Yes, I’m still here. I’ve been busy knitting and sewing holiday gifts. Lots of projects done, a few more to finish. The drops scarf for my boss is finally finished!
Pattern: 108-4 a – scarf by Drops
Yarn: Wool and the Gang Sugar Baby Alpaca (100% baby alpaca)
Needles: size 4 US
Size: approx 7.5” wide and 61.5” long
Modifications:
My yarn is heavier than the suggested yarn in the pattern, so I cast on fewer sts (55 sts). I then worked 3 garter sts at each edge instead of 5. After working the first row, I had a total of 43 sts (3 garter, 37 chart, 3 garter). I worked chart M.1A once, M.1B once (not twice), and M.1C once. After I finished the M.1 charts, I realized I didn’t have the correct stitch count for chart M.2 since I started the scarf with fewer sts. I poured over my stitch dictionaries and decided to use the Palm Leaf Chevron stitch from Barbara Walker’s A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, p. 277. It worked well, I think.
This scarf grew immensely during blocking. I didn’t take a formal measure before blocking, but I would wager a guess that it grew at least 15″ in length.
Another item I made recently actually contained the drops scarf while it was in progress. I sewed a small project bag with this totally cute fabric I bought from Loom.
The fabric is from the Child’s Play with Kate & Nate collection by Sheri Berry Designs. The outer Girl fabric came in a panel containing alphabet blocks. The inner fabric (from the same collection) is called Ditzy Mushrooms. It has an allover pattern of little mushrooms and dragonflies. Love this fabric! I just had to get the “Y is for yarn” on one side, obviously. 
And one last thing. If anyone knows where I can get more of this fabric in orange, I will be eternally grateful:
It’s by designer Joel Dewberry from his discontinued Aviary collection. It’s the Woodgrain orange. I can’t seem to find this fabric in orange anywhere for sale online. *sniff, sniff* Hopefully Loom still has some in stock. I’ve used it in a few projects and have determined it is the best fabric ever. I even dreamed about it 2 nights ago. Seriously, I’m obsessed.
Susan, We just finished reading the Peppercorn Show as a family, doing a funny Mad Libs version. Merry Christmas to your family. :: Lotsa Love from Lisa and I.
The modified Drops scarf looks great! Someone’s obviously been very good this year, LOL! I have been meaning to make up some organizational helpers, from some upholstery fabric samples I found. The stuff’s pretty sturdy, so I was thinking of making a roll up holder for the DPNs, and another for the circulars. But your project bag is a lovely idea too.
Thanks! I used the tutorial from Pink Penguin’s Reversible Patchwork Bag as a guide for sewing, etc, but didn’t do the patchwork part.
http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2008/09/tutorial-reversible-patchwork-bag.html I’ve used this bag a lot lately.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62942631/joel-dewberrys-woodgrain-in-orange-very
Thanks for the link. I should have been looking on etsy! Though it’s a bit more expensive per yard than I can afford….