How Does Your Garden Grow? by Roxie Day

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Knitting
February 2006
Sport (12 wpi) ?
US 10 - 6.0 mm
480 yards (439 m)
English
This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download

from marnie: “Designed by my mom, Roxie Day, this piece is as much necklace as scarf. Make it as lush or sparse as you like, change the colors or add a carry along fiber to add a little sparkle or texture.”

Available as a pdf here.

from the designer: “On a recent trip to Newbury Street in Boston. I skipped the boutiques and headed into the Society of Arts and Crafts, where an incredible display of felted items was being showcased. There were vases, chairs, and ornamentals oddities as well as garments. One look at the price tags on the scarves and hats, and I was plotting my own creation.”

Yarn Used

2 skeins green Frog Tree Alpaca, 100% DK weight alpaca, 130 yd per skein and a partial skein of dark red

“NOTE: I selected this yarn because it is produced by a non-profit cooperative in Bolivia. Purchases of the yarn provide support to this cooperative and allows the cooperative to provide work to a number of women to supplement their household income.”

Yarn Substitution Recommendations


“Wool or alpaca that has not been bleached white or processed into a Superwash fiber will felt nicely. This project is a great stash buster and would look incredible if the stem and leaves were of multiple shades of green and the flowers different colors. Just gather up 3 or 4 ounces of odd balls that would make great leaves and have fun with it. Who says leaves can’t be neon colored or even glittery?”

Supplies

• US #10 Circular or DPN needles

• Safety pins or markers

• Access to a washing machine and two old pillowcase – or just a large glass bowl if you want to try felting by hand

• Laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid

Gauge (before felting)

“Felting is very, very forgiving so gauge isn’t critical. If you come close to 2.5 to 3 stitches per inch by using size 10 needles with fine yarn, you’ll be happy. The project will look ugly while you’re knitting it because the needles are far too big for the yarn, but felting will bring out its beauty.”