Last FOs of 2012

With only a few hours left to go in 2012 (actually, for those of you in Australia and New Zealand, it's already 2013), I thought I'd share my very last FOs of the year—both finished yesterday. It feels good to be ending the year with a couple of fun projects off the needles.

First up, a Kusha Kusha scarf:


Pattern: Kusha Kusha, by Setsuko Torii
Yarns: Habu Textiles laceweight merino and stainless steel/wool
Needles: US3 and US4

I confess, this is my third Kusha Kusha—the pattern is kind of like potato chips for me. For one thing, the naturally dyed Habu yarns are exquisite. It simply was not possible to leave the Habu booth at Stitches East in October without some of the stainless steel in my bag, and I think I cast on the very next day.



I love the simplicity of the design, and most of all the way the edges curl and wave after you felt the scarf a little bit in hot, soapy water. This time I played around with the pattern: I used a single strand of the stainless steel on both ends instead of only one, and I used two different colors. I also worked some purl rows randomly on one end to add a little texture.



From laceweight wool and stainless steel, we go to sturdy worsted weight cotton. Voila, a spa cloth for the New Year:


Pattern: None—I improvised
Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Worsted in Haze Heather and Golden Heather
Needle: US 6



I knit the "body" of the cloth, then crocheted the edging using a simple 3-dc shell stitch. I think I prefer the "wrong" side of the ribbing stitch pattern, but they both look good and provide a pleasing texture.



What's the difference between an ordinary washcloth and a spa cloth? I'm not sure, but I'm convinced this is a spa cloth.

Thanks for reading, and wherever you are in the world, I hope you're having a very happy New Year!