It's never too soon to start making scarves for when it turns frigid

Yes, I went through a punk rock phase, it really does go hand in hand with my love of plaid. There are a whole bunch of really unique scarf making styles and tutorials in the book

Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns, and Creative Spinning

and this is just one:

Click on the images to enlarge and read how to make this cool felted and pinned punk scarf.

 

 

Inspired by this scarf this is what I made:

 

I know you want to see it up close.

 

And even closer:

 

This is how I did it:

 

I laid out fabric strips and placed painter's tape every few inches to hold it together. This worked pretty well, a little fussy, so I also ended up pinning the strips together as well.

Then I just crazy stitched it together as seen in the previous photo.

I made it about two yards long and then repeated the process only this time laying the strips out on the back side of the first side and sewing them all together.

It has two cool aspects of it.

When I wrap it around my neck it stands up pretty stiff, I like this because when it's really cold I can pull the scarf up over my nose and some scarves are too floppy for that.

Second, when I fold it in half lengthwise it is more of a "stylish" or fashion long skinny scarf.

If you embrace the unique you will definitely want to grab a copy of:

 

Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns, and Creative Spinning
by Pluckyfluff AKA Lexi Boeger is an amazing book of spinning, fiber, knitting, crocheting, weaving and more!

Intertwined is an inspirational handbook for yarn lovers everywhere, created in an eye-popping, showcase style and packed with sparkling, full-color photo

This book will be a delight to the enthusiastic fiber crowd that is growing by leaps and bounds. It captures all the excitement of experimental, handspun yarns, and includes recipes for handspun yarns, project ideas for knitters and crocheters, tips on how to use one-of-a-kind handspun yarns (whether you spin them or buy them at yarn boutiques), and a gallery of handmade creations. The book also features profiles, anecdotes, essays, and thoughts on fiber arts and the creative process. Contributors range from Alpaca farmers and cutting-edge spinners to well-known knitwear designers.

There is has been a resurgence in interest in spinning and in using one-of-a-kind yarns, particularly by the all new knitters and crocheters, and there are no other cutting-edge, inspiring books out there to satisfy this enthusiastic audience.

The recipient of a bachelor's degree in fine art from UC Davis, author Lexi Boeger is the founder of Pluckyfluff.com, an Internet-based forum for unusual handspun yarns and fiber art. She is the innovator of highly original new techniques in handspinning and is carving a place for handspun yarn in the realm of pop culture.

Onto Q & A time:

Sunday Midnight California time will be the cutoff to be entered to win a free craft book and bobbin winder!

Sande asked:

Ok..I have a question for you. I recently saw a gorgeous altered book made from a composition book and the cover was made from tiles.

Would you know what kind of tiles could be used. They looked to be about 1 inch square and they were also altered using inks.

Thanks.
Sande

Answer:

I would say probably just about anything would work.

I think the key would be to use a really good glue to make sure they would stay on.

I think you can find them in both the craft store(in the mosaic section and in the altered art area) and in the hardware store in the tile section.

I would say though all those will make the book pretty heavy.

I bet you could make some with card board and then coating the top with a bunch of layers of embossing powders like in this post from  Paper Transformed.

 

Comments

[Cristina McAllister]

Gorgeous!

[senora muertos]

I love your scarf! I want to make one now!

[Ellen Lai]

We don't have much chance to wear scarf here in a tropical country, but I really envy those who have the chance to wear them and admire the fashion. This fabric strips scarf is not too warm for our weather and would look fabulous with a plain outfit.

How do you store cotton threads and yarns ? I have lots of them and sometime they turn spot yellowish. How do I get rid of yellow spots on the threads ?

[pattiewack]

That's amazing. I love the scarves, and would have never ever thought of it. I can't wait to see what they look like after they're washed and more raggy.

[Cyndi L]

The more raggedy the better! That is a great idea :-)

[~drew emborsky~]

Love(1,000) these scarves!!

[Suella]

Another useful way to make a scarf is to weave strips of fabric, ribbon, lace and/or yarn into aything that has a grid that is big enough to take yarns etc and is flexible enough to be the background to a scarf.

One of the things I use is net curtain material with 1/2" squares. Another is a 36" x 16"strip of black rubber mesh purchased for about $1.50 as a protective shelf liner, rug stay or cut up as a plate protector. It smelled of plastic/rubber for about a week but is scent free now.

The rubber mesh will have woven multi black,grey, and silver yarns into an 8" x3 6" strip. The other 8" x 36" I may leave plain. It drapes well and has a lot of texture. Both scarves will look good with my thrifted black and white Irish Tweed 3/4 length coat.

The net curtain is a huge offcut so I will make several scarves. It is off white, but has dyed well with a tea dye. It must be polyester so it will dye up very well and as bright as I want with transfer dyes. I'm looking at my stash of wools and yarns for inspirational combinations for the fall.