Tuesday, January 13, 2009

"Winter Sea" scarf c'èst finis!

I can't believe it - it's done! Xxxxxxxxx's Morning Surf Scarf (fourth one, for Pete's sake) is completely, totally done. Apparently, I'm almost as bad as the Harlot when it comes to obsessing about a specific pattern. Even blocking the fringe is done (body got blocked first b'c I didn't know how to do the fringe the way I wanted to - I figured I'd better finish what I could). I can't say who it's for (don't know if she reads the blog or not), so mum's the word for now. I hope she really, really likes it!

However, I can describe it (as if I haven't in a previous post - ha!). The moment I saw the fiber on Leah's Yarn Or A Tale site - I KNEW it was meant for X. They were her colors (mostly much paler than those colored words) and not anyone else's I knew. On impulse, I bought the only bag Leah had left, and it was a mere 4 oz. Hmmm - I wasn't sure what I could get from that, because it wasn't suitable for socks, being merino and short, cut silk fibers. Wouldn't hold together well enough for socks, I knew.

I could hear that lonely bag of fiber calling my name for months after I bought it, but I had so many other carding and spinning projects, I just shut my ears to its' plaintive cries. It would not be ignored, so in early December (I think!) I took it out of its' dark and (very crammed) drawer and began spinning it into a fairly thick single, wondering what it would become. I couldn't decide between two scarf patterns, both of which I loved, so I decided to knit a bit of both (see agonized odyssey).

Once I decided it had to be the Morning Surf pattern, I quickly knit it up, switching from one ball of color to the other (okay - so I was being picky - it was a gift!), trying to keep the integrity of the color changes intact. Fourteen freakin' ends later....

Anyway - I knew I wanted something special for the ends of this special scarf. All my other scarves, I just left 'as is' after casting off, but not this baby! So, I thunk and I thunk. For 3 days (at least) my brain overheated as I fingered the small leftover balls and pored over many books, mentally looking at - and discarding - everything I saw. Nothing 'fit' this scarf.

Then...it hit me: just make some simple, varied-length, twisted fringe and hang shells 'n' crap off it! Eureka! It would be simple, in keeping with the scarf's design and whole theme-thing going on: the Sea! So...whaddya think?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's a gorgeous shawl and I love that idea for a fringe!

Fairy Spun Fibers said...

Thanks, Eruwen! It's actually only a scarf - I didn't have anything like enough fiber to make a shawl, which was just too bad. I would have enjoyed making a shawl from this lovely yarn!

Delighted Hands said...

The 3 days of overthinking paid off-you have a work of art!

Fairy Spun Fibers said...

You have no idea - but I needed to hear that, Delighted - I really did. If this had been for myself, no, but it isn't. It's for Someone Special, to let her know she is loved and appreciated by many people. She deserves better than what I made, but I did the best I could - I'm just not that much of an artist. I just happen to have occasional flashes of "Hey - I've got a cool idea!" type of thought. Every Blue Moon, or so :-)

Dori Ann said...

How unique,love the fringe! It really looks beautiful,

Anonymous said...

Dang. I knew I did something wrong there ;). I knew it was a scarf, my fingers decided to disagree though.

I bet it would make a lovely shawl as well ;).

Fairy Spun Fibers said...

Hi, Dori Ann - wow, how are you? I haven't heard from you in a month of Sundays! It's great to 'see' you again! Thank you, sweet lady, for the compliment on the scarf. It just seemed to come together so nicely, in spite of the early fits and starts.

I've been so busy here I can hardly find time to update my blog hardly ever anymore. I haven't yet met myself coming and going, but it'll happen - you watch.

Fairy Spun Fibers said...

LOL - *I* know what you meant, Eru! I was just teasing you :-)

Better watch those fingers of yours - you might have to get worried if they start talking back to you!

Laurie said...

I am leaving you a note!! He, he!!
Neat dangles!

Laurie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Fairy Spun Fibers said...

Silly girl :-) Looks like you left me TWO notes - ha!

Thanks, Laurie - love ya, girl!

Laurie said...

Sorry about that! Google Chrome crashed on me!
Only one now!!

Fairy Spun Fibers said...

Quite alright, dear girl - I don't care if comments are dup'ed. It's just that I'm still chuckling BECAUSE...

I still have ...

TWO NOTES from you! har!

::gotcha!::

Rhonda said...

LOVE the fringe and shell dangles! Great job! Eventually we will see each other at the shop, eh? Crazy schedules we both have....

Fairy Spun Fibers said...

Thank you, Rhonda! Our schedules don't seem to be meshing at all, lately, do they? We miss you so much! Surely something will happen where we'll be able to cross paths - so far, Meems and I are batting zero at catching you, though. We've been hearing, "Oh, Rhonda? She was just here!" Sheesh.

Rosemary said...

I love this scarf! Just absolutely LOVE it. What a great idea to put the seashells.

Cheers!
Rosemary

Fairy Spun Fibers said...

Why, thank you, Rosemary! I had such pleasure spinning and knitting the whole scarf. It just came together like a dream!