Wasabi!

Remember the old Budweiser commercials where the people would call each other and say "Whassssup?" And then there was one in the series with an Asian twist, where they would say "Wassssabi?" This is the word that keeps running through my mind as I whip through my latest project, the Wasabi scarf.

If you've never done a drop-stitch scarf, you should learn how. It makes a BIG scarf out of a little yarn, it's a great way to show off ribbon yarns, and best of all it is mindless. This is TV knitting at its finest. Go ahead, have that glass of wine, turn on American Idol and knit away. You'll have a whole scarf done before Randy can say, "Whasssup dog?"

I was inspired to start this at the store yesterday, when I saw that our big spring shipment of hand-dyed Colinette Giotto had arrived. This ribbon yarn has been one of the Loops best sellers from day one. The colors are stunning (so much more complex and vibrant in person), and we have lots of styles for super-easy tops that come out gorgeous with little effort - the yarn does the work.

We got a new color in Giotto, "Wasabi," a "slime green" as Gina Marie would say, but there is something so hip and spring-y about it. We already had another Colinette yarn, Isis, in the same color. Voilá - inspiration!

Here is all you do:
Using Isis and #11 needles, cast on 20 stitches. Knit 4 rows.
Drop Isis and pick up Giotto. K1, *do three YO's, K1* repeat between *'s to end, K1. (Make sure you always start and end this row with a K1.)
Next row, knit across, dropping all YO's.
Pick up Isis again and knit 4 rows. Then do your two drop stitch rows with Giotto...and repeat until you're almost out of yarn. End with 4 knit rows of Isis and cast off.

This is going to make a really long, wide scarf - reminds me of what the heroine wore at the end of "Slumdog Millionaire." But I think "Wasabi Scarf" sounds better than "Slumdog Scarf." Don't you?

You could also make it using just Giotto, no Isis. Giotto has over 160 yards, so it would still be a great scarf. Maybe just cast on 16 stitches to start. But it is fun to alternate the two yarn textures, as well.

Spring scarves are hot, it's true...but in case you would rather make a Giotto top, here are some ideas:
• Sushi Tank (free ravelry download)
• Waterlily Top ($4.50 download from Interweave)
• Liesl ($4 online download from Ysolda, feather and fan pattern)
Plus, we have two store copies of discontinued Colinette books full of Giotto patterns, which we have been given permission to copy, free with purchase of the yarn.

Or, click to shop Giotto and Isis in our online store. Not all of the Giotto colors are up yet, but will be soon - right, Loretta? You can also call the store to shop: 1-877-LOOPSOK.

Happy TV knitting!

- Shelley