Oddly shaped January 2, 2008
Some of my swatches—honestly, this actually applies to most of my swatches—turn out to be shaped rather oddly.
I spent rather a lot of time yesterday knitting swatches, and trying to figure out what to do next. Mostly I knit half way through something then I’d pull it out. This one got a little farther. I actually bound off and blocked it.
Based on what I saw, this afternoon I knit another swatch (sorry, you don’t get to see this one), then stopped dead in my tracks. What I need to do is so simple! Honestly. Like Dave says, I do often make things much harder than they should be. I inserted a lifeline (one row too late—arg), blocked and measured one side of the shawl so that I could get a reasonable idea of how big it is so far, and charted out my next step.
You can see the end of my too-short lifeline sailing across the top of the knitting.
Calling all test knitters! I’m once again looking for volunteers to test knit a shawl for me. This one’s a triangle. You’ll need to be comfortable with picking up stitches from knit edges, and knitting on borders. I won’t be able to give you anything, and you’ll need to provide your own yarn. I’m thinking that 900 yards of lace weight should be more than enough as I haven’t used up my first two-ounce ball yet, and I’m ready to start the border. I’m knitting my model with JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18, which is a fairly fine lace weight. I’m thinking of colors that remind you of spring flowers or new spring green; a hand-dyed yarn would be fine so long as the coloration is subtle. I’m using a size 5 (3.75mm) needle. You’ll obviously get the pattern free of charge. I’ll set up a private Google group like I did before, so that everyone will get all changes right away. Oh, and yes, this is the pattern. Lots of flowers and leaves.
I have my test knitters now. Thank you everyone!
Robin January 3
Very pretty Laura. No, sorry, not yet ready to test knit a lace shawl. Maybe that should be something new for this year. Last year I made it through socks, cables and tried my hand at entrelac. Maybe your next design, if it’s not too soon. Your designs are sooooo pretty.
Danielle from SW Missouri January 3
I to think this is a very pretty shaw. I”m not ready to test knit a shawl either but as Robin said maybe as a new challenge later this year :-)
Right now I’m still trying to master socks and Sweater type items.
Angelika January 5
Hello Laura, I’ve been checking up on your responses for a test knitter. What’s the deadline for this project and is gold-ish and ok color? I have a 1 1/2 lbs. cone of it which would be more than enough. So if you don’t find any other victims, send me a note. I could probably squeeze it in.