I’ve had an Idea with a capital I. It came to me one night as I went to bed, and I was so excited to start that I couldn’t get to sleep for ages.

It’s a nice feeling, that flash of inspiration, though it is of course always followed by having to actually do the thing – or let it wither on the idea vine, which I’ve definitely let happen before now.

Anyway the idea was this: what if I wrote a series of knitting patterns for scarves with affirmations, encouragements, and otherwise powerful messages? And I knew the first one I wanted to make: you don’t need permission.

I had to pin it, because I didn’t add any edging and you know how stockinette likes to behave

It’s a message to myself first. I don’t need permission to write my first knitting pattern, to test it and perfect it, and ultimately to sell it. I can just do it!

It’s one of those rare occasions where the idea in my head translated pretty much exactly into real life. I tested the letters only, no border or edging, and knitted it in a mix of stranded and intarsia colourwork. That was phase one, and it took about a week all in.

I’m making a few tweaks – hardly any, really – and test two will be done double-sided which will be neater, cosier, and solve the problem of having a right and wrong side.

Bit more space needed after the apostrophe there

The first test, without the narrow borders I intend to add, used 11g of purple and 83g of green. I think the second one will use about 100g of each. If it goes over I’ll adjust the pattern – using a few grams of a second skein would not be sensible.

Wish me luck!


11 responses to “Affirmation Scarves: the Beginning”

  1. yarnoverload Avatar

    Awesome! Good luck and I look forward to more positive affirmations. 💪 🧶

    1. CA Avatar

      Thank you, I do too!

  2. Anita Avatar

    Love the idea, the result, and your plans! Good luck for the patterns.

    1. CA Avatar

      Thanks so much!

  3. tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles Avatar

    That is quite awesome! I am impressed with your work creating those letters and what a wonderful affirmation to remind yourself :-)

    1. CA Avatar

      Thank you Tierney! I was delighted that the letters came out so well on my first try!

  4. knittingissofun Avatar

    The lettering is gorgeous! What a fantastic idea for craft room decorating at a minimum. As a relatively new grandma, I love the idea of knitting a banner to put in my grandkids rooms. Perfect way to use up scraps on the lettering too. Hmm. I’ve been thinking about knitting a lap blanket with an inspirational message for my quadriplegic brother-in-law.

    1. CA Avatar

      Thank you! Could be a banner or could work the letters on to triangles for bunting.

      I think a message of love on a knitted blanket (which we all know is like a hug) is a nice idea.

  5. Laura Kate Avatar

    That pattern’s pretty cool. Congratulations .

    1. CA Avatar

      Thanks so much, I’m pleased with it!

  6. knittingjane Avatar

    Wow! Go for it, it’s looking great so far ❤️

Leave a Reply

Discover more from The Crafty Yarnster

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading