Two completed projects

I finally got the Highland Triangle Shawl blocked. Isn't it amazing what blocking can do for wool? The points are pointy, the holes are open, and the whole thing is bigger. The drape is so much better. Yippee. She's stretched out above on our newly exposed wood floor. The flash makes the color wrong -- it is actually a darker blue, and the floor is actually a little more gold looking. The shawl is knit in KnitPicks merino (storm) on the size needles specified in the pattern. She measures 80 inches across, 50 inches from edge to point, and 60 inches on the angle, which is bigger than the pattern specifies.

I have also finished the gloves. They knit in leftover merino style from the pattern in Weekend Knitting. I found what I think are a few errors. Here is what I found, and how I "fixed" them:

• The index and ring finger patterns call for decreases in the tip of each fingers, which is fine and expected. However, starting with 15 stitches on the needles, I was supposed to knit two together around, and end with 12 stitches. Truly knitting 2 together to complete the round would yield 8 stitches. Instead, I interspersed 3 K2T while knitting the rest of the stitches = 12 stitches at the end of the round. I then continued on with the decreases as specified.
• When I finished the left glove, the index finger and middle finger were too long. I wish I had taken a picture because the glove looked a little deformed. I frogged back the decreases at the end of each finger and three rows of regular knitting. I then knit the decreases to finish the finger (in effect, making these two fingers three rows shorter than the pattern specifies). The other two fingers and thumb were fine as designed.
• I had some trouble with the directions for the right hand glove. The only described difference in the right and left gloves is the placement of the thumb (which was fine). The instructions are to knit the other fingers as for left hand (placing them in the correct order for the right hand). In order to make this work, I joined the yarn at the base of each finger on the back of the hand instead of on the palm, as described for the left hand.

I had to come back and stitch closed a few holes at the bases of the fingers. Maybe with the next pair I will be able to avoid these holes. I also noticed something that looks like a seam in the garter stitch cuff where I changed from purl to knit and back again. Springy seems to be having the same problem.

Highland Triangle Shawl Hints

In order to always know where I was in the pattern, I used an excel spread sheet with row numbers and the number of stitches in each row. I had the spread sheet laminated and then marked off each box as I completed a row instead of using a row counter. I used two spread sheets: middle section and edging.

When doing the lace pattern, be aware that Row 1 and Row 2, as written in the directions, are rows 1 and 2 of the chart.

When working the edging, be aware that there are always just two stitches between the center markers. The YO at the corner are on the outside of the markers.

I used markers throughout the knitting of the center and edging. It takes some work to place the markers correctly so that the decreases do not displace the markers. Using markers really helped me to know if my stitch count was correct.

I checked the stitch count often -- sometimes at the end of each row -- to try to catch mistakes early.

Be sure to follow directions and "bind off loosely" at the end so that the shawl will block nicely.

For all posts relating to this shawl, go to this link.

(Post recovered and added from old SandpiperKnits website, which is now closed (due to Geocities stopping free web pages).

Folk Shawl Finished

My Highland Triangle Shawl is finished. I haven't blocked her yet, but she is done. I stayed up late at night to finish it off. You know that feeling when you get close to the end of something -- it just must be finished.

Edging close to the Finish Line

I've started -- actually I'm 2/3 done with -- the edging for the Highland triangle shawl. I stopped by my LYS and bought a new set of short, straight needles to use on the edging. I figured the cable on the circular ones would become annoying knitting just 9 stitches (at the most). The LYS owner recommended Balene straight needles from Boye. Here is the point close up. I like it. These needles have a certain flexiblility that I've never had in needles before.

As I mentioned, I've done alot of the edging. Here is a photo of that:

Knit knit knit

No really interesting pictures to post. Everything just keeps getting bigger. I have three more rows on the inner boarder of the Highland Triangle Shawl. I think I'm going to like this one. Have you noticed that if you are working on more than one project, that it seems like FOREVER until you finish one? I've put aside the Mystery Shawl until I can finish the Highland Triangle -- time to focus. The Edgar scarf is my "knit at lunch" knitting and my "knit during my son's tennis game" knitting. Highland stays at home for TV knitting. She's getting awfully large to travel.

I'm working on a web page to parallel this blog. Two projects are already detailed on the web page -- clapotis and branching out. You can reach them from the sidebar. I really like finding information on projects on the web, so I thought I would add my 2 cents worth.

I've also applied to the Knitting Scientists Blog Ring. It looks interesting. I'm a Research Associate in a diabetes research lab. Sometimes I think knitting and scientific thought are different parts of the brain, but I like the dichotomy. Life at work is kind of busy right now -- we're putting together an NIH grant -- due October 1. I can't wait until October 2.

A year ago we were in Lisbon, Portugal for the International Congress on Endocrinology, so I thought I would share a photo to commemorate the trip. This is the Tower of Belem.

Storm Merino style

Isn't it interesting how color monitors and different cameras and who knows what can change the color of yarn? This is the color of yarn I ordered for my Highland Triangle Shawl. It's Merino style and is the color storm. This kind of looks like the color I received (this picture is from the Knitpicks web page.) On the web it looks lighter than in the catalog. The pictures of the shawl in progress I've put on the blog are a different color completely. I think the one from Knitpicks is probably closer to the actual color of the shawl, but really, neither are exactly right. And I was actually hoping for something darker.

I have TONS of yarn available right here at my desktop, but I can't see its real color or feel it. Oh, well, I order it anyway. I do like this yarn. It is knitting up very nicely. No yarn "vomit" as I use the skeins. Only a very few knots.

All in all...progress

I'm making progress on both shawls. First, the mystery shawl. I am working my way through clue 2. Here it is at the end of clue 1 (the first time). I say "the first time" because, several rows into clue 2 I realized that I had made an awful mistake. Somewhere I had done two purl rows. The effect of this was to reverse the shawl, making the front the back and the back the front. If that makes any sense. See those white lines on the shawl? Those are lifelines, and thank goodness for them. I ripped back to the lineline between clue 1 and 2, and started clue 2 again. All is back in place, and I have moved on.

On the Highland Triangle Shawl front. I am working now on the edging. Once I got the pattern established, it has gone very well. I'm anxious to finish this one. I can't wait to snuggle with it.

I mentioned earlier that we dog-sat last weekend. Our beagle, and our neighbor beagle puppy took some time getting used to each other. Molly, our dog, is very calm -- not aggressive at all. She mainly just ran from the little eight week old puppy. Finally, Molly would have enough, turn around and BARK. Precious (the neighbor dog) would run and hide behind one of us.

Below is a photo of my latest stash enhancements. We went to Lexington this weekend. I purchased some Berroco Softwist, in color 9429, which doesn't seem to be on their web page. Discontinued? I bought it to go with Plymouth Firenze in color 438. I also picked up two skeins of green sock yarn -- Fortissima Socka in color 1092. Fun shopping trip.

If you are looking for some funny or intestesting blog entries to read, try the Yarn Harlot's description of her book tour in Vancover and Edmonton. Hilarious. Want to try beads and knitting? Take a look at this interesting tutorial. I bought the crochet hooks to give this a try.

Two major projects -- Why oh why?

I currently have two major (knitting) projects on the needles. First, the Highland Triangle Shawl. Yes, I finished the middle section. Yes, that went well. I finally, after, I think three tries, picked up the right amount of stitches to knit on the edges. I knit the eyelet section -- OK -- then on to the lace edging. I knit four rows. I unkit the fourth row, a few times. I reknit. I am now unknitting, trying to get the stitch count right. I thought the stitch count WAS right. Apparently not. But I am determined to get this right. And once I do, I'm adding stitch markers between every two repeats. (I actually had them in, and then had to remove them as I unknit this last time.) I really feel like once I get this part in line, I will be off and running again.

The other project in the Mystery Shawl. It is in Maine Line 2/8 fingering weight, color claret. I love the color. It's a nice, dark burgandy. The first two clues have been released. I worked on the first one, thought I was doing well, but had to restart twice. I have now installed lifelines -- for the first time ever -- and ever since then, I haven't made mistakes. Well, what is insurance for if it is not for insuring that you don't make mistakes? Isn't that the umbrella and rain theory? The car wash and rain theory?

Anyway, we puppy-sat the neighbor's beagle this weekend, which didn't allow much knitting time. It's hard to concentrate on yarn overs and double-decreased when a little needle-teeth puppy is trying to devour your couch.

Most of my weekend knitting -- that I got in around the puppy -- was backward anyway. Tinking is not nearly as fun as knitting. And it is kind of discouraging to end the weekend with less completed project than you started with.

I'll post pictures.

Bigger and Bigger Triangle

The Highland Triangle Shawl is finally appearing to increase in size. Have you ever worked on something for a LOOOOONNGGG time and not seen it increase in size? Finally, I looked at it today, and said, "It looks bigger!" If all my tinked rows had actually been knit rows, I would probably have been done by now. I'm habitually counting each row now to make sure it is right. This doesn't keep me from making mistakes, but at least I catch them pretty early.

The texture is kind of interesting, and here is a close-up:

I found a couple of interesting blog entries today:

• This one in Mason Dixon Knitting from Kay, who says, "That's knitting; it's not for the stupid. It requires a constant, graceful kind of intelligence." I love that -- a constant, graceful kind of intelligence.
• Here's an interesting essay from Naive Knitting about "Why we choose the projects that we do."

Start on Shawl

I've started the Highland Triangle Shawl. I used a white "Word" screen to that the pattern could be sort of visible. It's too dark to take an outside picture. The color I'm using is darker that is looks here. At first, I was having trouble with the knit 2 togethers and the slip 2 together (as if to knit), knit 1, and pass the slipped stitches over -- difficult to manuveur. I think I've relaxed with the pattern, my tension is a little less stressed, and the stitches are easier to complete.


We've also started reading the new Harry Potter. DH reads outloud while the boys and I listen, so I started a simple HP scarf -- 1 x 1 ribbing in maroon and gold. The color here is a little bright, too.

I picked up a ball winder at AC Moore -- 40% off coupon -- yippee. I told DH that he would have to continue to the the swifty husband, since the swift was $60.

Finished Object and Stash Enhancement

Branching Out is finished and blocked. Final stats --> It took a little more than 1 skein of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in charcoal. I don't know how much more exactly because the I had already used a little of the first skein. I did 28 repeats of the lace pattern on size 8 (US) needles.

To see all posts related to Branching Out, click here.

On to stash enhancement and my next project:

My KnitPicks order came today. It includes the yarn in the photos below. First is 10 skeins of Merino Style in storm. I will use this for my next large project, which is the Highland Triangle Shawl from Folk Shawls. I also ordered five different skeins of Wool of the Andes in Stream, Winter Night, Cloud, Cranberry and Spruce. I picked up the Elizabeth I lace scarf patterns and two hanks of Alpaca Cloud in Midnight (my favorite of the lot) and Autumn. All yarns are yummy soft. My only problem with them is that they are generally lighter in color than I expected. It's really hard to tell on a computer monitor, isn't it?

I joined The Knitter's Guild of America today. I've been thinking about it for a while, and thought I would give it a try for a year.

KnitPicks Merino Style in Storm for Highland Triangle Shawl.