A few weeks ago, you asked about craft projects from materials bought at thrift stores. I broke my leg in February, and then got a staph infection in the bone, so I had lots of sitting-around time to knit. This is my scrappy knitted throw. My yarn stash from the Burley, Idaho Deseret Industries was in our storage trailer and I couldn't get to it, so I sent my husband and just told him to bring pastels. I finished this last week.
I had trouble with the edges curling, so I requested help from your readers. Several told me to put a couple of rows of single crochet around the edges. It worked! The second photo shows the edging. The throw adds lots of color to the living room. I enjoyed the way this came out so much that I plan to knit a simple sweater in autumn colors as soon as I finish the crocheted cardigan I'm on now.
There is no special pattern. I cast on 158 stitches and knitted in k2p2 for an inch and a half. After that it was knit one row, purl one row. When I ran out of a color, even in the middle of a row, I tied another one on and kept going. It is 5 feet wide and 6 feet long. It was fun to choose colors that I thought would lead the eye to the next stripe. It was pretty much stress-free. I wasn't trying to win the House Beautiful award; just relax and get better.
Thanks for all you do with the Thrifty Fun website. I read every issue and have saved many of the craft projects for later.
Here's the detail of the edging. I crocheted three rows on three of the sides. The ribbing didn't curl, so I left it alone.
Dear Coreen, I don't use patterns for myself any more, as I know the size and just adapt for different wool thicknesses. For other people I use patterns, but I find them all on the internet, saves buying patterns. I find most colour combinations are good, I make it up as I go. It makes knitting more interesting too.
It is very nice! Inspires me to get going on one too. The next time you make something like this if you will do the first few ( 3-5 or however wide you'd like) stitches of each row in garter stitch or seed stitch you will not have the curling problem. Also do the first and last few rows in whichever stitch you choose to do the sides.
Oh, Coreen, what a beautiful knitted throw! The end result looks like a high dollar designer product. I sew but I don't know how to crochet and can knit somewhat. Have made lots of neck scarfs using stash yarn from my knitter friends. Peace and Blessings and may your healing continue to go well. Joan - Dilley TX
Dear Colleen, you have done a lovely job. I have been knitting sweaters for years like this, using up wool that has been left over from other projects. Every winter I have at last one new sweater.
Your throw is lovely! If you want other ideas for using your "stash" of yarn, why not make throws for nursing homes, caps for babies, etc. If you can work with two strands of yarn at the same time, you can make rugs for the animal shelter. Thanks for sharing, and God bless you.
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
