My V-Day project (a day late)

Back in January I was at Michael's and saw some cute Valentine garlands, but they were selling for $20.  They looked simple enough so I attempted my own version with some twine and fat quarters from JoAnn Fabrics.  It was a quick and easy project that has helped perk up my mantel (I get so sad when the Christmas decorations come down).  I also didn't spend anywhere near $20 so it was a win in the finance department as well.  

If you are interested in making something similar, I don't have very precise directions.  I basically ripped the fabric into similar widths and lengths, cut those in half.  Started tying the pieces on my twine--I guestimated the center & tied one there; tied one at each end as well.  Continued tying (double-knotting, actually) at regular intervals, trying to mix up light and dark pink fabrics.  I like the rough edges of the fabric, but it might be a good idea to use a product so they don't unravel (I've also used a candle in the past, but since this is probably not the fire safety method, I am not officially recommending that).

Hope you all had a fabulous V-Day filled with the ones you love!

In which I begin to donate knit items

Sorry for the bad picture quality--I had to take these at night + we have terrible lighting in our house...daytime or not!

I am a bit shamed to admit that I have yet to donate a knit item to charity since I took up the craft.  But, in honor of full disclosure, there's the truth.  Numerous times I have thought about it, planned to do it, but have never followed through.  Well, let 2012 be the year this begins! 

I saw a request for knit scarves for the Vermont Special Olympics through a local craft store called Creative Habitat.  The S.O. was looking for knitters to make solid red or red and white scarves, so I decided to join in.  I got inspired through numerous Ravelry (are you a member?) patterns, but ended up choosing a ruffled scarf.  I found some modifications that I liked through a fellow Ravelry member's project and used those modifications on the pattern.  

I love the way it turned out.  It was a relatively quick knit and it was fun to watch the spirals develop.  The only weird thing was that you knit it length-wise, so you end up with a ton of stitches on your needles at one point.  Thank goodness for circulars!