it's a scarf... or maybe a placemat??!

Things I learned today about Japanese craft books...this book in fact: all important ISBN4-579-11068-4

The almost edible wool is a present from my one of a kind mother in law, Maggie ( don't you all want one too?! believe me you do and not just because she loves buying wool as much as I do)
It is hand dyed 100% wool "Rose Garden" Rainbow wool - Popcorn from Lisa G. I was also spoiled rotten with some in the coconut ice colourway as well.

Lesson #1 - always check the page number against the pattern number  before you start whatever you are making or it may just turn out to be something else... I mean the scarf does look kind of like a placemat doesn't it? The patterns looked awfully similar except for the crucial number of starting chains and although I did wonder at the rather short starting row I continued merrily onward.....

Lesson # 2 If you don't think that the shape looks quite like it should, go back to lesson # 1 and check that pattern number again! Four rows in and I began to think "hmm rather short and stout..." but continued merrily on.......

Lesson # 3 Admit that you made a mistake sooner rather than later: that is way before you reach the last row of the pattern you are working on for a placemat . Undo it, find the right pattern ( yes the one on the same page but at the bottom....) and start again.

Lesson # 4 If you can tell that  you are going to run short of wool , when about two thirds of the way through the correct pattern for the scarf, you most likely will. Stop here and consider options:
a) buy more wool or
b) undo it and make it shorter , which in fact will make it more the length that you wanted it to be anyway or
c) continue merrily on

Lesson # 5 If the wool is a dream to work with and the colours are just gorgeous, then you won't really mind undoing almost the whole scarf to start again, this time the right pattern and just the length you want it, and you will have exactly the right amount of wool .....actually you will kick and curse a little (OK, a lot but do it quietly because little pitchers have big ears....) but you know it will be worth it in the end!

Photo of cursed scarf to follow shortly , I hope!
In the meantime , a few more photos from the book....

( I think I need to make these just for the pom pom trims)

Comments

[Bianca]

Yay pompoms!

[nichola]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh i lurve the bag with the pom poms!

[Elissa]

Where do you get these japanese books?

[maggie]

gosh I have wonderful daughter in
laws-lucky me!

[Jo]

May I please have one Maggie and one, maybe two, balls of that wool? I think we may have gone to the same pattern reading and way of crafting in general school. Definitely would have chosen C for lesson 4, even though I knew something was not right.

[gkgirl]

those colors are meltinyourmouth pretty!
and i love the photos from the books...
gorgeous
and so inspiring!
:)

[Lauri]

That wool is so beautiful...no matter what you made or what it turned out like would be 'hang it on the wall' beautiful!

And I love that purse!

[christina]

i love the purse pattern, what a great idea. i guess if i ever really got into crochet i could do something like that. for now i have to hold off since all of my needles are tucked away in a box, so sad.

[Sandy]

I LOVE the wool in your 1st photo. Where did you find that? I'd love to buy some. All of your things look great. I love reading your blog. :D

Sandy

[Eren]

I keep seeing such creative little rugs and this one just takes the cake. Now, I have to do one myself. Thanks for the great pics!

[Jackie]

I have this same book and absolutely love it!!! Japanese books are so very helpful!! <3