Monday, August 22, 2011

Fabric Scrap Yarn Possibility #1

Okay.


Remember THIS fabric scrap yarn? I was wondering what to do with it. Remember? Okay. Well...

Fabric Scrap Yarn Possibility #1: Knit a vibrant scarf during long drives to visit the people you love!


To be honest, the scarf sheds quite a bit. But I think it might cease this delightfully colourful behaviour after washing. Maybe. I haven't actually tried washing it yet. I'll have to get back to you on that one...


And I thought the yarn might be tough to knit up, but it was not too bad at all. I mean it is exceedingly nubbly so the knitting experience is not without its challenges. BUT it was far better than I'd imagined. I cast on only 10 stitches, used sizable needles (8.0 mm/US 11) and a basic garter stitch so it knit up in a veritable flash!

Alrighty then. You have yourself a lovely day now, and I'll see you on Wednesday!

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23 comments:

  1. KJ@letsgoflyakiteAugust 22, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    Amazing! love the rich colour and texture.

    PS Is the photo on the dashboard from yesterday's sudden storm?

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  2. Maya KuzmanAugust 22, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    Well this is unique and I love it!
    An ingenious way to use scraps (and very practical too) :)

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  3. Vanessa at Rescued GoodsAugust 22, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    LOVE the scarf. So pretty! I really need to learn to knit!

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  4. Nat PalaskasAugust 22, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    This is cool Michele! I knitted scrap natural and kimono silk after I returned from Japan. It was fun - I like your vibrant color - hugs Nat

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  5. emilyAugust 22, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    When I first saw your fabric scrap yarn, I thought it would make a great rug by knitting or crocheting! This scarf is turning out beautifully.

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  6. TexNanAugust 22, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    I didn't read the post where you made the scrap yarn 'til now, but think it's a lovely idea. I bought a hank of silk scrap yarn from Etsy intended for use in tassel-making. Check it out: http://sumpnsassy.blogspot.com/2010/01/tassels-redux.html

    I'm thinking I might do as you did with other scraps of fabric. Great thinking on your part!

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  7. Mrs A.August 22, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Maybe the trick is to wash before knitting. It might be softer to knit with too. I have made rag rugs before but never thought of using to knit a scarf. Hugs Mrs A.

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  8. Christie describeHappyAugust 22, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    That is just too cool!! I bet washing will make it super soft too!

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  9. SaraccinoAugust 22, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    It looks like a lot of fun! I hope the shedding will cease with washing because it looks like something to be worn a lot! :)

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  10. Amy FriendAugust 22, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    You are too much. It looks great!

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  11. Michelle L.August 22, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    This is very very beautiful! Q: is the shedding just bits of threads or fibers, or do the actual scrap pieces come off? if the former, pooh pooh, who minds a little shedding?

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  12. FionaAugust 22, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    Oh wow... doesn't that look great....
    Hugz

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  13. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    Michelle L.: The shedding is bits of fibers yes, so I'm hoping that washing will rectify this problem, fingers-crossed!

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  14. Kathy MartinAugust 22, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    How cool! :)

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  15. Amy at Ameroonie DesignsAugust 23, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    Love it! I've been waiting to see what you'd do with that delicious stuff. :) Hope the shedding is fixed with the washing. It's too fun to not use.
    xoxo,
    Amy

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  16. dutchcomfortAugust 23, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    That’s so pretty Michele! I hope the shedding will be gone after washing!

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  17. CatherineAugust 24, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    Loving this scarf Michele! Been wondering what you would make with this colourful 'yarn'. I imagine after a wash it might just stop 'shedding'. Looking forward to seeing what you make next with this fun yarn :)

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  18. MelissaAugust 24, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    I bet washing it will make it soft and fluffy kind of like the chenilling process.

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  19. DMAugust 24, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    superb ! How lucky you are to manage to knit during travels in car .... I have tried , but had to stop .... and I hate just sitting and not having my hands busy ...

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  20. liniecatAugust 25, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    I have made many miniature rag rugs over the years using a similar technique that I found in a vintage stitching book from around the 30s I think it was.
    They used fabrics cut into long 1" wide lengths and whatever wool they had to hand.
    It was to make bath mats but it seemed a fine idea for knitting a rag rug and for miniaturising with scaled down strips of fabrics. I used finely cut Liberty Lawn, cut on the bias so it didnt fray very much at all. Infact I sent the idea and how to pictures, and they were printed in one of the dolls house mags of the day, afew years back. Wonder if Ive still got a copy, will look!
    Anyway it involved casting on a base line, do a second row in garter stitch...if you used double knit for example for a scarf.........with your fabric yarn in this intance...
    Cast on required number of stitches for width of scarf.
    Then knit a first row across, either in the back of the stitches for a neat firm edge or just regularly for a more loose edge, maybe best for a scarf edging.

    Start rows with a knit stitch or two, then lay the fabric yarn end between that stitch and the next stitch..leaving the tail end at the front
    ( RS).
    Then knit a stitch, bring the fabric yarn back to the front, knit a stitch take it back to the back.....leaving an inch or two looped at the front (RS ).
    Continue this way so loops form at the front....for a flat back..as in a rag rug right?
    But loop both sides if you want a fluffier, thicker scarf effect.
    You can knit more stitches between each looping if you want for a thinner finish to the scarf
    ( or rug).
    You can also stagger where you put the loops to balance the thickness of the fabric yarn, if you follow me?
    You can also knit a row of garter stitches between looping rows, so you are then looping on alternate rows which again makes it a thinner textured end fabric.
    You might like to give this way a try?
    Plus I expect there'd be less stress on the stitched/pieced fabric, so it would less likely shed any pieces?

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  21. tijerasycucharaAugust 26, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Me encantan tus trabajos son preciosos.
    te felicito
    saludos
    Josefina
    tijerasycuchara.wordpress.com

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  22. UnknownJanuary 31, 2012 at 4:20 PM

    Hi Michele...............I've pinned this item on my Pinterest board............love it......please tell me how you prepare the fabric for this scarf!! I'm anxious to "get knitting"!

    With thanks,
    Susan

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJanuary 31, 2012 at 4:22 PM

      Hi Susan,

      If you take a look back at the following post...

      http://www.michelemademe.com/2011/08/fabric-scraps-reinvented.html

      you'll notice that I took all my little quilt scraps and sewed them together one after another with the sewing machine to make the "fabric yarn". I tried to ensure that the width of the fabric in the yarn is close to the same from start to finish. But there is definitely variation.

      Then I knit it into a scarf. The yarn sheds a ton when you're knitting it up by the way. But then I washed it, and from what I've experienced, the scarf pretty much stopped shedding once washed.

      I hope that helps. Best of luck!

      Delete

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