Simple Loop-It Scarf

September 30, 2018

I suppose this post isn’t technically a pattern. More accurately, it is a yarn review and a very loose tutorial (number of stitches, widths, and lengths) for how I created my Simple Loop-It Scarf.

While at my local Michaels, I recently came upon a new yarn that is quickly becoming the fad of the season. Perhaps you’ve seen it – the yarn that comes with pre-created loops that allow you to stitch up a project with no tools other than your fingers. I was able to find Red Heart’s version of this yarn. (You may have seen similar versions from Lion Brand or Yarnspirations or some other large yarn brand.)

Well, I was excited to get my hands on it and, after some time squishing this cloud of a skein, I experimented with how it works up. I watched Marly Bird’s videos on Red Heart’s website (http://www.redheart.com/loop-it) and decided to give the Knit Stitch a try.

This skein contains 7.6 yards, which equates to 270 inches. Taking this into account, I did some swatching. After making some notes and crunching some numbers, I determined that working 6 stitch rows would give me the size scarf I was aiming for. After using one entire skein, I had a scarf that was a little wider than 4 inches and a little longer than 60 inches. Since I came across some ends within my skein, I was able to experiment with the joining method laid out in one of Marly’s videos. While you lose a few inches of yarn, it is very simple and fairly seamless in appearance. That bodes well for working up larger, multi-skein projects.

You may notice that your work curls a bit as mine did. Not to worry, the resulting tube shaped scarf was still plush and large enough for my purposes.

If you are looking for a scarf that is wider or longer, here are my rough calculations (for one skein) based on my swatches…

7 stitch rows will work up a scarf approximately 5 inches wide and 40 inches long
5 stitch rows will work up a scarf approximately 3.75 inches wide and 80 inches long

Although my biggest piece of advice to you would be – play around with it. It is as simple and quick as advertised, and I imagine it is very kid-friendly for those youngsters in your life that may be eager to start stitching alongside you in your yarn adventures!

Disclaimer: I was in no way compensated for this post by Michaels or Red Heart. All information, thoughts, and opinions expressed are my own.

Yarnfully Yours,

Happy Pencils

September 1, 2018

Back to school season is here again! Last summer I created my first day student gifts and enjoyed giving them each a Happy Crayon key chain at the end of the day. I decided to play around with last year’s design, tweaked a few things along the way, and am so pleased with this year’s resulting first day student gift…

I still had some keychain rings left over from last summer’s order, and since this Happy Pencil is similar in size to my Happy Crayons, they will make a wonderful addition to the project!

My pack of pencils is steadily growing as I hook up these friendly little squishies, and I look forward to getting them in the hands of my students!

You can add this pattern to your Ravelry queue here or Pin It for later here.

Finished size: approximately 5” x 1”

My Materials:

worsted weight yarn in the following colors (Red Heart Super Saver used in the sample):
- Charcoal (Color A)
- Aran (Color B)
- Bright Yellow (Color C)
- Flamingo (Color D)
black worsted weight yarn
8 mm safety eyes
fiber fill
Hook F (3.75 mm)
tapestry needle
swivel lobster key chain

Abbreviations:

BLO – back loop only
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
dec – (decrease) single crochet the next 2 stitches together
inc – (increase) work 2 single crochets into the next stitch
* – work directions between the 2 * on repeat, as stated for that round

Notes:

To end each round, join with a slip stitch to that round’s first stitch.
Do not count the join or the beginning chain as a stitch.
When completing the first stitch in each round, place the stitch in the same place as your slip stitch join.
Stuff as you go.

The Pattern:

Begin with Color A

Round 1: in magic ring, ch 1, sc 4, join in first stitch using sl st (4 sc)

Round 2: ch 1, sc around, join (4 sc)

Round 3: ch 1, inc, sc, inc, sc, join (6 sc)

Change to Color B

Round 4: ch 1, *inc, sc, sc* around, join (8 sc)

Round 5: ch 1, *inc, sc, sc, sc* around, join (10 sc)

Round 6: ch 1, *sc, sc, inc, sc, sc* around, join (12 sc)

Round 7: ch 1, *inc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc* around, join (14 sc)

Change to Color C

Round 8: ch 1, sc around, join (14 sc)

Rounds 9-20: ch 1, sc around, join (14 sc)

Insert safety eyes between rows 17 and 18, leaving 3 stitches between the eyes. Sew on mouth using black yarn or embroidery floss.

Change to Color A

Round 21-22: ch 1, sc around, join (14 sc)

Change to Color D

Rounds 23-25: ch 1, sc around, join (14 sc)

Round 26: BLO ch 1, *dec, sc*4 times, dec, join (9 sc)

Finish off, close stitches, and sew in any ends.

Yarnfully Yours,

If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in…

Happy Crayons, which can be found here.

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