scarf factory

I spent the last week knitting my little fingers to the bone for Primo's FFA chapter. Final count: 7 scarves, plus one that I had knit up for a sample some time ago and no longer had a need for. The pile on the front hallway table was quite impressive by the end:

Of course the name of the game was super bulky yarn on super big needles, because there is no other way to churn out scarves that quickly. Four of the eight were a quick pattern that showcased the yarn well, I thought.

I am not usually a fan of this type of yarn but I couldn't argue with three hours per scarf, and I did like the end result.

The others were a hodge-podge. One was made with a very thick yarn that unfortunately required two skeins for the length of a scarf, but produced a really nice thick fabric.

As Primo pointed out to his FFA club, however, at the $10 price they plan to charge per scarf, the cost of the yarn wasn't covered if you had to use more than one skein. (He was highly indignant about this. I didn't even get into the whole "cost of your time" argument, because as far as a teenager is concerned, they have so much of it to spare, it stretches out limitless to the horizon.)

One was made with an orphaned ball of bulky alpaca yarn that I had in my stash.

I loved this pattern, and it was another three hour or so effort, from start to finish. I used the same rib pattern for the black scarf, and just left off the ruffles at the end.

Another stash yarn: a hank of handspun that I had made several years ago. I had no plans for it, and it was just laying in a basket, so it may as well find a home somewhere else.

I doubt anyone will buy it, however—it is a little scratchy, and a little short, and a little unusual in color. The pattern was for a cowl, but mine didn't end up quite the same. I added the button to add a little interest and give a way of securing it. It has a shank with a smaller button on the end, so it buttons through the scarf in reverse and can be moved around to suit the wearer.

The last one, modeled by the ever-patient Secondo, was knit side to side some time ago.

And Primo's scarf? Well, this weekend he had: a 4-H project; work; a date with the girlfriend; the county winter track meet; a 4-H meeting; and of course the Superbowl. (In other words, the usual, with the exception of the Superbowl.)

It's a work in progress, on its way to school this morning. He plans to knit it while manning the sale table. Should generate some interest in their wares, at least!