Looking through my yarn, I saw I had two skeins of a mohair blend. The yarn is a mix of deep purple, reminding me of Scottish heather, greens of the hills and the gray of the mist with a gold metallic thread mixed in, which is hard to see in the photographs. When I looked up the yarn on-line, not having bought it myself but having acquired it as part of a large stash I'd acquired, I found the colour name is...what else..."Scottish Meadows."
It immediately made me think of "Outlander," the first book in the series by Diana Gabaldon of which I am an admitted fan. Okay, maybe not so much the most recent book, "An Echo in the Bone," my issues with which would be separate subject entirely.
Only having two skeins, or 180 yards, I was limited as to what I could make but finally decided on a small moebius. This seemed particularly appropriate as even Gabaldon talks about situations in her books wherein there is a "Moebius twist of fate" (See The Outlandish Companion by Diana Gabaldon, p. 337 HC edition). So here you are, my pattern for
SCOTTISH MEADOWS (OUTLANDER) MOEBIUS
(US Terminology)
Yarn: Mohair blend, or yarn of your choice, 180 yds.
I used 2 skeins of Trendsetter Yarns; Dune in Scottish Meadows (93), 90 yds/skein
Hook: 9 mm (N/M) hook,
Size: 4" wide x 36" circumference
Time: 4-5 hours
Base: Ch an even number until you reach your desired length; I did 140.
Join chain together with a SS being very careful that the chain is flat and has not turned.
Row 1: Chain 3 in same stitch as join, DC in each Ch thereafter, leaving last Ch unworked.
Row 2: Turn the work and stitch DC on the other side of the base chain until you reach the first Ch 3 and the unworked Ch. Skip the unworked Ch and join to the top of the Ch 3 with a SS.
Because the turn creates a twist in your piece, it will look as though you've done two rows as you've working both sides of the base chain. The twist will be more pronounces as you work more rows.
Row 3 and each subsequent rows: Ch 3 and turn. DC in the open space between the DC of previous row. When you get back to the beginning Ch 3, join with SS and turn.
Continue until the piece is the width you desire. You may end with a row of SS, if desired.
My piece is 4" wide which is enough for a (1) draped accessory, (2) can be looped for a neck warmer, or (3) looped with one piece pulled up for an ear warmer.
Feel free to make your own version, but please, don't sell the pattern.
Posts
I'm fascinated by your innovation and by the word 'moebius'. I've heard the word before but din't know what it meant. I looked it up on the net but had no satisfaction. I came back to to your blog. Is it something that twists while coming full circle?
ReplyDeleteFrom the photo I can see that your small Moebius is quite a functional and pretty accessory and I love how you make use of all that symbolism.
What a wonderful crochet pattern/history book you could write with glossy photos. It would be a huge seller, I'd bet.
Wendy, you are too kind. If you take a strip of paper and twist one end before you join it, that's a moebius. If the strip is colored on one side, you then see that, as you follow it around, what was the outside become the inside. Gabaldon uses a moebius to explain her theory of time travel, which I'll admit I don't really understand.
ReplyDeleteFor crochet, what I like about a moebius is that, depending upon the size, you wan wear it as a long scarf, if wide enough open it for a shawl, double it for a neck warmer, pull one end up for a hood or ear warmers and lots of other things. They're fun to make and look great.
You make me wish I could crochet...I get hopelessly boggled...And I've taken classes in it. Maybe I'll look for the yarn and try again...
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen, I love crochet and am delighted when others want to try it. That said, I would not recommend using a mohair blend for a first project as it is not the easiest fiber with which to work. Making a moebius is great fun. The first one I made was with Debbie Bliss Fez, a soft merino wool/camel blend. You can see it at http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bksrmgc/snowy-day-moebius-neckwarmer-hood (cut and paste the link). Do give crochet another try.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to crochet since I was little! A very long time ago...:) I took a class in it and with tons of help managed to make a sweater. Everything I've made since has been a trianigle or a plain mess. :) This if from a woman who can knit, tat and do just about every other kind of needlework. I bought a set of crochet hooks again last year...Hope springs eternal...
ReplyDeleteOh dear; I shall hope with you. It is interesting when most consider crochet to be so much simpler than the other disciplines you mentioned. But sometimes working in a particular medium just doesn't click. Sorry I'm not near you to help.
ReplyDeleteI love the Scottish Highlands, I love a mobeius, and I'm also a Gabaldon. This is a marriage of many lovely things. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Anne. Have fun. I find moebius' addictive to make.
ReplyDeleteLJ
ReplyDeleteI have been periodically checking your blog to see if you have a Christmas posting up so that I could respond and wish you a happy holiday and lovely New Year. But you don't, so I will just add my wishes to this one. And thank you for the informative and interesting reviews!
Diane
Thank you, Diane, and to you as well.
ReplyDeleteI have been remiss but plan to post soon with a year-end summary of my reading. Two more books to go before I'm there. Stay tuned.
LJ
I am a huge fan of Outlander, and my heritage is Scottish. So when I saw your pattern, I fell in love with the cowl. Thank you for sharing your wonderful pattern.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of Outlander, and my heritage is Scottish. So when I saw your pattern, I fell in love with the cowl. Thank you for sharing your wonderful pattern.
ReplyDelete