i've got my scarf to keep me warm

Friday, December 18

as expected, christmas day is rapidly approaching and my crafting list is still growing. i have been crafting every night, well into the wee hours and now, i am sick. ugh!

this week i had a scarf exchange and the last day of preschool, so now i can post the tutorials for my scarf & my teacher gift. this season, i have been inspired by my favorite store, anthropologie. they are responsible for both of the gifts i gave this week and my christmas cards. ahh, i love everything in their catalog (and stores, but since there is not one here, i rarely get to have that experience.)

so, while perusing their website, i found this:


the squiggle scarf. isn't it amazing? and, it is cashmere. and, a little costly for my budget of $10 to $15 for the scarf exchange. and, now sold out online.

i thought i might be able to create something a little similar. (well, at least inspired. isn't that what you call it when it doesn't turn out anything like the original?)

i purchased 2 yards of a nice weight knit, matching thread and elastic thread.


i cut a 10 inch piece of knit that was the entire length of my fabric (2 yards).


i set up my machine with the matching thread in the needle and hand wound the elastic thread around the bobbin. you do not want to pull the thread as you wind as it will stretch the elastic and your gathering won't look right. this is the most annoying/hardest step in making this scarf. (and, please ignore all the spray paint on my hands. it is from the next tutorial.)


my machine settings were as follows:
stitch length 5
tension 3

next, decide where to stitch. i decided on three rows at 2.5, 5 & 7.5 inches. then, straight stitch from one end all the way to the other. don't forget to back stitch at the beginning and end to secure your stitching.


can you see the fabric ruffling behind the foot?

i sewed rows 1 & 3 first and then stitched down the middle.


and, after no more than ten minutes of time, i had this:



isn't it cute? i love it! of course, i finished it with just enough time to get ready and go to my scarf exchange, so i have no pictures wearing it. i will make another one today for myself (that is how much i love it!) so maybe if i don't look too rough tonight josh can take one and i can post it then.

edited to add this not-so-great picture of the finished product:



when i tried it on, miller said, "mommy, why are you wearing a swirly tie?"

squiggle scarf. swirly tie. i don't care what you call it, but it's cute.

check out this and other ideas at diy day and  frugal friday party and at



18 comments:

Molly said...

Well! That IS the cutest scarf EVER! I had no idea you could even put elastic on your bobbin! I am going to try this...however I do not have a fancy sewing machine...hope it works!

kris said...

omg, LOVE THIS! i wondered what you're knit project was! this is delish, i want one too. :) great job, lady!

Kelly said...

One of the things I miss about Dallas... Anthropologie. There's one in every mall. Cute scarf! I am very jealous of your sewing abilities!

Faith said...

We are actually getting an Anthropologie..........IN SADDLE
CREEK!!! It's going in where Ya Ya's used to be!!:-)

Charity said...

It looks so warm and cozy. MERRY CHRISTMAS

Anna K said...

It turned out really well. Wish we could have seen a photo of you wearing it. Great job. I think I'm going to steal this idea.

Unknown said...

I'm the proud new owner of this lovely scarf from the zoo scarf exchange! Woo hoo - I love my swirly tie scarf! Thanks MB

The Perkins Trio said...

That is just too cute! Love it!!

breanne said...

Yay, with 3 more days of crafting and sewing I can now add this to my list....thankyouverymuch ma'am!

Reyna Meinhardt said...

That is adorable! I love Anthropolgie and also love seeing how people make their own things inspired by more expensive things from Anthro! So fun!!

Anonymous said...

This is so adorable! Thanks for sharing!
Glad I found your blog, looking forward to taking a look through your archives when I get a chance!

Decor To Adore said...

Your DIY is DE liciously lovely!

Have a merry and bright Christmas.

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

I love it! What a great gift to make. Thanks for sharing.

Kim -today's creative blog said...

what a great job you did!

Erin A said...

This is gorgeous! Well done!

Kathy Otwell said...

I am endlessly impressed by your ideas and their results!

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