First up is my Christmas party wrap. It’s going to be 3 colors of Jaggerspun Zephyr. From bottom to top it’s Copper, Claret and Dianthus.
I really thought hard about the pattern I was going to use. I even bought the first 2 Barbara Walker books this weekend for inspiration. I also picked up the Charlotte’s Web pattern to see how it was constructed. I knew I wanted to knit it from center-top out so the colors could radiate. I played around charting variations of many of the patterns. One thing I did learn is that to keep the triangular shape of the shawl in this kind of pattern you need your repeat to be the same number of stitches wide as it is tall. So I knit up a few samples but nothing was really sticking.
When the yarn came I decided to just try something and see what I thought. I’ve started with the copper and here’s where I am.
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| can you recognize the pattern? |
After all that work, charting and knitting swatches I went with the Flower Basket Shawl from the latest Interweave. Thanks to Ricki and Oshun for suggesting it. I’m doing mine with a single strand (not doubled like the pattern states) on 3.25mm needles. I wanted it lighter and airier.
Long term Lace Project
I saw my mom this weekend and brought over “A Gathering of Lace” for her to look through. I thought she might like something in there. While I love the projects I think they’re a bit to heirloom-y for me to use. But certainly fun to knit! So I also cast on for hers, in classic ecru.It’s called the Shetland Tea Shawl and I’m making it in a 50/50 merino/silk blend. It’s very similar to Jaggerspun but it comes in 1,400 yard hanks. I don’t have the band here with me so I’ll tell you what it is on Monday.
But just to keep things interesting I’m frogging what I’ve done so far. I’m doing it on 2 circs and I’ve got ladders. I know exactly what caused it too. The yarn was getting caught on the join of the needle to the cable so I loosened up a bit. Guess I’ll just have to wrestle with it flowing over the join until it’s big enough to fit on one circ. I really don’t like DPNs anymore. I’m surprised the Addi’s are giving me such trouble though.
OK, hopefully the pics made up for no post yesterday. I should have told you all I wasn’t going to post. I had to go up to Boston for work yesterday so there was no time to post.
Oh, I did however get a chance to start a new sock on the plane! I’ve used a new (to me) cast on method and I’m trying a new heel. I’ll show you all next week when I get to the heel.
Enjoy your weekends! The weather around here is perfectly early autumn!
Was there no yarn shopping in Boston?
Your lacey projects look great! I lose desire to do lace when I get to k3tog… I just can’t do it smoothly and quickly, but it sure does look great when handknit lace is done.
did ya re-design your site? It’s kinda hard to read now cause its very wide if my browser is maximized.
You know, although I’m not really a shawl person, I think I’d like that flowerbasket pattern as a poncho…guess I’ll have to get that issue of IK after all, LOL…
Lovely color; so rich! Is that flower basket or the leaf lace below?
I have two flower basket shawls on the needles right now. I just LOVE that pattern! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!
The colors you’ve chosen are just lovely!
I’ve just finished one flower basket, and will do another. I love this pattern too !
Happy knitting, your color is really nice.
I love the Shetland Tea Shawl! I’ve made the feather and fan out of that book, mainly because I was dying to knit the huge flower in the center. Mine is cranberry red, and it’s beautiful. I’ve wanted to make the Tea shawl, but I don’t think I need 2 round lace shawls. Do you like the Frost Flowers and Leaves pattern? That’s another of my absolute favorites. That one doesn’t seem heirloom-y to me. Now I want to start it!
It is nice to see you make postings on this topic, I should book mark this site. Just keep up the good work.