old shale scarf
Lately, I have really been trying something new to me. It's a bit strange and daunting and sometimes I think I can't do it but I'm persevering and I believe I'm doing pretty well. Yep, I've been knitting using just the yarn in my stash. I'm not on a diet, I just haven't actively been buying any yarn. I'm getting my fix by the 2 yarn clubs I belong to - the Rockin' Sock Club and Sundara's Seasons Yarn Club. Looking through the stash, I see that I have a lot of beautiful Sundara Yarn that I have been "saving." But I realized I should just go ahead and enjoy knitting with them. Sundara's Seasons Yarn Club introduced a new yarn to her line - the Fingering Silky Merino. This yarn is amazing! Problem is, you only receive 1 skein in the club and I had a hard time figuring out what to knit with it. I finally decided on a scarf so that I can enjoy the warmth and softness next to my face:
This is a simple feather and fan stitch pattern, otherwise known as Old Shale for it's resemblance to waves upon the sand. It's often used as edging for clothing. I'm not sure where I first saw this stitch pattern but it seems like I see it everywhere now:
I used US #6 needles for this fingering weight yarn. I think this pattern would work well with any of the sock yarn that might be laying around in your stash. This lovely color is Autumn Rose:
The yarn came in an amazing amount so I had plenty for this scarf. I finally decided that it was long enough at 80" and I still have about 1/3 of the skein left:
This is a simple and an enjoyable stitch pattern and I have written it up if you'd like to have it. I do not take credit for the stitch pattern. I only take credit for my scarf:
Happy May everyone! I love May. It's my birthday month. It's Mother's day month. It's all about me month. Yippee! So happy May it is!
It's beautiful Tiennie - the colours, the stitch pattern, and of course the photos! I've been procrastinating something chronic over a knitting project I'm working on right now (need to frog three rows of 200+ stitches and it's putting me off) so this may just help get my knitting enthusiasm back... Thanks!
Posted by: Cybèle | May 01, 2008 at 01:31 AM
Beautiful scarf! Thanks for the pattern.
Posted by: Lise | May 01, 2008 at 01:54 AM
It's so pretty! I love the sort of antique-ish colour. Beautiful!
Posted by: Amanda | May 01, 2008 at 02:02 AM
Happy May Day! The scarf is beautiful, the color so evocative of the season.
Posted by: Kirsten | May 01, 2008 at 03:56 AM
I love May too! And thanks for that pattern, the scarf is lovely and I am always on the lookout for non-sock sock yarn patterns!
Posted by: Heather | May 01, 2008 at 04:45 AM
Happy May-happy birth month and such a pretty scarf...thanks for sharing...
Posted by: Theresa | May 01, 2008 at 05:01 AM
There's a similar scarf to that in Scarf Style, which I knit in Jo Sharp's Alpaca Silk DK. It seems roughly equivalent to yours (I used size 6 needles also). It is wonderful to wear, and I'm sure you'll enjoy your scarf, which looks beautiful. The yarn is gorgeous.
Posted by: marjorie | May 01, 2008 at 05:07 AM
Beautiful scarf!
Posted by: Phoe | May 01, 2008 at 05:24 AM
It's so pretty! I have yet to decided what to do with my Autumn Rose. But, the Modern Quilt Wrap needs to be finished first.
That stitch pattern looks similar to the one I used for my SIL's Crest of the Wave scarf, very pretty.
Posted by: Heather | May 01, 2008 at 05:29 AM
It's such a pretty scarf, and that color is lovely. Thanks for sharing the pattern!
Oh, and happy May!
Posted by: kim | May 01, 2008 at 05:49 AM
That looks so pretty. My mom used to always knit fan and feather pattern on little baby girl cardigans. I might use your pattern when I get my Plucky Classic yarn :)
Is your birthday early May or late? It will be a fun month for you what with Mother's Day too. Mother's Day was back in March for my mom in England!
Posted by: Denise | May 01, 2008 at 06:02 AM
It's gorgeous! And thank you for the pattern -- I always love a new scarf!
Posted by: Kathy | May 01, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Happy Birthday Month! That scarf does look so soft and lovely and with a really nice sheen.
Posted by: Sasha | May 01, 2008 at 06:47 AM
wow, beautiful scarf! and 80" long using only 2/3 of the skein?! incredible. what was the yardage of the skein?
Posted by: mai | May 01, 2008 at 06:54 AM
happy everything! beautiful yarn---and a very pretty stitch.
Posted by: kv | May 01, 2008 at 06:56 AM
May is about me as well. My birthday is the 15th -- how 'bout you. Thanks for sharing this great pattern!
Posted by: Jill | May 01, 2008 at 06:57 AM
I think we should also celebrate a "Stash Reduction" month! I love this scarf, perfect for the weather we are having and nice to use up some yarn. Happy almost mothers/b-day.
Posted by: Loveleelara | May 01, 2008 at 07:06 AM
That is so pretty! I like the scarf, the color and the stitch pattern. Very nice! Happy birthday month (I see that you didn't specify your birthday day in Ravelry...)!
Posted by: domesticshorthair | May 01, 2008 at 07:36 AM
Very very pretty! I tend to hoard yarn that I deem too nice to knit with too. I've tried to stop doing that but it's hard.
Posted by: monica | May 01, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Happy May to you, too! :0) Love the scarf, thanks so much for the pdf!
Posted by: Charity | May 01, 2008 at 08:04 AM
What a beautiful scarf. The pattern is so classic, how can you go wrong with that. Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy Knitting!!!
Posted by: Marylu | May 01, 2008 at 08:25 AM
that's a great looking scarf. thanks for the pattern. one question, what "season" is that color from? i just joined her season club (well 2 seasons) starting in june and am curious what kind of colors i'll be missing from not getting all 4.
Posted by: maryse | May 01, 2008 at 08:36 AM
What a beautiful scarf! The color is perfect and seems to glisten. Lovely!
Posted by: Alicia P | May 01, 2008 at 08:37 AM
It's beautiful! I love the color too - makes me think of tulips and peonies... MMmmmmm. Happy May, happy birthday, happy mother's day, and happy spring! :D
Posted by: Ella | May 01, 2008 at 09:02 AM
It's a very pretty scarf...I've been a little obsessed with the idea of light scarves lately and yours is perfect! Happy May!
Posted by: sue | May 01, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Hooray for May birthdays! Mine is in May as well, and - probably partly as a result - I absolutely adore the month!
Posted by: Nicole | May 01, 2008 at 09:21 AM
Happy Month of May. I am the same way about the month of July. Happy Birthday and Mother's Day. May the month of May (and the whole year for that matter) be filled with love and all things Yarny.
The scarf is Beautiful. And I have to commend you on knitting out of your stash. Maybe I will try that haha we'll see.
Posted by: Heather | May 01, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Just lovely. This color is just perfect as a scarf and the pattern has a nice texture feel. Stash is simply supplies for your hobby. I know I'll use everything in my stash eventually. If I don't like it well enough to someday knit I give it away.
Posted by: MrPuffy | May 01, 2008 at 09:55 AM
May is all about me too! I love May, and I love the scarf, it's really beautiful knit up in the silky merino.
Posted by: nova | May 01, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Oh, hooray for that scarf! It looks totally terrific.
(And spurs me on to finish my Cleopatra Wrap out of the silk lace we got, so that I can move on to the silky aran and fingering stuff!)
Posted by: Amy | May 01, 2008 at 10:02 AM
I'm a May birthday Mama, too. I hope you get a lot of loot!
Fan and feather is another one of my comfort knitting stitches. It has a really relaxing rhythmn.
Posted by: alex | May 01, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Gorgeous, and great length, too! Thanks for offering the pdf for it. Good job working from the stash... wish I could manage the same. :-)
Posted by: Stacee | May 01, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I love that scarf! I just raveled it to my cue, because I really would like to make one from some gorgeous sockyarn I have in my stash! Thank you so much!
Posted by: Silja | May 01, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Love the color!! Happy Birthday month to you! It's my birtday month too! What day does yours fall on?
Posted by: yaiAnn | May 01, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Happy May Day! I love that scarf, esp the drape. Gorgeous!
Posted by: mary | May 01, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Woo Hoo! You know I love May too! My birthday month as well! My Hubby's B Day too! SAT Month! Yeah for May! LOVE your scarf. I just snagged some FSM in Sundara's last update! Woo Hoo!
Posted by: Diana | May 01, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Happy May! That's a pretty yarn you used for the scarf - great color and it looks really soft and silky.
Posted by: robin | May 01, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I always enjoy visiting and seeing what just came off the needles! Your new scarf is lovely! I joined Sundara's club this year too...it's a first for me to join one :-)
Posted by: Kim | May 01, 2008 at 12:10 PM
The scarf is beautiful. I love it in the solid color, and what a beautiful color that is!
Posted by: LizKnits | May 01, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Oh Yea! May is my birthday month too! How awesome is May?!
You scarf knitted up beautifully. Use that yarn girl! That's why you bought it right?
Posted by: Jenny Girl | May 01, 2008 at 12:31 PM
You'll have to share May because it's MY month too:) The scarf is gorgeous - thank you for writing it all down! I find myself saving those coveted yarns too - what am I even saving it for?:)
Posted by: Stacey | May 01, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Happy YOU month! I love this time of year too! I just had my birthday a couple of days ago and Mothers Day is fast approaching.
Lovely scarf. I'm trying to add a little simple lace knitting to my skills... that just might do the trick!
Posted by: Jess | May 01, 2008 at 02:23 PM
GORGEOUS Tiennie!!
Posted by: adrienne | May 01, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Wow!! Thank you for the pattern, your scarf is beautiful :)
I hope you have a lovely May :)
Posted by: gilraen | May 01, 2008 at 02:48 PM
you surely know how knit something simple into something so fabulous! Happy May month!
Posted by: Lucy | May 01, 2008 at 03:58 PM
That is lovely, thank you for sharing the patten! It's too late for me to knit that up for Mother's Day, but I think it'd be excellent for a future present for my mother and I believe I already have a perfect yarn.
Posted by: Kath | May 01, 2008 at 04:00 PM
The scarf is absolutely gorgeous. I am definitely going to be downloading the pattern!
Posted by: bea | May 01, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Thanks for the pattern! That is just the most lovely yarn.
Posted by: Lorette | May 01, 2008 at 05:36 PM
The scarf is beautiful. Happy Birthday for this month. We have 2 birthdays too, one tomorrow for my SIL and the last day of May for my MIL. Perhaps you can spoil yourself with some knitterly things for your birthday!
Posted by: sue | May 01, 2008 at 05:52 PM
The scarf is gorgeous & you are so clever in displaying it (around the column). Thanks for the pattern - it's so well written.
Posted by: Ann | May 01, 2008 at 07:18 PM