Easy Double Rib Scarf with Scalloped Border

I get cold very easily, but I hate being the only one bundled up against the weather. I love this scarf because even though it looks thin and light, it's actually quite cozy. The Caron yarn gives the scarf a nice, bouncy elasticity, which pulls the double rib together. Since the scarf is double-stranded as well, you essentially have a scarf that is four layers deep.

I decided to use a combination of Caron Simply Soft in black and "painted" (their line of multicolored) because I wanted to mute the pastel tones a bit. The disadvantage of using one of the "painted" skeins is that it becomes difficult to see the double rib on the scarf in person, and impossible in photographs. The black scalloped border at each end gives the scarf a finished look, and provides a touch of elegance and sophistication.


Supplies:
Loom: I used the Pink Knifty Knitter Long Loom, but any double-sided regular gauge loom will work.
Yarn: I used Caron Simply Soft. A 60" scarf uses about a half skein of a solid color (I used black) and 2/3 a skein of Simply Soft Painted (I used Rose Garden)

Prerequisites:
Skill level: Beginner
Stitches: Box stitch (a.k.a. "double rib), Figure 8 stitch
Gauge: Not important
Measurements: Approx. 60" long and 4" wide

Instructions

1. Using two strands of Color A (I used black) held together, and cast on with the Figure 8 cast on for the desired width.
2. Still using two strands of Color A held as 1, knit 3 rows of Figure 8 stitch. 
3. Cut ONE strand of Color A; add ONE strand of Color B (I used Rose Garden)
4. Holding the two strands (one of each color) as one, knit in box stitch until the scarf reaches the desired length.
5. Cut the strand of Color B; add ONE strand of Color A
6. Using two strands of Color A as one, knit 4 rows of Figure 8 stitch.
7. Bind off using a double crochet bind off; do NOT bind off at the other end
8. Weave in loose ends and you're done!

Tip: Wrap the board more tightly to give the scarf an elastic feel and to keep the scarf from becoming lacy.

Bennie Bear Bride and Groom

One of my best friends recently got married, and she loves stuffed animals and handmade gifts. So as part of her gift, I made her 2 "Bennie Bears" (from the pattern that came with my AKB Tadpole) in her wedding colors (bright red and rust). I then decorated them as a bride and groom.

Both have tiny heart charms sewn inside their bodies. The "groom" has a black "bow tie" with a letter D - the first letter of the real groom's name - charm suspended from it. The "bride" has her initial suspended from a narrow white ribbon necklace.

The real trick was creating the bride's veil. I ended up using some Paton's Grace and knitted a tube of about 2 inches on a Knifty Knitter sock loom. I then switched to knitting a flat panel (all in e-wrap stitch, one over one) for another 2 inches. If you look very closely at the veil in the picture to the right, you can see where the switch happens - right around the bottom of her arms, where the veil broadens out into a trumpet shape. I used a triple crochet bind off, which gave me a lovely scalloped edge.

I wove about 6 inches of the same type of ribbon as I used for the "necklace" just below the top edge of the tube end of the veil. I pulled it closed and left the ribbon ends dangling as decoration. I then used a cheap hoop earring with a rhinestone to  decorate the gather, and sewed the veil on with a hidden bit of yarn.

Needless to say, the gift was a huge hit!