Marsha

Jumping on the Baktus bandwagon

Apparently the Baktus scarf was all the rage last year among Norwegian knitters–and the non-Norwegians who read the Norwegian knitters’ blogs. I heard about it only recently, when my friend JD posted about it on her blog.

As it turned out, I happened to have two balls of Koigu KPPM (both mill ends of slightly-less-than-standard size) that I’d received as a gift about a year and a half ago. They seemed perfect for the Baktus, so I set off knitting and before long this is what I had:

baktusftf.jpg

I thought about alternating the two colors every two rows but decided against it, preferring instead to have two big blocks of color. I love how it looks!

This pattern is very easy to memorize, which makes it excellent for mindless knitting. I like it so much that I’ve already cast on another one–this time using two 50g balls of sock yarn, so I’m hoping it will be a bit longer than my first one.

Incidentally, this is the very time I’ve ever knit with Koigu. Finally, I understand what all the fuss is about. I’m not ready to run off and join the Koigu Cult*, but wow, that stuff is really nice to knit with.
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*Two reasons: (1) I can’t afford to knit with Koigu; and (2) most non-accessory garments (e.g., sweaters) knit with Koigu look like a paint shop exploded all over them (and no, that’s not a good thing).

9 Responses to “Jumping on the Baktus bandwagon”

  1. Chrison 30 Oct 2009 at 8:30 am

    Ok, I haven’t seen that scarf before, but I like the shape!

  2. Shannahon 30 Oct 2009 at 9:27 am

    Can we get an action shot? I’m trying to imagine it being worn…

  3. knittymamaon 30 Oct 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Argh, something else I need to knit right now! That’s lovely.

  4. Deborahon 31 Oct 2009 at 11:53 am

    Very nice! I love Koigu myself and can only see it in socks, cowls, hats or mitts. Never would I ever attempt a sweater with it. I think it would definitely look like a box of crayons threw up all over me. :-)

  5. Bethon 01 Nov 2009 at 9:01 pm

    Very nice scarf, Marsha! I love it! It looks even better on you; consider posting a photo of you modeling it.

  6. Marshaon 01 Nov 2009 at 10:28 pm

    Thanks, everyone! I will see if I can get a modeled photo posted soon. In the meantime, if you look at JD’s post (linked above) you can see one way to wear it. There are photos out there of longer scarves being worn with the center triangle in front of your neck and the two halves passing each other being your neck, with the ends dangling down in front.

    @Deborah: Crayon barf–that’s it exactly! :)

  7. Ginaon 04 Nov 2009 at 4:20 pm

    Love how this looks. I think I might try it in the recycled silk sari yarn!

  8. JDon 04 Nov 2009 at 8:12 pm

    LOL, this explains the jump in my blog hits! Thanks, friend! I think your Baktus looks beautiful, I can see the colors criss-crossing as they’re wound around. I’m just about to wrap up my third one, too! Easy, beautiful, and useful holiday gifts, no?

    Thanks for the reminder to ask my BFF if she ever wears those socks I knit out of Koigu. (If not, maybe I’ll turn them into a Baktus for her!)

  9. Marshaon 04 Nov 2009 at 10:39 pm

    @Gina: I can’t wait to see it in the sari yarn. I bet it will be stunning.
    .
    @JD: Thanks! It is such a nice project–thanks for introducing me to it!