I have been looking for some Disney themed knit or crochet projects I could make for gifts.  Rapunzel was my most recent search through Ravelry.  There aren't very many option.  However, I came across this lovely Rapunzel inspired scarf pattern.  It is written by the creative Juli from the Once Upon a Cheerio blog.  The Rapunzel's Braided Scarf Pattern can be found in the highlighted link.

This pattern is quite simple, however, the magic braid can be a bit confusing.  I believe Juli wanted to offer a better tutorial on the method, but didn't have much to offer.  She did provide a diagram for the magic braid, but I think a more in depth picture tutorial might be a bigger help to some. 

That's where I come in!  This Rapunzel pattern is so wonderful, but I think the braid might be keeping others from sinking in and making more.  Below I have offered a step by step picture tutorial on how to execute the magic braid.

I made mine a bit shorter for the little one I am making the scarf for, used a different hook size, and crocheted with a single strand of worsted instead of two.  I am also toying with the idea of putting some applique flowers onto the braids.   That way the scarf looks like Rapunzel's hair in Tangled when she visits the village.

You can find all the notes on my Ravelry Project Page.

Before you start, I want to point out that the works for all the braid sections of the scarf.  I simply photographed the end piece of the scarf, because it was my last one.  I used the rest of the braid sections as practice, so I could get this right for you!

Now, just repeat these steps 5 more times as the pattern is written.  Then voila, you have a wonderful Rapunzel inspired scarf.

I hope this tutorial helped and we get to see many more of the scarves in the future.  Thanks to Juli for writing a cute, quick, and satisfying pattern.

Happy Stitching!

MissNiss

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Hello New Year

I have given myself a month to sit on it and I think this year is going to be a good one.  That is what I am putting out into the universe!  2022, you and I are going to do some wonderful things.

I took some time in January to really think about what I want my knitting and crochet to be like this year.  What are the goals I am working toward?  What excites me? -color, texture, construction? Most of all though how to manage my time/anxieties with self imposed deadlines.

To begin here are some of my loose goals for 2022

1. Knit up STASH
     I have a few project ideas to use up my stash.  The stash I am mostly thinking about are partial used skeins or ends of projects that are just a few yards, but I kept anyway.  The first project I would like to make is a stripey, scrappy sweater with a neutral color as the main color and the stripes will just be random ends that I have.
     Another project idea I have is to finish (and maybe make another) scrappy granny square pillow I have done.  The first pillow is a WIP that has been in hibernation for about 5 years now.  I would really like to finish it to add to my office.

2. Design More
     I have a few designs I have in shop, but I would like to make more.  I am already starting on this goal.  I have designs a new sock pattern called the Vanilla Ridge Sock.  It is in testing right now, but will make its debut on February 16th!
     I do have a couple more ideas in mind for design projects I can work on the rest of the year, but I am not pushing myself in case I cannot follow through with them.  They are ideas and I want the process to be fun.  So, I will slowly dip my toes into designing again.  If I only manage to get this one pattern out this year, YAY!

3. Knit for Me
     I tend to knit a lot for others.  I make things for my family and friends, especially little ones.   I have been doing more self knitting this the past year, but would like to do more.  I completed a sweater for myself this fall and have one as a WIP currently.  I also made myself a couple pairs of  thick slipper socks and 5 pairs of fingering weight socks. 
     I am not sure what projects I  will choose for myself other than the ones on my needles and the stash using concept.   What patterns do you love that might make a nice self knit for me or others reading this?

4. Use More Natural Fibers
     While I am certainly okay with using acrylics (don't come for me), I want to venture into using more wools and wools form different sheep if possible.  Maybe some plant fibers, silk, and mohair as well. 
     Unfortunately, the one animal fiber I cannot use is Alpaca. I bought some beautiful green baby alpaca yarn ages ago and finally decided to try to knit something with it last winter.  As I knit and snuggled the soft yarn my body decided to let me know that was a no, no.  My face broke out into a rash the next day and I noticed as I tried on the garment my skin would feel hot.  I frogged the project and the yarn now just mocks me as it sits on my shelf, unused.


Four seems to be a good round number.  I think I will stop there.  I am excited to see how the year goes and what goals I may meet!

Do you have any knitting/crochet goals this year?