Off the Needles: Easy Mistake Stitch Scarf

{Introducing my newest feature on this blog -- "Off the Needles". In these posts I'll be sharing my latest knitted creations, links to the patterns I followed (which are, more often than not, free), along with things I've learned.  As with most hobbies, there is some expense with knitting, but I think it's a fun, useful skill and it definitely can save money (note the word can). Plus, you can't beat the quality and sentiment that goes along with things homemade, in my ever-so-humble opinion.}

I don't know what winter has been like for you, but it has been super, super wimpy where I live. We've missed the snow. My son still hasn't been able to go sledding yet, and those snow boots he got for Christmas are just waiting to be used. I keep joking with my husband that it figures that the one winter when I finally know how to knit hats, mittens, cowls, and scarves, we haven't needed them much!

However, there have been a few windy and cold days this winter, hence my husband's request for a cozy, thick scarf, something he could bundle up in the mornings before work and in the chilly evenings when he comes home.

I found the pattern for this easy yet good-looking scarf on one of my new favorite places on the Internet, The Purl Bee. I love the site for so many reasons, but my main reason is that it's such a great source for beautiful and free knitting patterns.

The Purl Bee's Easy Mistake Stitch Scarf really couldn't be simpler, a fantastic project for a beginner like myself. It looks harder to make than it is. I started the scarf back in December and finished it during the first week of January.  It was my first real knitting project (everything before was a sort of practice/experiment). I know that if I knitted it now, it wouldn't take me nearly so long. (My Ravelry notes can be found here.)

The pattern uses cashmere yarn (I can't even imagine knitting with cashmere. I'd be too afraid!), but I used a bulky wool-blend yarn (two skeins) for this scarf. It seemed more practical and masculine that way.  I used US size 11 needles and followed the simple instructions after casting on 39 stitches:  k2 p2, repeat until last three stitches, k2 p1.  I followed that simple pattern until the scarf was as long as he wanted and then did a simple cast off. I haven't blocked it yet, but it really doesn't need it.

Except for one row where I did an extra purl when I should have knitted (I can always spot it and it drives me nuts!), the scarf turned out really well and it is so, so warm. Too bad he hasn't had to wear it once this month. There's still one month of winter left (and the weather here is known to be fickle), so maybe he'll need it at least one more time this season.

Note: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have disclosed.