This is the first project I have ever blocked, believe it or not. It has taken months to complete. And of course I finish it four and a half days before the Bar Exam. There's no inspiration like the deadline... Oh, whoops, wrong inspiration.But anyway.
Given that my mother has no interest whatsoever in my crafting ventures, there is no risk that she will read this, and therefore I can tell you: this is her sixtieth birthday present. I figured, I don't know what to get her. Anything you can buy doesn't really cut it. So I decided to put my little hands to work. I know you know, it's Fiber Trends' Leaf Lace Shawl. Yarn is Knitpicks' Shadow in Lost Lake. And a shout out to Olga, thank you Dearest, for telling me that it would grow when blocked. You know, it's the thing you don't believe until you've actually done it. I was kicking myself when it came off the needles because I thought it was too small, but a quick soak quickly changed that. Blocking was great; it felt like working with Silly Putty! The shawl is now 76" across. As you can tell, I used not only my blocking mat, but also some poster board I bought at A.C. Moore when I thought of making it myself. That was before a 50% off JoAnn coupon convinced me otherwise.
So there, a major project, done! I can't believe it. I'm really happy. I've begun work on a pair of Jaywalkers, which as it turns out is the project from hell. How do you figure out the right size? I have a huge heel/ankle area and the sock obviously has to clear it so I can pull it up my leg, but it can't be so big that it sags once it's cleared that hurdle. So I'm going to tinker with the pattern some. Size 1 needles are obviously too small for the body of the sock unless I'm willing to tack on a whole lotta stitches, and while I'm patient, I'm not that patient. Heck, have you ever knit socks with size 1 needles? I'm sure you have. It takes friggin' forever. So I've decided to tack on a few stitches and to increase the needle size once I get past the ribbing.
DF and I are excited - me more than him - because a pirate-themed bar and restaurant is opening in our area in about two weeks! It's called Piratz Tavern. We went past the site last night and peeked in on their patio, and they still have some work to do... But if they're busy beavers, I'm sure it will all be ready in time!
All right, gotta go. My conscience and my Bar prep books are whispering to me, "Claire... Claaaiiiiire..."
Knitro
4 comments:
I found that the best way to figure out your sock size is to measure around the circumference of your foot at the widest point (next to your ankle), subject 10% for some snugness and go from there. If you do go up a needle size, make sure that your stitches aren't too lose or you may wear through the sock more easily. I'm considering ripping my current sock for this very reason...blah.
Claire, the shawl is gorgeous!! I have never attempted lace like this - I am just too intimidated. Truly beautiful work! :)
Hurray! It's so, so beautiful! Congratulations, and your mother is just going to be verklempt over it. Glad the blocking advice helped!
Good luck with the jaywalkers as well...personally, I never jumped on that bandwagon, because I knit Broadripple from Knitty and loved it alot. The pattern's almost the same, but may provide a little more stretch.
That shawl is sooo beautiful!
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