I’m on a ridiculously tight deadline for an assignment I’m working on for Simplicity, in which I’m designing and knitting 6 projects in one week. While this may sound horrifying to most, to me it’s just the kind of challenge I like. It’s like Knitting Project Runway (in my own special Walter Mitty mind, at least). I’ve been given a list of 1. needle sizes and  2. possible yarns. Other than that, I have carte blanche to create whatever I’d like.

Last night I headed off to Wal-Mart to pick up my supplies. I have to admit, at this point in my imaginary Knitting Project Runway, I’m wasn’t too happy that Wal-Mart was the stand-in for Mood Fabrics. I’ve been to Mood Fabrics and It’s ah-maze-ing. WalMart not so much. That said, when I arrived at Wal-Mart, prepared for the worst, I found a few yarns that I actually really liked. One is Lion Brand’s Hometown USA. It’s a super soft acrylic yarn that’s washable and swatches  nicely. It comes in a broad range of bright colors — perfect for the projects I have in mind. Also, it’s a super bulky weight that calls for a size 13 needle. On my list are size 13 and size 15 straights  … check and check. I’m also using Lion Brand’s Baby’s First for a baby toy I’ll be making. Not on my list was Martha Stewart Crafts Extra Soft Wool Blend — which was a shame because this is a beautiful yarn in Martha Stewarty colors.

Here are the projects I’ve figured out so far:

I’m going to translate these felted mittens into chunky mittens in very bright, girly colors. Next I’ll take a stab at a bulky scarf in a mock cable stitch I just learned. Then using the Baby’s First, I’ll translate this little felted cat toy I designed for Knit & Crochet Now into a Blue’s Clues inspired dog.

Get a free pattern when you spend more than $6 at Pick Up Sticks between now and Jan. 1! Simply enter FREE PATTERN at checkout.

Teach yourself to knit or someone you love with our fingerless glove and scarf pattern:

The neck wrap is created using just the knit stitch, so it's a great project for beginners. A video shows you how to change colors and make the buttons.

The short neck wrap. The scarf pattern doubles the length shown here.

TOOLS
Needles: Size 9 straight and a yarn needle

Yarn: 100% Baby Alpaca in worsted weight. Shown in Pick Up Sticks’ alpaca in Sea Blue, Chocolate and Latte, one ball each.

Gauge: In garter stitch 18 sts x 40 rows = 4 square inches.

Extras: Buttons or 1/2 inch cabone rings that will be wrapped with the Sea Blue yarn.

Finished Dimensions
The short neck wrap is 3″ wide by 22″ long.
The longer scarf is 3″ wide (or 4.5″ if you choose) by 44″ long.

SCARF/WRAP INSTRUCTIONS

Knit First Panel

Using Chocolate, CAST ON 100 sts for the short wrap. Cast on 200 sts for the scarf.

Row 1: KNIT to end.

Rows 2-3:CHANGE yarn color to Sea Blue and knit two rows.

Rows 4-5: Change yarn color to Latte and knit two rows.

Rows 6-7: Change yarn color to Chocolate and knit two rows.

Rows 8-11: Repeat Rows 2-5.

Row 9: Change to Chocolate and knit.

BIND OFF all stitches.

Repeat pattern to make a second panel. If you’d like wider wrap/scarf you can repeat the pattern again to make a third panel.

Blanket-Stitch Wrap the Cabone Rings
Watch the videoto see how I wrap the rings.

Tack the panels together every 5 inches.

Finishing

Lay the panels out, side by side,rightsides facing. Pin the panels to each other in 5 inch increments. Tack the panels to one another at each pinned point.
Stitch the buttons or the wrapped cabone rings to the tacked points to embellish.

The pattern for the companion fingerless gloves, also a beginner project, is available for purchase at http://www.pickupsticksonline.com

This quick and easy knit, then felted scarf is a perfect way to get through the last two months of winter. Find the complete pattern plus photo illustrations on the archives at the DIY network. I designed the scarf for an appearance on Knitty Gritty, when I first introduced the Poinsettia wreath.