22 April, 2011

ABCs of Stash Reduction—Arlene's World of Lace

The last few months have seen, to put it impolitely but to call it like it is, a shitstorm of attacks on my livelihood and on my profession. In fact, before coming over here to chat with you all, I wrote yet another letter to my state representative. For the first time in my career, I have been scared about my financial future. And therefore, for the first time, my enormous stash is looking like less of a burden and more like what I will be knitting from so as to save money in uncertain times.

So I bring you the ABCs of Stash Reduction. In the coming months, I'll be working my way through the alphabet, one project at a time. A is for Arlene's World of Lace. "Arlene" is cool. She doesn't design your typical, lacy, triangular, grandma-would-wear-this shawl. She knits some pretty funky stuff. Her tagline is "Knit. Lace. Different." And it sure is different. Check this out. And this. And this.

I am knitting Briochette.



Briochette is a fingering-weight scarf knit in zigzagging columns of—you guessed it—brioche stitch. The pattern is a fun one. It's not difficult but definitely requires attention. The pattern is segmented into three parts: beginning (tip to middle), middle, and end (middle to tip). To me, one of the best things about the pattern is that it is adjustable. Want a longer scarf? Just knit more pattern repeats in the middle section. My plan is use up nearly my full skein of Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock by weighing the yarn. When I have used up nearly half the yarn, I'll just double the number of repeats I have already knit in the middle section and then knit the end section.

I really like how when you view the scarf at certain angles, it looks almost striped.



And did I mention? The pattern is free. Which is just what this girl needs right now.

2 comments:

Crazy Knitting Fool said...

The scarf is lovely. I have added the pattern to my queue.

Carlo said...

You crack me up..."Stash Reduction"! Ha! Double Ha! You are so clever...you must be a teacher!