Friday 13 November 2015

Ray Of Sunshine Scarf........





My little.......


Ray Of Sunshine









I tend to gravitate towards Pastel shades in the summer months. Maybe it is because there is so much colour out in nature that I feel the need to keep things calm in the colours that I wear and in my house. The opposite happens in the Winter months. The grey, dull, depressing days call for bright colours to chase away the winter blues. I think it's only in the last few months I realised this colour cycle that I have. It's always been there, I just never really picked up on it before. 

Working on pastel blankets, as soon as the Autumn started to approach, I started to hanker after colour. Strong, vibrant colour.







I ordered some yarn trying to find the brightest shades that I could. Some were bordering on neon, which was a touch scary. I just wanted bright and 'in your face'. I wanted zing and wake up colours. I wanted colours that made me feel alive.







I know it was to be a scarf or shawl or cowl of some type but actually I wasn't sure what on earth I was going to make. I didn't have a pattern in mind, I just thought it might be fun to make something up as I went along. Errrrrrr, not such a good idea.







I started with a shawl, but after several hours of working on it, I didn't like it. I just liked a chunk of it. So I took that chunk of it and made a scarf. But after several hours of working on it, I didn't like that either. So I took the bit of it that I did like and the Ray Of Sunshine scarf was the result. I just sewed in the ends and I just couldn't decide what I wanted for the ends. I toyed with a fringe, or a lacy border, or even little pom poms. In the end I just left it plain, and it will probably remain as so.







So, the shell pattern was what I ended with, and I have to say, I think it was meant to be just that. I did the lines long ways which I think turned out better than having short lines.

I love it. It's gorgeously bright and uplifting. Quite 'in your face' but it makes me smile and it really is a little Ray Of Sunshine on a horridly grey day.







Today has been high winds and grey and wet, but then the sun came out for 5 minutes so I took it outside for a few snaps. I just managed it before it went grey and wet again.







I used Stylcraft Special DK as they seemed to have the best colour range of bright colours. Nothing seemed to beat them for colour except some cotton styles, but I didn't want to make this in cotton.

I used:

Lipstick 1246
Sherbert 1034
Fondant 1241
Grass Green 1821
Royal 1117
White 1001
Citron 1263

Do you know, I'm still not 100% convinced about this yarn. I LOVE the colour choice, and it's nice to work with, but there is still something, which I just acannot put my finger on, that is making this not a perfect yarn for me. I know it is so well used here in crafty land, but, as much as I love the pattern and the colour of this scarf, there is something about the yarn that has not put this scarf up there in my laminated list of scarf favourites.







However, the colours more than compensate for it, and it shall be a 'go to' when I am in the need of a complete colour boost and pick me up.





xxx

51 comments:

  1. Deramores Studio DK is a nice alternative, supersoft and lovely to work, with 'bright' and 'soft' colours. yummy.
    I am using this for the Spice of Life blanket, and makes my mouth water when I look at it. or am I weird.
    yeh, weird, uh-huh
    ;o)

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    1. Oh thank you for the suggestion. I'll look it up and give it a whirl! x

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  2. Ooh, it's so gorgeously bright and cheerful Vanessa! Have you painted your shed too? Fab colour! I think I know what you mean about the Stylecraft yarn. I made my pompom edged blanket with it. Absolutely gorgeous colours but just not quite cuddly enough texture wise. Although it did feel much softer after washing with fabric softener. Fine for blankets, but if I was using it for a scarf, I'm not sure if I'd be 100% keen on the texture right next to my skin.Have a lovely weekend! xx
    Loved your cake in the last post, I could do with a piece right now! xx

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    1. Yes, there is something about the texture of it that's not quite right. Like you say, perfectly fine for blankets, but maybe having it as a garment isn't so right. I'm definitely going to do the fabric softener trick and see if that bumps it up my scarf list!!!!!!! xxx

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    2. Vanessa, have you tried giving it a steam block with the iron? That can make a massive difference to acrylic, making it all floppy and drapey.
      And I once accidentally tumble-dried an acrylic baby cardigan my Mum knitted and it came out so fluffy and floppy it was glorious! Bit too drapey for a small baby garment in fact.
      Lovely work :o)

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  3. Yep I hear ya Vanessa. I was totally the same about Stylecraft Dk when I made my multistripe blanket out of it. Something just not quite right, something that I wasn't just totally happy with and almost a year later I still can't put my finger on it! Is it the texture, the ever so slight sheen? I read over and over how much people love it and I only wish I was one of them as the colours are pretty good and the price even better! Ah well I'm afraid I always did have champagne taste on a flat beer budget! Love the scarf though - its loooong!
    Vanessa Arran
    xxx

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    1. Oh I'm so glad I'm not the only one! I haven't used this yarn much, simply because it's not sold in any of my local yarn shops, and I don't shop online for yarn much. It's certainly not a yarn snob thing either. I always use acrylic and acrylic mixes for blankets (my blankets are always so huge that I'd be bankrupt if I used more expensive yarns), but I do mix and match my brands. I find certain colours look and feel better than others in the same range so I just shop about to get the best look, feel and colour. The colour range of stylecraft is awesome, especially for strong, bright colours, but I'm just not totally sold on it. However, for a bright fix when the greyness is really hitting me hard, this scarf will be used!!!!!! x

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  4. Wow that is really a nice splash of colours!!! Like the shellpattern too and it will brighten any grey November day!
    Here in Sweden it is a really grey day too, it was minus 5 deg.celcius this morning but it got up but but then it started to rain so it was "interesting" weather to walk our dog....I managed to stay on my feet at least.....the dog got soaking wet and is now sleeping on the kitchen sofa next to me while I crochet on my blanket......and drink some tea.
    Hope your scarf will get softer after washing so you get to use it!
    Happy day!/ Jeanette :)

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    1. It's been so grey here recently. Hardly any amount of sunshine. We've been hit too by so much rain. Urgh. I don't mind if it's well below freezing, but if the sun is shining, then all is good with me!!!!!!

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  5. Absolutely lovely!
    http://soldenochedecocrochet.blogspot.com.ar/

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  6. It's very cheery! I love the long-ness of it. I like the shells worked the length of it also, so much prettier. I'm working in pastels at the moment, pastel pink, for the paint I've chosen for my gumball machine and the yarn I've chosen for a round cushion for the sofa in popcorn stitch and I think for more texture I'll add a pom-pom fringe border. lol Enjoy the day, may the sun shine for you!

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    1. Oooooh, a pink gumball machine, that sounds awesome! I have plans for a pink popcorn stitch cushion cover, but it'll have to wait for a while. So much to do and so little time! x

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  7. Oh , what a scarf, you really are amazing! I knit along on my scarf in one colour...
    My plan is to learn crocheting on you tube...

    Wish you a nice week-end.
    Greetiings from Ida

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    1. I always think it's harder to learn either knitting or crochet if you can do one of the other, but they say it's easier to learn to crochet if you are knitter than vice versa. I don't know how true that is, but I do struggle with knitting and my speed. I get very frustrated at how slowly it grows compared to crochet....which always seems to satisfy my impatience!!!!!!!!

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  8. Such happy cheerful colours! I love the vibrant effect you have created for your scarf! I do know what you mean about the yarn.....I too think it is perfect for blankets, bags, toys and so on but maybe not quite as soft and luxurious as you are used to using for wearing.......still, it looks yummy!
    Helen xox

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    1. I think you are right Helen. I use acrylics for my blankets, but I tend to use the more luxurious yarns for accessories, like hats and wrist warmers and scarves. Maybe it's just the texture around my neck I am not so happy with, because I just love the brightness of the colours. I just wish maybe the more expensive brands had a bigger colour range to choose from. The only alternative is cotton, but I don't really like scarves in cotton,it doesn't feel right somehow. I guess I just associate scarves with softness, warmth and scruminess!!!!!!!

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  9. What a gorgeous splash of color! Beautiful work!

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  10. After I washed my Stylecraft blanket I found it lovely and soft, it is definitely better than almost any other acrylic I've tried. Wool can be a bit scratchy. I had to remove my woolly hat today because of that and it isn't even a very rough yarn but it was still itchy. I always find yarn colours limited though, no matter the range. I am used to embroidery threads and there are so many more of them than yarny colours. It is funny what a miserable lot we are though as colours people wear in the winter are so subdued. I think a lot of the time it's people being afraid to stand out, that and the taste thing (which condemns people to only ever having white loo rolls and magnolia walls and beige carpets) where no colours and no patterns are allowed. Well boo to that! Great scarf, I can imagine what pleasure it gives to wear it and look at it. Beautiful!
    Sara

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    1. Ah, maybe that's the trick then, washing it. I think you are so right with wool. It's terribly scratchy and itchy. Merino blends are the nicest, but sadly the most expensive! I'll treat myself to them for small projects and it feels a nice luxury. Yes, you are right though, the colour choice for the more luxurious brands are really limited which is highly annoying. Or, I find I discover one shade that I absolutely love, only to discover that they discontinue it soon after. That is SO annoying!!!!!!!

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  11. I love working with Stylecraft, but I have to say that I have not tried a lot of yarn yet. Love your vibrant scarf!

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    1. I might wash my scarf as in others suggestions, and that might make me love it even more!

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  12. Oh Vanessa what a perfect name for this scarf, I just love the colour even though I'm more of a soft pastels kinda girl. I do agree with you that the shell pattern long ways work beautifully and I like the simple ends it lets the colours be the stars of the scarf. A beautiful uplift on a grey day....
    it made me smile.
    Anna x

    P.s. On your last post have you ever tried Lili-Flame candles I'm not a big smelly candle person but "Jack Frost" by Lili-Flame is a really lovely winter smell candle!

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    1. I am loving the shell pattern worked lengthways, I might have to do another one, this time in more muted shades. I'm off to check out the candle recommendation! Thank you for that! x

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  13. Very very nice :-)
    Hugs and kisses from Tatjana

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  14. Dear Vanessa
    Stylecraft... Haven't tried it. Can not say anything about it. But talking acrylic in general, I just don't care for it in garments. I made a beautiful granny cowl last year from the softest Swedish acrylic, but I hardly ever wear it. It is just something about the synthetic that puts me off... Plastic shine... Squeeqy feel... I don;t know. A blog friend told me my Swedish acrylic is such a greater yarn than Stylecraft and still... Nahhh. I can use it in scrappy projects and for cushions. For that acrylic is perfect. It is a lovely scarf though, a real color bomb! She walks down the street with Stylecraft lipstick on... ;) To be honest I don;t really get that so many use Stylecraft for pretty much everything they make. I guess it is the amazing color range and the price... Me, I prefer natural fibers. And it is expensive, but I treat every creation as a heirloom so it is worth it.
    Happy weekend my dear. Hope you'll get some sunshine for a nice walk and don't forget to wrap up in this scarf. Teh colors are therapy in itself. It will make you feel not just good, but great.
    xxx
    Annette

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    1. No, I think that's it Annette, for garments, I don't think it's really all that good. I'm a total advocate for acrylic for blankets, but, maybe I'm used to using other stuff for wearing. It's not a snobby thing, but I think if you have something so close to your skin for a long time, you just want it to feel as nice as it can be. It's just such a shame that many brands are so limited with their colours. I have to give stylecraft that, their colour range is very hard to beat. But, as you say, this scarf is colour therapy, and I can get passed the feel of it around my neck for the colour happiness it brings me! xxx

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  15. Wonderful zingy colors in your scarf...reminding me of Mexico or perhaps Morocco...warm sunshine.

    Doesn't that yarn have an acrylic component? That's what would keep me away from it. Still...your scarf is a beauty. xo

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    1. Yes, Francis, it's acrylic. I wish other brands would produce a colour range to rival Stylcrafts, but I'm just not convinced this is a great yarn for me for accessories. x

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  16. I don't know Styledraft yarn over here in the States. But, I do know that some brands do acrylic better than others. Let's face it, we're spoiled! ;)
    Your scarf is great, but I'm lovin the blue of the wall behind it!!

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    1. Yes, I think you are so right. I also think that certain dye shades do better in a brand than others. I ALWAYS shop around for colour and texture in acrylic mixes when I'm making a blanket. Some dye shades look terrible and syntheitc, whilst others look beautiful and soft ane like a more expensive brand. However, It's all down to personal choice. I know people who are complete advocates to acrylic for everything, and others who wouldn't touch it. Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we were all the same!!!! x

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  17. I love it, Vannesa. It is slightly harlequinish, if you know what I mean but without being so time consuming..... I am with you on the stylecraft yarn. It is the fact that it is acrylic, I think.... Wish there was a lovely woolly yarn with the same variety of colours and price.......oh well, one can only dream....have a lovely Sunday! Pati x

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    1. Thank Pati! It was quite quick to whip up, and I definitely will make another in this pattern at some point. I can't say that because it's acrylic I don't like it, I use acrylic all the time and quite happy with using it. There is just something, that I just cannot put my finger on, that doesn't leave me thinking that I'm in a hurry to use it again. But you are right, I wish other brands had such a good selection of colours. Sigh. x

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  18. A fabulous splash of colour for the dark and dreary days!! This will bring some real colour and life to your life! xx

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  19. It should be "bring me sunshine" and be modeled by Messers Morecombe and Wise Its some more of that Christmas spirit sneaking in :)

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    1. Ah ha, that made me laugh so much! I can TOTALLY picture it! I might had to do a gif for a post on it!!!!!!!

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  20. Stunning, I use Stylecraft dk a lot but mostly for the colours, I'm not as in love with the texture of it as I could be.
    Clare x

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    1. Yes, maybe it's the texture. I use a lot of other acrylic yarns and don't feel like it with those as I do with this, so I'm at a loss!!!! I just wish other brands had such a superb colour range as Stylecraft DK. It's a shame. x

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  21. Stunning reminds me of harlequin patterns. I totally know what you mean about the yarn, it is great for the value for money and the fact it is machine washable makes it so perfect for baby blankets, but for me it doesn't have that wow yarn factor. The squishy lusciousness that wool, natural fibers have. I started my yarn journey many moons ago , acrylic in those day was vile, it squeaked. I am totally amazed at the way acrylics have moved on yet ,I still think something is missing .Your blog is so delightful.

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    1. Acrylic has come a long way hasn't it, but I agree, there is still something missing.

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  22. Wonderful scarf. I love these colors.

    Regards
    Ewela

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  23. What a beautiful happy scarf! That would certainly bring a smile on a cold gray dreary day.

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  24. I love Stylecraft Special DK for blankets and toys (not that I've made many at all) but I've found myself reluctant to wear anything made with it, like a scarf or cowl. It's soft and I generally like the colours, but there's just something about it which doesn't suit for accessories - for me anyway.

    I really like the shell design, it's pretty.

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    1. I think you are right....totally okay for blankets, cushions etc, but not for anything to wear. I did steam it though and it came out softer, and I shall use the tip of putting fabric conditioner on it when I wash it to see if that softens it and makes it feel and look better, but I have worn it, and it does make me smile and feel brighter in mood on a grey, dull day. x

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  25. So cheery and gorgeous! I love the shell pattern going lengthways...mi can see more of these in the future, in many different colours. Have you tried Annell wool? Gosh, I still call it all wool no matter the content... anyway, a soft acrylic in great colours and affordable even from the Netherlands

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