Mirage
According to Oxford, one definition of "mirage" is "something illusory."
The brief meltdown we had this week was just the illusion of the coming spring, a taste, a teaser, but still, a welcome reprieve during a cold and difficult winter. The illusion of spring was further enhanced by knitting my spring-coloured handspun into a nifty new scarf.
The pattern is Mirage (free on Ravelry) and it worked wonderfully with this heavy fingering weight and limited yardage. It's knit on the bias so the stripes go diagonally, with ruching for extra texture, and, bonus for a thinner scarf, extra insulation factor.
This yarn was much nicer to knit up than my last batch. It actually felt soft and bouncy. I didn't block the final result, as I liked the texture so much. Final dimensions, 6.5 in x 60 in - pefect.
Yes, it's maybe a bit foo-foo, and the colours just a titch loud, but I delighted in wearing it this week. Even if it isn't spring yet, I felt spring-like, especially compared to the black and navy crowd that seems so prevalent and .... dreary. 
33 people had something to say:
I LOVE it! The pattern and yarn are going so well together! Remember my Barcelona socks by Mona Schmidt? It was Mystery socks in November 2007 I think, I used Jojoland yarn for those and your scarf reminds me of them. I like also, that you knit up your handspun right away. I should do that too. Hm.
ooh yummy spring goodness! I wonder if my new alpaca would look good in this...hmmmm. Thanks
Oh those black and navy people can just bite me is what I always think. The scarf is great!
Alice
NOT froufrou. Beautiful gradation.
The scarf is wonderfully cheerful. I like!
Oh, indeed, the texture is wonderful! And the color is wow. Did you actually spin that on your drop spindle? Maybe there's hope for me.
Awesome scarf! Screw 'em if "they" think it's loud. Your neck - your handspun - wear it proudly.
I love the colours they are purrrfect!
Great pattern/yarn combo!
It looks so springy! Like that secret carpet of moss I find when all the snow finally melts away.
Totally, completely gorgeous! Harry wants one too.
What a great use for that gorgeous handspun! It looks so - smooshy? I dunno. I want to touch it!
i love the colors!
Ooh, I really love the colors and the texture! This just made its way into my queue....
I love bright colours. They seem happy and optimistic while somber, dull colours feel more depressing.
If you want to do a happy dance, a nice bright scarf is a good start.
You're scarf is just lovely. It makes me think of daffodils in the spring.
I've also notices that Canadians in the winter are a drab bunch.
Beautiful scarf! It really shows off the handspun.
it's beautiful! the colors and vibrant and it looks so squooshy. well done, you!
Looks great Dave! Definitely spring like and the texture is awesome. I do agree that sometimes the blocking takes some of the best parts out. You should feel pretty jaunty wearing it out!
That's a great use of your handspun -- the texture really plays it up. I can see why you would want to wear it!
I'm glad you wore it. It probably brightened lots of people's days that you don't even know about. And I appreciate ideas for things to do with limited amounts of handspun. That's one thing that keeps me from trying it--not having enough to make anything.
Looks good enough to eat. Reminds me of gelato!
It makes me cheery just LOOKING at those colors. I am sure Suna is right — people around you will smile when you walk by!
I love the colors. I've always thought that a scarf was the perfect way to add some bold color that you might not wear otherwise.
How much yardage did you have for the project?
If that isn't "springy" I don't know what is!!! *wink*
(((hugs)))
Very cool scarf! I bet it looked great amongst the black and navy. : )
We got the spring-like lull too... very tricky!
Great scarf - we had that false spring going on here in MN, too. I wasn't taken in, however.
Your appearance is quite masculine and I think you could pull this off. With pale skies and all that snow, I'm sure people welcomed looking at a bit of color. I like the texture of the unblocked scar - on my screen it looks like waves of color. This scarf would look good against a brown sweater.
This looks great, Dave! I've not seen the pattern before, it's a great one for handspun. I might have to pull out some fingering weight handspun for this scarf!
That is a wonderful scarf, and just the thing to brighten up a winter day.
The scarf looks great! I really like how the bias stripes play with the color shift. Yay for handspun springtime!
Great work, Dave. The colors really compliment the pattern.
That's awesome! Really if it's the only bright color you're wearing, I bet it looks great and stylish!
Lovely stuff - how wonderful to waer the green shoots of spring!
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