Monday, February 18, 2013

Almost Autumn





It's almost Autumn. Anyone else looking forward to the cooler days and later sunrises? I can tell it's almost Autumn because the Twilight has become more pronounced here in Tasmania - that lovely hour before dusk known as the 'glowing hour' where the hills glow like a lantern as the sun sits low over the horizon before it finally sets. And there's the tree out the front that starts to turn pink. Not yellow or orange or red as you would expect, but a really bright pink. Cerise. Early Autumn colours.

And so it's quite fitting that I have finished my Autumn Scarf early too. Ravelled here.

This was the yarn I bought myself as a gift when the Boys started Kinder the Thursday before last. It's hand-dyed Alpaca fleece grown from a local Alpaca Farm and it is the softest and loveliest yarn I have ever knitted with.

For the first time I bought yarn without any idea what I was going to make with it but after a mooch around Ravelry I decided on the Autumn Scarf as it was simple and would accommodate any length of yarn without compromising the design. As it turned out I only added a couple of extra rows to use up the yarn. It's a simple garter stitch with increasing eyelets at the end of each row which gives it a bit of interest. I thought this was a good introduction to lace, which is what I would like to try next.




I was initially drawn to the combination of colours in the skein but just a few rows in I started to panic as I could see that all the colours were melding into each other like a murky purple-y paint palette. Yuck! I'm not sure I really like the mottled, stripy effect but since it is predominantly grey I think I can live with it and it will go nicely with all those muted colours within.......  


I loved making it because it's the first thing I have ever knitted for myself. Ever.  It will also be a nice reminder of the early weeks when the boys started Big School. I don't usually start a knitting project without finishing the last one so this was a bit of a cheeky interlude as I am part way through knitting Eleanor a cardigan. I realised it was going to be a bigger project than I thought so I needed a quick knit to keep me motivated and this has definitely served that purpose. Does anyone else do that?

Finally, I really enjoyed all your comments on my last Post about Vignettes and Vinaigrettes. Thank you for making me laugh and feel like I don't have the naughtiest Kids in the world. And a very warm welcome to any new readers, so nice to have you on board and I hope everyone has a very lovely week ahead.

Mel x



35 comments :

  1. Beautiful first finished knit! I like the t.v static look of it! And yes I am super dooper excited for Autumn, it's my favourite time of year. Tassie must be absolutely crisp and wonderful around then too.

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    1. Static - that's exactly what it looks like! And I love Autumn too, cool and crisp and clear blue skies :-)

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  2. beautiful - both you and the scarf. Well done. I love the little eyelet pattern on it and that you made if for yourself x

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  3. It looks so different in the skein doesn't it?
    Totally suits you though - and I'm so impressed - I've never knitted anything beyond an unfinished plain knit scarf

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    1. It does! Annoying when things don't turn out as planned. Oh well :-)

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  4. The scarf is beautiful. Its nice to do someting for yourself. I was wondering here in New York we start Spring March 20th. Is that your first day of Autumn?

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  5. Whoa there that scarf is beautiful - and your first knit! I'm a bit scared about entering into lacy territory too but that looks like a good place to start. Lovely to find your blog - I'm off for a little look around x Jane

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    1. Hi Jane, I've knitted before - beanies for the kids and baby things but this is the first thing for me :-)

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  6. You are beautiful!

    Love the scarf and quite jealous you made it. I am hopeless and have christened myself The Anti-Craft!!!

    Can't wait for autumn here either. Has been very hot. It will be a few more weeks before it really cools off here.

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    1. Scorching over there I hear! Hope it has been good for your crop though. And thanks for the compliment - I'm a bit embarrassed now :-)

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  7. Hi Mel, the scarf looks great, I like the way the colours pick up the green in your eyes and the colours of autumn surrounding you. The grey is a great foil for all of them. I am nearly finished my scarf too...more of a Dr Who type though!

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  8. Look at you! Gorgeous thing!

    The landscape shot is magic too.

    Just yesterday the cooler weather kicked in here. I couldn't be happier. Love a change of season.

    rachel xo

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  9. Gorgeous Mel, you AND the scarf. Suits you and those lovely Autumnal leaves beautifully. I need to teach myself to knit again. I used to be able to do it when I was younger, but there is no way I could knit anything that looks remarkably wearable these days. Good on you for getting in and getting it done xo

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  10. Bravo, Gorgeous. You are a crafty minx. You look stunning. As per usual. So sorry we haven't caught up - it's been Stress Central here. Can we aim for next week? J x

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  11. Look at you! So gorgeous in your stunning scarf. That yarn is beautiful. Don't you just love autumn x

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  12. that yarn looks beautiful. Well done for making something for yourself. We don't often do that do we?

    Have a great week,

    Tash

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  13. you and your scarf are so beautiful mel, well done!! i can just about feel that yarn, it looks amazingly soft. i'm so glad you made this for you, it's such a lovely reminder of your first knitted (for you) piece! lace is not complicated at all, you are already doing it!

    p.s. we have the same color eyes :)

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  14. Hi Mel, your scarf is so lovely. I am currently in the States, can't get onto my blog, but pleased to read what you have been up to. It is much cooler here (San Francisco) although it will be getting cooler where we are headed. I am certainly looking forward to being a few degrees cooler at home than when we left. Just love the cooler weather - it is just so much more fun somehow - the clothes and the knitting! The colours suit you too. cheers Wendy

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  15. Beautiful scarf Mel, I'm still getting my head around our different seasons, we are approaching Spring, you Autumn! :) x

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  16. After one of our hottest Summers in recent years, the past week has been somewhat cool and drizzly, though tomorrow we're back up to 35. So I'm thinking Autumn will be well received. The scarf and you are certainly beautiful.

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  17. Your scarf really looks beautiful Mel and suits you, you look lovely. Knitting I have to confess scares me a little all those words, it's like a foreign language. I hope the cooler weather makes it to your part of out beautiful country and some rain too. xx

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  18. That photo of you is gorgeous! Love the scarf as well, you are a clever clogs!!! xx

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  19. You look gorgeous! I'm looking forward to Autumn and all the beautiful changes it brings xo

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  20. I'm very much looking forward to Autumn.
    A lovely knit. You look very pretty.
    x

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  21. Your scarf is beautiful! Autumn is my favourite season, although up here we're still suffering from summer heat and storms :-)

    xx

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  22. Strange how much the colours changed as you knitted it up but it has turned out beautifully. It looks so soft!
    That view of your sunset is simply mesmerising.

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  23. Your scarf is beautiful! I love the colours. Autumn is on its way here too. I love those crisp Autumnal days but I must admit I am not looking forward to Winter and those cold, wet days! Col x

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  24. Your scarf looks lovely. And woohoo for finally knitting something just for you :)
    Autumn is starting to creep it's way into our evenings here in Tamworth too. Slightly shorter, slightly cooler. I can't wait.

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  25. Great scarf Mel. Good on you for making something for yourself... how you find the time I just do not know!
    I can't help but feel a bit sad as Autumn approaches as I know that Winter comes after it. I do like the fact that we have seasons here in VIC though and I am determined to enjoy the changing of the seasons. x

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  26. I'm with you I can't wait for Autumn. Up here in QLD it is the best time of the year with warm days and cool nights. I am loving the scarf. An I think the colours are great. I bet you find they go well with lots of things.

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  27. What a gorgeous scarf! So lovely for you to have a tangible reminder of this important time in your families life - and it looks really beautiful on you as well as the tree!

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  28. The scarf is beautiful (and so are you!) and I think the colours worked really well. It's funny how you are welcoming in autumn as over here we are desperate for spring and some warmer temperatures. Well done for knitting something for yourself. All my recent makes have been gifts, and I'm looking forward to making something all for me. :-)

    Gillian x

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  29. Wow, what a lovely morning! Your little boy is just gorgeous! x

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  30. Hi Mel! I tells ya, no-one does dusk like Tassie! I love your scarf - and what a great photo of you! xx

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