039 - "Improved" Feather and Fan Knit Dishcloth

Inspiration

When I knit the first cloth, I followed the directions, then decided I wanted to "improve" them to work better for me.

Details

This version of the Feather and Fan Dishcloth pattern makes a smaller cloth–this one measures 14 inches square–with edges on the bottom and top, similar to the one on the sides and eliminates the odd stripe in the center, which only seemed to be there as an artifact of how the pattern was written.

Pattern

Materials Required

Worsted Weight Cotton - 1 ball of Lily Sugar 'n Cream
Knitting Needles - US size 8 (5.00 mm)

Knitting the Dishcloth

Cast on 45 stitches loosely (I used a larger needle).

Create Edge

Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Knit.

Begin Feather and Fan Pattern 

Row 1: K2. *YO. K4. (K2Tog) twice. K4. YO. K1. Repeat from * twice more. K1
Row 2: K2. Purl to last 2 stitches. K2.
Row 3: Knit.
Rows 4-6: Repeat Rows 1-3.

Repeat Feather and Fan Pattern, rows 1-6,  eight more times, then rows 1-3 once more.
Repeat two Edge rows, then bind off loosely knitwise.

037 - Feather and Fan Knit Dishcloth

Inspiration

The pattern  for this project was one that was returned for my feather search on Ravelry.  I've always looked at knit dishcloths made by others and thought it was a good idea.  The Daily Feather gave me a reason to finally knit one of my own.

Details

I fell asleep last night while I was knitting yesterday's daily feather and so it is still not quite finished. I'll update this post with another photo when I finish.

The cotton dishcloth will measure approximately 15 inches square. It is knit from Lily's Sugar `n Cream from a free pattern on their site. (Visitors will need to create an account to access it).

The pattern is a traditional knit pattern called Feather and Fan.

I like the nubby texture and how the pattern is reversible.  But I don't like the narrow panel down the center and think I'd find something a little smaller more useful–no size or gauge was provided with the pattern–and so I will likely knit an improved for me version in the future.  I will probably an edging at the bottom and top, similar to that on the sides, too.

Update

Here's the completed project, ready to be put to work in the kitchen.

012 - The Eagle Feathers (Knit) Scarf

(Can you see the feather lace pattern?)

Inspiration

I knew I wanted to try knitting a "feather" lace pattern.  Until I was blocking the finished knit today, I didn't realize how the variations in color worked against the lace pattern and worked to camouflage the pattern.  Camouflage is today's suggestion in the book. 

Details

I found The Eagle Feathers Scarf on Ravelry–link takes you to the directions. It is approximately 8 inches wide and 8 feet long, knit from Caron Simply Soft, an inexpensive acrylic yarn that I probably wouldn't use again ...  Here's the entire scarf, being blocked on the floor.  I'll add better photos when it's dry. 

Update

Here are photos taken after the scarf was blocked.

    

006 - Knitted Feather

 Inspiration

The suggestion from the book for Day 6 is:

Look in the kitchen and work with the first fruit or vegetable you spot.  It coul dbe in the form of juice, jam, or even canned.

For some reason, fruit or vegetable registered as food and I immediately thought of my first-thing in the morning, coffee, and immediately knew I wanted to try some latté art to produce something like the image on the left ... unfortunately I failed miserably (my effort on the right.) Perhaps with more research and daily practice, I can perfect the feathery rosette.

    

Another daily suggestion that had grabbed my eye when I flipped through the book before beginning this adventure was Day 40:

What can you do with yarn? You don't have to know how to knit or crochet; you can try yarn painting or just experiment.  

Since I do know how to knit, last night I knitted the feather shown with my failed latté art and again, below.

Details

When I did a search for feather on Ravelry, I imagined I would find projects using feather stitches in lace patterns like the Feather and Fan.  But what popped to the top of the search results was Heather Buelow's knitted Feather pattern.

Honestly, how could I resist?   This one measures 2 1/2 by 9 1/2 inches and is knitted from worsted weight cotton yarns from my stash.

Any suggestions on what one does with a knitted feather like this would be appreciated.  Made in a thinner yarn, I think it could be curled around a wrist for a fiber-y, feather-y cuff.  Made wider, it could become a long coaster (for a pair of drinks?) Stuffed with cat-nip, the cats would love it ... and likely destroy it in minutes.