Swatching July 7, 2008
Back in February 
I bribed my good friend Karen into driving to Santa Clara—she lives about an hour from there—to visit me since I was in town for Stitches West. The bribe was knitwear. I offered her a sweater, but when she saw my shawls she wanted a couple of those instead. She bought the yarn, lovely stuff from Yarn Place called Gentle, one a rich glorious red, the other a fabulous dark purple, a silk-cashmere blend that is incredibly soft, and has an amazing depth of color. My pictures here don’t do it justice. At all.
This weekend I finally grabbed a ball of yarn, then started digging through stitch pattern books and swatching.
And trying out bead colors.
I sent an email message off to Karen to see which beads she prefers: the black ones that stand out, or the red ones that add a more subtle texture. I’ll happily go with either one.
I’ve been wanting to knit triangular shawl lately, so this one will be a triangle. I made a small triangular swatch to make sure my basic idea would work. It seems that it will.
No final decisions have been made as to stitch patterns, stitch order, or so forth yet, though a very strong possibility exists that I’ve found my border stitch. It makes very nice points, doesn’t it? I really like the stitch in the photo below on the right, though it seems unlikely that it will make it into this particular shawl.
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Ugh.
I wish I weren’t so busy, didn’t have so many things going on, so that I could give you a better post. Hopefully soon. The June project is done, the new website nearly is. Hopefully things will start to settle down a bit, so I can get back in the groove. In the meantime, thank you for sticking with me. I hope you all had a fabulous holiday weekend. Ours was very quiet, except for the fireworks that people set off down below, which is the way we like our holidays. Quiet, safe, and sane.
Danielle from SW MO July 7
All 3 pictures of swatches are beautiful! I cant wait to see the finished product! I’m glad you also had a wonderful 4th! Most of my family got together for a cookout and fireworks and a good time was had by all :-)
~Kristie July 7
Sooooo beautiful! I love all the swatches you tested out, but I must admit I prefer the red beads.
Our 4th was quiet also. Hubby worked during the day and we just chilled out at home that evening. Nice and quiet and a safe distance away from the crowds. :-)
KarenJoSeattle July 7
At least you’re still blogging. I have to get back to posting very soon.
If you’re just soliciting the opinions of Karens in general (and the occasional Kristie), I’d say go with the red beads, but I doubt that will actually help.
OldGoodFriend Karen July 9
I agree. The red beads are a beautiful subtle touch. Go with those Laura.
I was in Monterey with family and old friends. Went to Pacific Grove for an oldfashioned parade then a town barbeque with band music. Fireworks just under the fog that night, topped off with a Guinness and deepfried artichoke hearts. yum.