Discovery

New shawls begin where old ones leave off. I've begun the process of reclaiming the yarn from the All Shawl. I am so glad that the generous Ericka was willing to lend me her niddy noddy. I just could not imagine reclaiming almost 900 yards of yarn without the proper tool! This process is akin to ripping off a band-aid. It will hurt, but if you do it quickly it won't be too bad.

So, ripping away! Having never used a niddy noddy before I have made a pleasant discovery. I knew this tool would make an arduous task go more quickly and easily. I had no idea the process would be down right meditative!

Yes, meditative. Rocking from foot to foot while manipulating the niddy noddy back and forth = blank mind. No thoughts, just action. It is quite restful. Right up until the moment my neck muscles remind me I am holding my arms in the air bearing weight at an angle that they are just not accustomed to. LOL

So, reclamation will occur in small spurts of meditative bliss. I may just have to get me one of these!

Impatient

An impatient crocheter? Who, me? Yup! Couldn't wait to block one of the shawls...I love how the stitch pattern looks like little angels when it is stretched! Other proof of my impatience? I have completed two skeins and am most of the way through the third skein of yarn for Seraphina. I think the Harlot would certainly categorize me as a product stitcher. I want it. And - I want it now! LOL

Doings

School is over for the year! I am taking a class, however, I get to be the student now. It is a nice change of pace!

Also:

1. Shakespearean Seraphina Beginning, 2. Sereknity Wild Side, 3. Olde Peddler Shawl 3 feet, 4. Shawls Awaiting Blocking, 5. Ziggy Scarf #2, 6. Snuggle Precious in Pink, 7. WWKIP Raffle Winnings, 8. Long All Shawl

#1-3 are WIPS that are getting lots of attention

#4 are staring at me waiting their turn to be pinned to the carpet. Since the number of towels/pins and the amount of floor space I can do without is limited, they'll have to take turns.

#5 has been a long haul. I just couldn't seem to keep the tension even the second time around and had to keep frogging. One long sitting later and all that is left is some weaving in.

#6 if you guessed I need to weave in the ends, you are right! Other than that, this snuggle-which-was-almost-a-baby-blanket is ready to go.

#7 not a project you say? Au Contraire! There be planz to try this pattern again as a scarf instead of shawl (thinner yarn) and working each side until I run out of yarn.

#8 my beloved All Shawl which is simply the wrong shape and length for me so will soon be frogged. Sigh. This one may have to go back into the queue for some tweaking at a future date...


There is more to say about some of these, but you'll have to wait until the next post. Have a wonderful weekend!

Toast

Here's a toast to learning valuable lessons!

The shawl is dry and beautiful. Finished size is 24 inches at the back and the edging is holding its shape nicely. The color is marvelous. The corner stays on my shoulder when thrown (often a problem for me). It warm and enveloping like I wanted. So what is wrong?

A) It is too short. I now know that 25 inches would not have been long enough for a "full size" shawl for me.

B) The shape is far from flattering. I apparently need more angles. So, if I make another wedge construction shawl, I'll use a smaller gauge and fewer wedges so that the final shape will have clear angles at the bottom.

So, here's a toast to learning experiences. I'm going to reclaim the yarn. Maybe I'll use it for the Blue Curacao shawl and pray that it turns out to like me as much as I like it!

P.S. To all those in my "knitting" group, I promise not to frog it until you've had a chance to see it live and in person...

Fingers Crossed

This past week the incomparable Doris Chan posted a free pattern on her blog (and on Ravelry). By the end of the day on which I noticed it I'd purchased yarn and begun. Now it is blocking on my living room floor where I can admire it!

So, why are my fingers crossed? Well, I'm hoping that blocking will grow it a bit as I ran out of yarn. I actually left off the final round of edging rather than rip back. So, I'm also hoping that without the weight of the final round the edge will hold a pleasing shape.

Only time will tell...

If the edge looks O.K., but it doesn't naturally grow there will be a second blocking. That one will involve pinning to create the length. Or at least that's my thought. What do you think? I'd appreciate your input. =-)

WWKIP 2008

Did you have fun on Saturday? We did! And we raised almost $80 for charity to boot!

Anybody Hungry?

I cannot help but think of food every time someone mentions pineapples even though the crocheted variety isn't edible! The design is pretty; however, I just don't see the pineapple. Scales? Yes. Pineapple? No. It is the wrong shape! It appears I am not the only one to struggle with this. However, having fallen in love with the Blue Curacao Shawl by Doris Chan, I had to try to create a pineapple... This dishcloth design was just the thing! I used a hook one size larger than called for since I was testing to see if I'll be able to make the shawl. It worked beautifully. Now, to scout out the prefect yarn before I purchase the book. (Yes, that's right. All this planning and I do not yet own the book. I'm thinking if I can be patient enough, it might become one of my birthday presents this year.)