Improv knitting for my Make Nine stash-buster wrap

It's looking promising for a 9-for-9 completion rate for Make Nine 2020. This post documents the completion of my eighth finish—a yarn stash-buster knitting project. This is my Improv Garter Stitch wrap.

Knit wrap in garter stitch.

This making process spanned nearly the full year. It was started in January with a rough sketch and the "weave in the ends" step happened November 22, 2020. 

Garter Stitch wrap. Knit improvisationally with random stripes.
Finished size: 59" x 24"

Project parameters

For this Make Nine project, I wanted an easy, relaxing knit. Something that I could pick up at any time and just enjoy the knitting process—no challenging pattern to follow, no stitch counting, no repeated motifs to track. 

I chose "good ol' garter stitch." Garter stitch makes a stable, reversible fabric with no fuss. To use up stash leftover bits and balls of yarn, I incorporated randomly-placed stripes—to add interest to the design and the knitting. Below is a sketch/road map I did to determine an approximate size. After swatching (4 stitches per inch on size 5 needles), I had an idea for the number of stitches to cast on.

Wrap diagram.

To allow for the stripes to go in different directions, I used the log cabin technique to pick up stitches and knit in another direction. A little bit "Mondrian" with the dark outlines and boxes of color and a nod to a Hudson Bay blanket's stripes.

Here is the remainder of the ball when I decided to call it "finished."

The bind-off with just a wee bit of yarn remaining.

Make Nine 2020 stash-buster knit wrap.

Project stats

Yarn: Fibra Natura Heaven [Universal Yarn] from my yarn stash. Main color: chili pepper. 
Fiber Content: 50% Merino wool/50% silk. It has a light, springy feel but is quite warm.
Gauge: 4 sts/in on size 5 circular needle
Finished size: 24" x 59"; which was pretty close to the diagram.

Stan Leigh wanted to check it out while I was photographing.

I've been wearing this wrap a lot since it's been finished. I like the color, the weight and feel, and overall I'm very pleased with the end result. 

The silk fiber content makes this wrap light weight and drapey, but the wool makes it warm. Turns out it was a great yarn choice for a wrap!

Improv knit wrap is complete.

I'm sure another knit project will be on my Make Nine project list next year.