Pink Part IV-The Final Installment

Here we are at the end of October, and the end of our Pink Scarf project. Didn't this month go by fast?

Pattie has been especially inspired by this project, Grace is her third pink scarf! This is one of those versatile scarves, knit in Summer Set, that we think would work well for men or women with its understated textured pattern. Keep the fringe for some pizazz or leave it off for your favorite guy! Either way, its a sophisticated simple knit (please note that clicking the pictures will begin the download.)

Our next scarf, the Catskills scarf, was designed by Heather.

I chose Magnolia for my project because I LOVE this yarn. I had knit the Royal Empress Shawl as soon as the yarn and the pattern where available and just loved how the yarn worked up and the feel of it passing through my hands. I jumped at the opportunity to knit with it again! I knew I wanted to make a scarf cast on lengthwise as they always seem to work up faster for me, in my mind anyways. I started flipping through stitchionaries, toyed around with a few swatches and settled on one that I could tweak a bit. My intent in decreasing stitches as I progressed was to have a crescent shape scarf. However what I ended up with were peaks opposite the soft scallop of the cast-on edge. I love the end result and how knitting with the best laid plans can sometimes pleasantly surprise us.

Thank you for downloading and knitting these projects; we hope you enjoyed them as much as we did. And whether you knit them in pink or black, purple or brown; for yourself or as a thoughtful holiday gift, we hope you keep our original sentiment in mind. We have two survivors in our midst, so commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Month was especially resonant for us, but cancer is an indiscriminate disease that affects us all, and the only way to fight it is through research and early detection. So, in these final days of October, we hope you contribute to the fight and remember your favorite charity. Stay tuned for an e-book compilation of all our pink scarf patterns soon!

Cheers to our health and our knitting!

Pink Part III

Welcome to the third installment of the Pink Scarf Project, our tribute to breast cancer awareness month! This week, our two scarves come from Cheryl and Andi, our Hub Mills Store employee/knitting phenom and our customer service guru.

Our first scarf, designed by Cheryl, is knit in Wool Bamboo and employs a provisional cast-on. If you're not familiar with this technique, take a look at our tutorials section of the website and knit away!

I was working on Hope from the Classic Elite Sanctuary pattern book when we were told about the pink scarf project.While working on the ribbing, I thought it would make a nice scarf and I loved working with Wool Bamboo.I just changed the ribbing a little to make it reversible and added a little ruffle to each end. And voila! My first design.

Next is a scarf from Andi Clark. You might recognize her name from one of her many published patterns, or perhaps from our Staff Allegoro Project, where her knit lace edging sparked many readers' creativity. This simple reversible lace scarf knit in Silky Alpaca Lace dresses up any outfit, and I think her inspiration to hold the yarn double is easy to relate to for many knitters.

I love knitting lace. But lace yarn is too thin for me to comfortably handle. What to do? Double it! This scarf is knit with two strands of Silky Alpaca Lace. With two strands, you can use a large needle and the knitting flies. I picked this pattern because it is reversible. It’s an easy pattern, but you have to pay attention to it. Once done, block the life out of the scarf and it will be beautiful!

Pink Part II--Let's Hear it for the Boys!

We got some feedback last week about male breast cancer awareness, and this week are devoting our attention to the men who suffer and have suffered from this disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, 1,970 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and 390 others will lose their lives to it.

Our focus in October, like so many other organizations from Dannon Yogurt to the National Football League, is on women and breast cancer, partly because it is personal for us.

Though our scarves are pink, we encourage supporters to knit them in a rainbow of colors. Here are two scarves that are adaptable to male or female wearers—and when you knit one with your favorite guy in mind, remember the male breast cancer victims who have endured in the shadow of their female counterparts.

First, a bias garter stitch scarf from Judy knit in Alpaca Sox, a fingering weight yarn available in a wide spectrum of beautiful solid, kettle-dyed and hand-dyed colors.

I have two inspirations for my Breast Cancer Awareness Scarf. My sister, younger by exactly one year, has survived breast cancer for 6 years and, so far, is cancer free. Also, my late husband’s mother survived breast cancer for over 50 years with no recurrence. Two very remarkable women. These are two of the good stories.

My scarf is very versatile and can be knit in a many of the other Alpaca Sox colors that would be good to remember the men who have been touched by the horrible disease. It can also be knit in other yarns that come in colors that represent other Cancer groups. Just follow the same instructions changing needles size to accommodate the yarn.

My thoughts and prayers go out for all who have been touched by ANY kind of Cancer.

Next, this 3x3 ribbed scarf is cozy and warm in La Gran, and easily adaptable in over 45 colors!

Pattie designed it, and says, " I have been working here at least 100 years and of all the yarns that come and go, La Gran is my favorite!"

Please support research, and those working towards a cure, for all forms of cancer if you can. We are confident that any donation you make to these causes, no matter how small or large, will be greatly appreciated. For more information about the CEY Pink Scarf Project and to see other patterns in the collection, visit our Web-Letter.