The Maureen Scarf

I found this beautiful pattern on A Spoonful of Sugar - I wanted to find a pattern that I could use with some of the lighter weight yarns that would be a little wider despite the thin yarn.  This one filled the bill: http://www.aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com/2012/05/crocheted-scarf-free-pattern.html

What better to make this beautiful scarf with than Malabrigo sock yarn!  For this project I chose Malabrigo Sock in Archangel (850) and Caribeno (474).  I used a G hook for both scarves and started the scarf with a chain 44 (instead of a chain 52), as is optional in the pattern.  Of the two, the Archangel was my favorite - it has very subtle soft pink color changes, warm and comforting to the eye, and it lends itself to great stitch definition.  The Caribeno has more dramatic color changes, from green to cobalt blue, which leads to a variegated color scheme which slightly obscures the lacy pattern.  This was something that I could see on the skein but didn't really think about it until I was in progress.  It's still quite pretty and both scarves are nice and soft.

I also made a third Maureen scarf using MadelineTosh Tosh Merino Light, in Forestry.  This was my first time using this yarn - it's a fingering weight yarn and I'd say that it's just slightly thinner than the Malabrigo sock.  It is also a 100% Superwash Merino Wool, but it has a different texture, almost a little bit less "fluffy" to so speak.  Just like the Malabrigo yarns, MadelineTosh yarns have stunningly beautiful colors and I am looking forward to using more of them.  One interesting thing about this yarn is that there are no dye lots, every skein is unique.  This particular one I chose for this scarf is full of different hues of brilliant emerald green, it's completely stunning.

The scarf itself worked up very quickly, this is a great pattern and I can see that this will probably become one of my standbys.
With each yarn, I used the entire skein.  The final measurements of each scarf varied for each yarn, even between the two Malabrigo yarns.  I personally like to wear my scarves in a "keyhole" wrap around my neck so I like them longer, around 72" or so - when I make another I'll break into a second skein so I can get them to my ideal length.
My scarves were:
Malabrigo Sock Archangel - 7.25"x68.5"
Malabrigo Sock Caribeno - 7"x62.5"
MadelineTosh Tosh Merino Light Forestry - size and pictures to be added soon!

Some pictures of the finished product for your enjoyment!

Malabrigo Sock Archangel:

Malabrigo Sock Caribeno: 

Granite Stitch Men's Scarf

I'm always on the lookout for good crochet patterns for men's scarves.  Almost any basic plain pattern will work for men, but often they are a little too plain for me.  This one is very simple but has a nice result and makes a good manly scarf.  I found the pattern on The Caped Crocheter blog:

http://capedcrocheter.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/granite-stitch-mens-scarf/

For this scarf I picked up 2 skeins of Cascade Eco Duo.  This yarn is 70% undyed alpaca and 30% undyed merino wool, an unimaginably soft and snuggly yarn.  When I say soft I mean SOFT, you fall in love with it the minute you touch it.  It has nice marled colors which lead to nicely graduated colorways.

I used the Cascade Eco Duo Chicory with an H hook.  This scarf took almost all of 2 skeins ( 197 yards each).  The end result was a 6"x76" scarf.  Because this scarf is worked width-wise you can produce a shorter scarf than I did if you like by just stopping when you get to your preferred length; I made mine for someone who is 6'2" and so the length is adjusted accordingly.

This is a straightforward and repetitive pattern, just continual repeats of 2 rows.  You'll be working in ch-1 spaces, and it ends up being an alternating pattern.  Because it was a little monotonous I found I actually did need to pay attention, a couple of missed stitches in both the middle and at the end caused my scarf to start shrinking and meant I had to rip out a lot of rows to get back to my mistake.  To prevent it from happening I just counted my stitches on my odd rows every now and again to make sure I was still on track as I continued through the scarf.  I would make this pattern again, plain as it is it has a very nice result.