This past week and earlier in the week I was up visiting my mother's house. I didn't bring any scarf or gloves, and as it was bitter cold my mother pulled out some scarves for me to use. And lo and behold, I saw one that I crocheted for her several years ago, back when I crocheted a lot. I haven't crocheted in years, ever since we got the farm. As soon as I saw it I remembered all the time I put into it. I loved making this scarf!
It was crocheted with what I call the afghan stitch. This stitch goes by many names: It can be called Tunisian Crochet, Afghan Stitch, Tricot Crochet or tricot ecossaise, which means Scottish knitting, Shepherd's Knitting, Hook Knitting, Railroad Knitting (working class girls in England waiting for the train to take them to the mills did Tunisian).
Here's a website on the afghan stitch: http://www.crochetcabana.com/specialty/tunisian.htm.
Up close view of the stitches.
And so, I was so motivated, that I started another scarf this past Tuesday. This picture was taken only after a couple hours of work. This time I used a thicker yarn, which will make the scarf very thick and warm. It was a LionBrand yarn. I actually don't like how thick it is, and I think I made it too wide for the thickness of the yarn. It was only one stitch less than the white scarf, but because the yarn is thicker it is much wider across. I am my own worst critic.
I queried several men about scarves, each one said they wouldn't wear a homemade scarf like this one. They said only women wear scarves like this. Maybe it's just the men that I asked, but they are the ones that I know. So, based on that knowledge, I think this scarf is too wide for a woman and I will probably start over before putting too much time into it, making it thinner.
Hopefully I'll get it done by Christmas!
23 comments:
YES....you ARE your own worst critic! This is beautiful. AND I would wear it!!!!!
LOVELY stitches. I can't believe it's so perfectly straight! (If I ever attempted.....oh dear!)
Love it!
That's is an absolute gorgeous scarf....what do men know anyway? lol
Function always beats style on the farm.
Funny how you mentioned on my blog that you used to crochet quite a bit, then you see one of your old projects and you jump right back into it.
It is very pretty. I do like that stitch. My girls all knit. I just watch because for some weird reason I just can't seem to do it. I did crochet and I did knit now the both get mixed up in my brain so I do this weird thing.
I think you have done a great job.
You've inspired me to try that stitch. I love the nice neat pattern it makes. I know the double crochet stitch and know how to make granny squares but that's it. I'll let you know how I do!
Dawn - This stitch is so easy to keep straight! Trust me, I am really bad at normal stitches!
Tina - Thank you! my husband would destroy this scarf in one day of working outside, anyway. I wouldn't want him to have it! :)
Chai Chai - Yes function does beat style on the farm anyday! But this scarf isn't for farmwork! It'd be destroyed! The chickens would love to peck it and scratch on it, poop would get on it, oh, my scarf, all the time I put into it!! Lol. No, I was going to give the scarf away to someone as a gift, someone who has no farm, someone who cares about style. Now me, I'm wearing an old grey sweater with pulls and big pockets for holding eggs, and when I go outside I'll put on an old workcoat that has stains, but I don't care because it's WARM and has a nice hood that I can pull up. And I'll wear an old working scarf and gloves, nothing fashinable there! Although I'm a different person when I leave the farm and go to work in the city!!
I knew that I was going to get back into crocheting after looking at your beautiful yarn that you won. It got me in the spirit, sometimes I just need some motivation! Have you stared anything with it?
~Lynn
Okay, I've got to give this stitch a try! I'm just beginning to crochet and so far it's going okay.
Personally I love what you've started and phooey on those guys who wouldn't wear it! haha
Farm Girl - My sister Barb showed me how to knit when I was a kid. I tried it, but never was any good at it. I don't know why, but I think crocheting is easier. My husband showed me how to crochet. Lol. My big, manly, rough and tough husband! Don't let him know I told you!
CAGrammy - I use a BIG crochet needle, not a P size, but almost as big. I just bought a P size needle, so I know how big that is, but it's a little bigger than I wanted, so I'm going to return it. And I found my old needle anyway now. The needle doesn't have it's size on it like knitting needles do. I think the big stitches are prettier than the small tight ones. And get a long needle, as the stitches all sit on the needle at one time using this stitch. Then you work them off. I am very happy to have inspired you to try this stitch! Yeah! you made my day! Definitely let me know how it goes!! :) Good luck!
~Lynn
Toni - Oh yes, you've got to try this stitch. It's so easy! And it looks so nice when it's done. Let me know how it goes ~ I hope you like it! I used to have alot of fun crocheting. I had some cotten yarn and made dishclothes for Christmas gifts one year. I made pot holders several years. I like simple small projects. I've made some afghans, but they take many months to complete. And of course scarves, they are fun. I have never done the doilies or clothes or things like that, that's too complicated and I'm not patient enough! Good luck!
~Lynn
Your scarf is beautiful! I have some leftover yarn, and I'm going to try this. I love the stitch and could use a couple more scarves. I think there's still time to make a couple for Christmas!
Hi Genny - Yeah, someone else is going to try this stitch! BTW - is there a certain color you like? That would go with your winter coat? :D
Have you heard anything about a start date yet???
~Lynn
No sooner had I replied to you within a post on my blog that I switched over to see this gorgeous scarf...it must have put a big smile on your face when your mother bought it out again...What an interesting stitch. Good luck with the new project, I'm sure it will be accepted as a very treasured gift...
Karen :)
Karen - see what you started! If I see someone else starting something, I'm motivated to jump right into it, too! You made those cute ornaments, and another blogger, Chai Chai, had received some pretty yarn, and then my mother showed me the scarf I made before, and off I went crocheting!!! :) it was just meant to be! Thank you!!!
-Lynn
I love the scarf! The stitch is very pretty. Of course men won't wear it - I can barely get my husband to wear gloves when it's freezing! Like Tina said, what do men know?!? lol
I LOVE the scarf you made your mother, and your blue one is going to be just gorgeous! It has been over 20 years since I crocheted, but your post makes me want to crochet a scarf right now. You are very talented.
Lovely knitting! I need to get going on a scarf myself.
I think the scarf looks great. But maybe a little thinner would work better. Not too much though. - I have to go buy some more gray yarn for my shawl I am making. (It turned into a shawl!!) I added the pink in the middle and now I am trying to do another dark gray panel, but the gray I bought when you were here is a tad too light. Maybe tonight I can go try and find some more. I am giving it to Mika and she won't be here till Feb. So I have a little time!
Terry - My husband wears glothes now, finally, but only when working outside. At no other time would he ever wear gloves!
basicliving@backtobasicliving.com -Crocheting is coming back!
Knatolee - Come join the craft club!!! Knitting and crocheting are making a comeback!
Barb - Wouldn't you know, I bought 2 skeins of yarn when I was with you there in NJ, and now I need more to finish this scarf. I went to 3 different places, but cannot find the same yarn anywhere! I'm going to have to go back to Walmart in NJ when I go back there next week to pick up Mom!
~Lynn
Yup, you are your own worst critic!
I have no idea or the talent to stitch. Believe me, I tried years ago. I really do admire anyone who has this talent.
As for what certain men think, well, they just don't have any taste! So there!!
Cindy - My husband dresses for comfort, not for style. But that's ok with me, I wouldn't want him any different! He was among those men who wouldn't wear a girlie scarf. Actually, now that I think about it, he rarely wears scarves unless he's working outside for a very very long time, like plowing snow all day or something.
~Lynn
That scarf is beautiful. Both of them. The white one you made your mom is so pretty and I would buy a scarf like that any day. The beauitful blue one is not too wide and I think it will make a great scarf for a woman. Great work!!
I hope you get it done before Christmas too :-)
God bless you and have a great Christmas
~Ron
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Oh, I love it. So pretty!!! I am knitting a scarf for my niece but it is plain.
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