Crafting in Cornfields: Scarfette...and (gulp) Knitting

So here's the deal...you all know enough about me by now to know that I just can't pass up trying to copy something to make it more affordable. Well, surprise...I'm at it again! When my Momma and I went out shopping after Thanksgiving, I came across this cute little...what shall I call it....Scarfette! It wraps around your neck and is just so soft and cozy, but you don't have to mess with having all of this material draping around your coat. For someone who doesn't even like to wear a coat, this is a great option for me to minimize my layers at winter! But, like most times, I wanted to try making one myself...it's all about the challenge after all! I'm pretty happy with how it all turned out!

The first photo is the original...it's by Fossil, and retail price was around $32. I got it way on sale, so that's a bonus, but there's no way I could justify paying that much to give them as gifts. I went to work trying to figure out how I could copy it...first off, it's knitted (yuck) so I knew I'd have to come up with a crocheted alternative. I thought if I used a bulkier weight yarn (like a 5 or 6) and a larger hook size (like a P) that I could simulate the fluffy-ness of the scarfette and make it quick and easy to work up. Joann's seemed to be the best option around me to find the large buttons to use. The one on the original scarfette measures in at 2 inches! Once I figured out my pattern and was satisfied with how it all looked, I worked one of my copy scarfettes up in only 30 minutes! And that's start to finish! Can you believe it!

I love these little cuties and they'd make great gifts!!!! Give them I try! I'll post my really abbreviated instructions for guidance below the pictures!

original Scarfette by Fossil

Jackie's copy

comparing size, stitches, and button holes

Crocheted Scarfette Instructions

1 strand of 5 or 6 weight yarn, or 2 strands of worsted weight 4 yarn

Size P crochet hook

2 inch button

Thread for sewing button on

Chain 50 loosely
Row 1 - single crochet in each chain space (50 sch) - chain 1 & turn
Row 2 - single crochet in each space (50 sch) - chain 1 & turn
Row 3 - single crochet in each space (50 sch) - chain 1 & turn
Row 4 - work 6 single crochet in the first 6 spaces - chain 3 loosely - single crochet across starting in the 4th space from the last single crochet (6 sch, 3 ch, 41 sch) - chain 1 & turn
Row 5 - single crochet in each chain space (50 sch) - chain 1 & turn
Row 6 - single crochet in each chain space (50 sch) - chain 1 & turn
Row 7 - single crochet in each chain space (50 sch) - finish off
Sew button at the end about 5 inches up from the bottom.

You'll notice that this post does not stop here...no, I decided that I loved my scarfette's, but wondered how hard it would be to try one of these little babies with my ~~dusty/never-used/sticks-from-hell/~~knitting needles. For those that know, I'm a crocheter through and through. My good friend and fellow crafter, Hannah, tried her best to get me to knit. She even got me these awesome little orange needles and gave me a full day's worth of lessons. But try as I might, I could not get them to create anything like the gorgeous scarf she made me a few years ago for Christmas! I had resigned myself to the fact that I would never be a knitter. Well, fast forward to yesterday...after a little inspiration from the scarfettes, and a little assistance from YouTube...look what I have done! I'm KNITTING!!!!! I can't say it's my favorite thing to do, but so far, it's turning out lovely! I've held on to this variegated blue and tan yarn for a long time now, and it's finally getting put to use. I just love how it's coming together. So, Hannah, you'd finally be proud of me! :)

If you'd like to learn how to knit and don't have an awesome Hannah to teach you, check out these videos...they worked wonders for me!

How to Knit - the Basics (YouTube video)

How to Knit - the Purl Stitch (YouTube video)