Projects
Woo-ee, That Was Fun!
My favorite overall category of knitting is: easy knitting.
Challenging knitting has its time and place and builds character, but I love potato chip knitting: easy enough to keep me company everywhere I go, with a twist to keep my interest and make me want to make another one.
After years of craving this sort of knitting, I hope it’s not braggadocious to say that I know it when I see it.
Last spring, at the H + H Americas trade show, in the madding crowd of the “cash and carry” event that kicks off the show, I locked eyes with Tina Whitmore, the legendary hand dyer behind Freia Fibers. Tina was in the thick of it in her stall, slinging kits in tempting new designs to showcase her incredible yarns.
What is that? I squeaked, pointing at a triangular kerchief draped on a dressmaker’s model . . . I need that!
Friends, it was the Libra Scarf. Ka-ching! Mama MDK (Ann) immediately authorized the purchase, if only to prevent me from pitching some kind of Roald Dahlesque scene on the trade show floor. The rest of the cash and carry is a blur, because all I wanted to do was get back to my room and cast on my Libra Scarf.
Which I did. And it was just as fun as I thought it would be. I finished my first Libra Scarf, pictured here, by the time I got home two days later.
Q & A with a Potato Chip Knitter
Here’s an interview I did with myself.
Q: Why is the Libra Scarf so fun?
Me: I mean I think this should be obvious to the casual viewer, but the Libra Scarf is log cabin knitting, with a twist. That combination makes it really fun to knit.
Q: What is the twist?
Me: Again, I think if you will look at the Libra Scarf you will see that it is a kerchief in the shape of a triangle. Log cabin knitting typically is worked in a square or rectangle shape. Working it in a triangle shape was of immediate and urgent interest to me, because I thought it would be fun.
Q: Was it in fact fun?
Me: Yes! Why are you like this?
Q: What made it fun?
Me: To make the triangle shape, you start by knitting a small garter stitch triangle. Then you begin adding log cabin strips to the sides of the triangle. You add a strip on one side, then you leave the stitches of that strip resting on the needle, go to the other side, and knit a strip on that side. You go back and forth from side to side, kind of like an old-fashioned scale, which is why Tina named it the Libra Scarf, meaning scale or balance. Each log cabin strip is one minikin’s worth of knitting. You don’t count rows or ridges, you don’t increase or decrease; you just switch to the other side of the triangle when it’s time to start a new minikin, pick up a few edge stitches, and start a strip there.
Q: OK, so that sounds like fun. Is there anything else that makes it fun?
Me: I’m so glad you asked! In addition to the log cabin fun you are having, you are also working i-cord on the edges as you go. You are going to ask me why this is fun so I am going to jump ahead and tell you that I hold this truth to be self-evident: working i-cord as you go is always fun. It’s so satisfying to see that lovely neat edge forming as you go.
My enthusiasm for the Libra Scarf led quite naturally to its inclusion in this year’s Holiday Shop.
Introducing:
In two colorways:
Vintage!
And Kelp, which has sold out.
In addition to being fun, the Libra Scarf is that rare prize in knitting: the quick knitted gift that truly is quick.
And as a gift for a knitter who loves color but doesn’t want to take much time away from other projects (perhaps this knitter is you), the Libra Scarf Bundle, ready to knit, is just the thing. I don’t think anyone can resist making a Libra Scarf, so there is no need to worry that it will get lost in the stash—the scarf will be around your neck long before that could happen.
If you crave a bit of potato chip knitting, the Libra Scarf is the saltiest, crunchiest knitting I can think of.
The scarf is lovely. I adore all things Log Cabin style. I have a beautiful Log Cabin quilt that I made years ago. I will be purchasing this project for that same reason. Happy Holidays to you and all the MDK staff!
Oh, Kay, you did it again! I do not need another pattern ….. but I bought it anyway. Now to go thru my fingering weight yarn. I can’t afford Freia right now but I’m sure I have suitable yarn on hand. I also don’t need another project, oh well, it’ll be my Christmas present to myself. Have a lovely Hannukah …..
Darn you, Kay Gardiner. Of course I ordered this bundle!
Once in a while I reel in a BIG FISH Wendy! You are going to love it.
Gah! You got me…just ordered after looking at it a gazillion times since the Lookbook came out. And I am a Libra…and love green/blue. Will potato chip knit it down and back to VKL in January.
I also fell in love with this bundle of fun! I can see making many variations of it in the future. I’m itching to rip open my kit, but I have to finish the gift knitting first. Sigh….
This looks like a delicious potato chip. You seem to be sold out of kelp already, though. (It’s grayed out in the drop down menu.) Will you be getting more?
Me: I ordered this and plan to cast on in January!
Also me: Lucky you!
Me: I know! Can hardly wait!
Merry Christmas to me from me ! What a fun gift !
I have a set of minikins purchased from you years ago just waiting in my collection for this project. Is the pattern available separately?
You can find it over on Ravelry. Just type in Libra. There are a bunch of things called that, but you’ll see it.
Yes it is! Libra Scarf by Tina Whitmore: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/libra-9
Thank you both. I tried that, but for some reason it didn’t come up. It is going to be the first thing I cast on after I finish my gift knitting.
Oh so tempting! The colors are beautiful. I love all Freia Fibers yarn. <3
Aww – love you! You’ve described this so much better than I ever could.. and you nailed it!
Also in true potato chip fashion – I’ve made four of these … and counting!
That was a wonderful interview by both parties.
The smooth finish of an i-cord edge is a reminder that things can be tidy and contained. I feel like an absolute wizard when I see it coming off the needles.
Even more satisfying when nothing else in life is tidy or contained!
If you know you know!
I have a book of patterns that labels each as suitable for recliner and TV knitting, rocking chair or dining room table.
That works for me as a classification system! “Can I knit this scrunched into the corner of the headboard with a dog laying on me?” is essential information.
Oooh, you might also like the Lokken Kerchief by Megi Burcl (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lokken-kerchief).
I am so happy to be reminded of this banger of a pattern, Vicki! Think of how cool it would look in Freia….or color blocks of solids.
I really like the Kelp colorway, but it’s sold out. Do you know when it will be available?
I have the bundle waiting to be knit! Thanks for the reminder. This is a perfect binge watch project.
Please, do tell us about that peacock colored sweater that is UNDER the scarf!!!! thank you!
It’s Norah Gaughan’s Liberty Tree Pullover from Field Guide No. 9: Revolution: https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/shop/modern-daily-knitting-field-guide-no-9-revolution/.
The yarn is MDK Atlas in Mallard. https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/shop/atlas/
I also want to know about the sweater under the Libra
100% agreed! I am knitting my version right now, racing my yarn through the i-cord bind-off, and it’s the perfect antidote to end-of-semester grading and holiday chaos. Soooo tempted to make another one…
This looks lovely! And fun! Is there any chance you will be getting more of the Kelp color?
We never say “never,” but there is not a Kelp restock on the immediate horizon.
I have knit blankets and rugs in the log cabin style. I buy extra cords and stoppers for the interchangeable needles to house the stiches. No bind-off and pick up is only a few stiches as I move to the next side. I cord edging is easy. Bliss. But I do need to learn about the I cord as you go!!
Does this potato chip knitting come in BBQ or Sour Cream and Onion?
This is a fun scarf! I have a number of Freia skeins in my stash. I’ll have to pull them out and see if I can make mini skeins myself.
Simple knitting? I’m there!! I’ve done my share of cables and large afghans with lace insets, etc. Give me some calm, straightforward garter stitch and gorgeous colors and I’ll be happy as a bird with a French fry.
Please restock the kelp colorway!!! If it’s sold out already, it means most of us want it. Right?
I really really really want to knit that in the Kelp colorway! Please restock!