play with color and contrast as much, or as little, as you like.
This is a lap blanket (the beautiful Hemlock Ring) I am making from 2 cotton sweaters – one mint green, and the other chocolate brown. I love how the colors contrast.
In this shrug I used much less contrast – an off white and a beige. This gives a much more subtle effect.
I wind each color into a separate center pull ball and hold the strands together, lightly twisting as I knit. I find gauge a bit unpredictable, so swatching is important. Even if fit is not a concern, I’ll usually try the stitch pattern with a couple different needle sizes to make sure I get a fabric I love.
Here are two great tutorials for reclaiming yarn from thrift store sweaters:
dawnprickett.blogspot.com
neauveau.com
If you’re not an unraveller, no worries…this technique can be used with new yarn too 
Spiral Legwarmers
OK, I’ve been making legwarmers as gifts for my daughter’s dance teachers, so I have for you here another legwarmer pattern. They are worked in the round with a simple spiral lace pattern which wraps up the legs in opposite directions.
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft (Worsted / 10 ply)
Needle: size 8 – 5mm(circular or DPN for your preferred method of working in the round) I used 2 circular needles, but 2 at a time (on 1 circular with Magic Loop or 2 circulars) doesn’t work because of the lace pattern.
Gauge: 5 stitches per inch in stockinette
Sizing: Average adult woman [infant and child sizes below]
CO 48 and join to work in the round
Work in 2×2 rib for 4.5 inches.
Knit the next round
For Right Legwarmer work chart “Spiral A” 4 times (after round 13 you will have to move your stitch marker one stitch to the left). Worked over 14 rounds, all even rounds are knit. I have also written out the lace pattern for those who do not prefer charts:
Round 1: k6, k2tog, yo (repeat to end of round)
Round 3: k5, k2tog, yo, k1 (repeat to end of round)
Round 5: k4, k2tog, yo, k2 (repeat to end of round)
Round 7: k3, k2tog, yo,, k3 (repeat to end of round)
Round 9: k2, k2tog, yo, k4 (repeat to end of round)
Round 11: k1, k2tog, yo, k5 (repeat to end of round)
Round 13: k2tog, yo, k6 (repeat to end of round)
For Left legwarmer Work chart “Spiral B” 4 times. (after round 13 you will have to move your stitch marker one stitch to the right)
Round 1: yo, ssk, k6 (repeat to end of round)
Round 3: k1, yo, ssk, k5 (repeat to end of round)
Round 5: k2, yo, ssk, k4 (repeat to end of round)
Round 7: k3, yo, ssk, k3 (repeat to end of round)
Round 9: k4, yo, ssk, k2 (repeat to end of round)
Round 11: k5, yo, ssk, k1 (repeat to end of round)
Round 13: k6, yo, ssk (repeat to end of round)
Work 2×2 rib for 4.5 inches.
Cast off using sewn bind off (or your preferred stretchy bind off method) and weave in ends.
Infant/toddler (child) size
CO 24 (36), join to work in the round
10 rows ( 3 inches) of 2×2 rib
For right legwarmer work “Spiral C” twice (4 times), for left legwarmer work “spiral D” twice (4 times)
10 rows ( 3 inches) of 2×2 rib
Finish with sewn bind off – http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/howto/archive/2008/05/15/sewn-bind-off.aspx
Weave in ends
Eyelet Rib Legwarmers
Worsted weight superwash merino
US8 needles – 5mm (circular or DPN for preferred method of knitting in the round)
Sizing: These legwarmers fit my 8.5” ankle/13” calf, but the ribbing pulls in a lot and would fit smaller legs. If you add a full repeat, you will add about 4.5” at the widest point (when stretched. again, the ribbing pulls in a lot and will fit smaller) You can also fiddle with the ribbing in between the eyelet sections to get the size you need. If you knit this, I would love feedback.
M1: I used the nearly invisible increase found here: http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2007/05/very-nearly-invisible-increase.html
When it came to increasing in the purl section, I used the same method, but purled the stitch instead of knitting it. (I looked at the back of the work to find the stitch I needed to place on the left needle)
CO 42 and join to begin working in the round
Lace pattern over 4 rounds
Rounds 1-3: [K5, p3, k3, p3] 3 times
Round 4: [K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, p3, k3, p3] 3 times
Repeat these 4 rounds until the legwarmer measures 9 inches from cast on edge
Increase round: [k5, p3, k1, m1, k2, p3] 3 times
[k5, p3, k4, p3] 3 times
[k5, p3, k4, p3] 3 times
[k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, p3, k4, p3] 3 times
Rounds 1-3: [K5, p3, k4, p3] 3 times
Round 4: [K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, p3, k4, p3] 3 times
Repeat these 4 rounds for another 2 inches
Increase round: [k5, p3, k1, m1, k3, p3] 3 times
[k5, p3, k5, p3] 3 times
[k5, p3, k5, p3] 3 times
[k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, p3, k5, p3] 3 times
Rounds 1-3: [K5, p3, k5, p3] 3 times
Round 4: [K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, p3, k5, p3] 3 times
Repeat these 4 rounds for another 2 ½ inches
Increase round: [k5, p3, k5, p1, m1, p2] 3 times
[k5, p3, k5, p4] 3 times
[k5, p3, k5, p4] 3 tmes
[k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, p3, k5, p4]
Rounds 1-3: [K5, p3, k3, p4] 3 times
Round 4: [K2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, p3, k3, p4] 3 times
Repeat these 4 rounds to 18” or desired length (from cast on edge). End with 3 rounds of [k5, p3, k5, p4]
Finish using sewn bind off (see link below) and weaving in ends.
http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/howto/archive/2008/05/15/sewn-bind-off.aspx
Framed Moss Cable Vest
I love to knit. I love Project Runway. I love Ravelry. So when I saw a group on Ravelry putting these three elements together I knew I had to join. Project Yarnway Group
The first challenge was in February, and was to create something entirely out of materials you had on hand. For this garment I wanted to create something for my 9 year old daughter since I typically have a tough time finding knitting patterns in her size. She has an eclectic sense of style and loves to layer as well as mix and match textures and patterns. I tried to give this the slightly grown up feeling that she is starting to prefer while keeping it age appropriate in style and fit. I’m almost finished writing up the pattern and it’s a challenge that I am thoroughly enjoying. I’m very excited about my first original design.
