Cecelia's Scrap Pattern as made by Annette (The Big Sister)

This is my sister Annette, she is modelling a scrap or maybe it is a wrarf (as it is a combo scarf / wrap) that she created for our friend Cecelia.  Cecelia is one of the knit and natter ladies  who is originally from Columbia and has the most amazing sense of style... together with her own craft room that her husband thinks is his office.  Recently after a trip to Spain, she bought back a lovely scarf which tied up round her neck.  Annette really liked it and decided to use it as a starting point for her design, the original had a ruffle which was knitted separately and sewn on and although pretty enough could stand a little improvement.  Annette is really good at finding unusual wool to work with and King Cole Galaxy was just the ticket as it is interspersed with delicate little sequins which catch and dance in the light.

Will readers please note, my sister does not have any lines on her face, I spent hours painting them in on PhotoShop, so that you would all know she is my older sister!

The scarf has an integrated ruffle, and cables encasing a double moss / seed stitch which gives it a gorgeous texture. To top it all off is a rather lovely flower to use as a button and you have the option of knitting it or crocheting it.  Now all you need to do is get your yarn and needles ready and you are ready for the off!

Cecilia’s Scarf

100 gr double knitting yarn - King Cole Galaxy Double Knit

Size 2.75 needles, 1 cable needle

Size 3.50 crochet hook

  

Knitting Abbreviations:

K = knit

P = purl

RS = right side

WS = wrong side

C4F = place next 2 stitches on cable needle, hold to the front of the work.  Knit the next 2 stitches, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.

C4B = place the next 2 stitches on a cable needle, hold to the back of the work.  Knit the next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle. 

Note:

An additional 5 rows are knitted on the first 6 stitches of each row.  This results in the ruffle effect.  After the first row the first 6 stitches on each row are knitted as follows: knit 6, turn x 5 times.  In the pattern this will be shown as K6T.

                                                                

Using size 2.75 needles, cast on 42 stitches.

Row 1 K6 P2 K4 P2 K1, P1 7 times P2 K4 P2 K6.  In future the first row will be knitted as follows:

Row 1 KT6 P2 K4 P2 K1, P1 7 times P2 K4 P2 K6

Row 2 KT6 K2 P4 K2 K1 P1 7 times K2 P4 K2 K6

Row 3 KT6 P2 C4F P2 P1 K1 7 times P2 C4B P2 K6

Row 4 KT6 K2 P4 K2 P1 K1 7 times K2 P4 K2 K6

These 4 rows form the pattern, repeat until work measures 46 cm ending with Row 4

Next row: K6T P2 K4 P2 Cast off 16 stitches P1 K4 P2 K6

Next row K6T K2 P4 K2 Cast on 16 stitches K2 P4 K2 K6 (this forms the hole for the flower to poke through.

Continue in pattern for a further 10cm, ending with Row 4.

Cast off

Flower

Knitted Flower

Abbreviations

K  knit; p purl; st stitch

Cast on 10 sts.

First row: K1, p5 k4

2^nd row: K8, k twice into the next stitch k1 – 11 stitches

3^rd  row: K1, p6 k4

 4^th row: Knit

5^th row: K1, p2 together, p4, k4

6^th row: Knit

7^th row: Cast off 6 sts , k to end 4 sts

8^th row:  K4, turn and cast on 6 sts (10 sts)

Repeat last 8 rows 15 times more, then work 1^st to 7^th rows again.

Cast off

Roll straight edge to form flower allowing for petals to roll back and secure rolled edge in position.

Sew to scarf approximately 15cm from cast-on edge.  

Crochet Flower

Crochet Abbreviations (NB These are English terms for the US, a DC becomes and SC, a Tr becomes a DC and so on)

Ch, chain; dc, double crochet, chsp, chain space; slst, slip stitch, tr, treble

Make 26 ch.

Row 1: 1dc in 2^nd ch from hook (counts as 1dc) [1dc in next ch] to end, turn – 25dc.

Row 2:  4ch, miss first 2dc, 1dc in next dc [3ch, miss 1dc, 1dc in next dc] to end, turn.

Row 3:  4ch, work 1dc, 3ch and  1dc in first chsp, [3ch work 1dc, 3ch and 1 dc in next chsp] to end , 3 ch 1dc in 1^st of 4ch, turn.

Row 4:  4ch, 1dc in first chsp, [3ch, 1dc in next chsp] to end, 3ch, 1dc in 1^st of 4ch, turn

Row 5:  As Row 3

Row 6:  5ch, 1dc in first chsp, [4ch, 1dc in next chsp] to end, 4ch, 1tr in 1^st of 4ch, turn

Row 7:  Slst into 1^st chsp, 4dc in first chsp¸slst in next dc, [4dc in next chsp, slst in next dc] to last chsp, slst in 1^st of 4ch.

Fasten off.

Roll chain edge to form flower, bringing outer ends to centre and secure in position.

Sew to scarf approximately 15cm from cast-on edge.       

I think that she has done a great job with this pattern and I have been asking her for permission to publish for a few months... but I think you will agree with me, it has been well worth waiting for.

And finally, if you ever see my sister looking at you like this... run, run as fast as you can and don't look back!

Now, I know what this look means... and it isn't going to end happily...

And for no better reason than it is still Christmas, I just had to finish with this... enjoy!

Post Christmas Update

Well I hope you are all basking in the afterglow of Christmas and wondering why you got so worried, and trying to work out where you will put those Christmas presents.  So firstly, here is a little something I am rather proud of... it's wreath, a Christmas wreath currently hanging on my front door.

And do you know why I am so proud of it, it is made by one of the ladies who took a class with me last year.  Isn't it great when you are able to pass your skills on?

Then there is my tree, you may remember that last year, I spent much of the time on suicide watch with my suicidal tree which spent about eight of the twelve days of Christmas trying to leap out of its bucket.  So this year I managed to buy the reject tree from Trafalgar Square... I think that it only lost out by an inch or two... and I have no need for curtains as it fills the whole of the bay window!  In fact, I had to take this pic standing on the coffee table and I still couldn't get it all in...

And what was even better is that most of the decs this year were made by me..

Now this is rather special and I wanted to share it with you before Christmas, it's a commission I had made for my sister by Sally.  I wanted a picture that would capture her interests and Sally had a twinkle in her eye and knew precisely what would work for Annette.

She got it s right, even down to the pink wool :)

And talking of Annette, I have a real treat for you on Sunday... a pattern from my big sister, inspired by her friend Cecelia (of whom more later) and here is a little preview of what we will be making.

I do hope that you like it, cos I think that the model feature here made rather a good job of it!

Where have you been?

Right, I owe you all an apology... I know I have not been here and this is part of the reason:

Can you spot me... I thought I blended in rather well!

With my mate, Sally, we ran a rather great Christmas stall, even if I say so myself!  Cakes, Decs, Wreaths and gifts... we covered every Christmas base!

And tonight I was watching a super documentary with the Unthanks on BBC4, having walked back home from visiting my friend Deborah and her magical Christmas grotto... little does she know that her snow is actually quilting batting and I have my eye on it... if I can remove the glitter!  Part of the walk back is past St Clement's church in Leigh-on-sea where they were holding a Carol service which so took me back... way back.

I went back to Mrs Pickering's class in 1963, where the auditions were held for the Nativity... where I played... second shepherd, yes I started with ambitions for the Virgin Mary... I mean I had the hair, albeit tied up in plaits but no, it was not to be.  However I quickly realised the louder you said it, then you were in!  Does anyone remember how the sound barrier was actually broken in 1963 by a five year old screeching at the Heavenly Host,"Where have they laid the baby wrapped in swaaaaaaaaadling clothes?"  Concorde, pah!

And then there was the action carol... The Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School version of the Rocking Carol...close your eyes and join me... grab your elbows and sing, whilst violently rocking the poor child from side to side... and I swear this group have something approaching our chutzpah

Substitute the puddings for dressing gowns and the caps for towel... and it could be us...

Scroll on a couple of years, The Virginian was a big programme every Friday night, the John Wayne film was the highlight of the Christmas season and then Mr Cracknell found it... The Cowboy Carol.  What you mean you did not know about the cowboys coming to the Nativity, harrumph... where were you?  We had Mrs Read on the piano, who swore she had eyes in the back on her head, but I did not realise until many years later that the highly polished upright she played might just have given her an unfair advantage...

So for all of you, who walk past a Sally Army band and are taken back to your six year old self, still believing in Santa Claus (who you will remember went to school with my mother because they both had the same handwriting), sit back and sing your heart out to a carol you will have sung with gusto, with a tinsel halo or your mum's best tea towel secured with a dressing gown.

And finally, I just want to ask you all to spare a thought or a prayer for the residents of Newport, Connecticut... I remember so well my mother collecting me from school on the afternoon of the Aberfan disaster, the rain pouring down and she would not let go of my hand all the way home.  Please remember not just the children but the bravery of their teachers,  teacher shape each and every one of us....