HOMESPUN SCARVES

YARN: Lion Brand Homespun

Pattern: Cast on a likely number and use a needle size that creates the drape you prefer. Garter stitch until the skein is used up, couldn't be simpler.

When I first started knitting I made five of these scarves in various colors and gave four away as gifts. The sixth scarf (bottom photo) came about when I decided it was time to force myself to learn how to throw with my right hand so two color knitting would be easier.

I'm not a fan of acrylic yarn and I would not call myself a fan of Homespun but I don't understand the deep hatred some people have for this yarn. It is what it is. I'd never make a garment out of it but it seems fine for flat shapeless things like scarves and afghans.

One thing worth noting is that Homespun sometimes feels soft but it can also feel like scratchy plastic. I have no idea why certain colors feel better than others.

NECKWARMER

YARN: Lion Brand Wool-Ease (held doubled)

Pattern: made it up, easy enough for anyone who knows how to knit in the round to figure out -- it's an ~11" long K3P3 tube folded over. 3 sts = 1 inch, worsted yarn held doubled or single strand of bulky. Do a very stretchy cast-on (such as twisted german cast-on) and cast-off (such as EZ's sewn bind-off, that looks the best IMO). Here are more specific instructions.

As much as I love wool most of it causes my neck and wrists to itch, so I must avoid using it for things that touch my neck and wrists. That's where Wool-Ease comes in handy, it feels pretty good and I can wear it around my neck.