Mobius(s)

In the knitters world the "Infinity Scarf" is also known as a Mobius scarf. We like the Cat Bordhi method of using a 48" circular needle and knitting from the center outwards. You can purchase her excellent book with it's plethora of creative versions, and in the meantime get started with her simple, ingenious speedy cast  on available as a you tube video.

This month I made one out of King Cole Galaxy, a brushed acrylic/mohair mix which is also threaded with sequins. I used an Inox 6 mm/48" circular needle and cast on 120 stitches.

For fun, I am also making one with the same yarn, 2 related shades, doubled, on the same 6mm/48" needle. 

The most favorite mobius we have at the shop is this one, made from(vintage) Pingoin fine angora. I used the sawtooth border as the cast off which I found in a Knitty magazine design called Justify. I find it tricky to cast off loosly enough, and this alternate border adds lovely interest plus it is completely stretchy.

After casting off the mobius, block by stretching as far as it will comfortably go, then lay on the end of the ironing board (because you only want to gently steam one layer at a time), keeping the width consistent, going round and round, section by section. Galaxy has quite a bit of man made fiber and is senstive to heat, plus knit purl ridges don't want squashing.

Once again I use the trusty wet (Australian) tea towel and steaming thoughoughly yet gently. The piece should feel warmly damp.

When completely dry, use a brush to improve the nap of the fabric, stroking the stitches with the horizontal grain of the stitch pattern. Done! There are lots of other infinity scarves out there, most notably on the Garnstudio website.

Felting and fulling

Some past felting adventures for you

We used to have the company of Paula Shasta the fiber artist at our shop and she is most practiced at felting. Her favorite yarn was Kureyon by Noro and no wonder, such great colours! Here is a Noro felted Seven Circle Necklace.

very very fully felted

the striking colours of the Noro yarn are wonderfully muted and blended

as a bonus, the felting makes the necklace a warm and windproof scarf.

This capelet is also knit and felted by Paula then decorated with flowers. The design is from a past issue of Interweave Knits I believe. Any body out there remember the back issue, please let us know.

I made this study purse myself out of the Tove using the honeycomb stitch and based on the Booga Bag.

My understanding of felting is that you can no longer distinguish the stitches or weave of the fabric. If you can still discern the threads the article is said to be fulled. Success with felting is helped by lots of practice and keeping good notes about the details, needle size, number of washings etc. etc.

A few summers ago, Paula, Mayah and I attended a felting workshop at the Haliburton School of the Arts. Our instructor was the fabulous weaver Lucille Crighton. We learned so much, and had a lot of fun. Lucille shared lots of tips and techniques with us, and among them the primary importance of notes and records.

Feltable yarns we especially like include  Peer Gynt, Tove, Cascade 220, Kureyon, Lopi, Lopi lite and Freedom Spirit.