Slowly, Slowly, Slowly Finishing...
As far as UFOs go I'd say I'm working pretty slowly, like the proverbial molasses in January, but I am actually making progress. I finally finished the last of the Forest superwash yarn so I guess that means I'm done the body of the fairisle capelet/poncho I'm making out of that sweater yoke. I didn't follow a pattern, I just increased every 3rd stitch every few inches. Then I switched to larger needles for the last 3 inches so the edge would be lighter/looser and not pull everything down from being heavy. I decided I would finish the edge with a very simple triangle lace in solid black. It's an edging from the book Stahman's Shawls and Scarves.
In my opinion, if you could only own ONE shawl book, this would be "it". Most of the designs are Faroese style so they are gently shaped around the shoulders instead of the beginner's flat triangle with two points that go on forever. The lace patterns are genuine classics and interchangeable. The lace edgings are also interchangeable, all designed to be knit on the edge. I mean you knit the lace horizontally and pick up one live stitch from the edge of the shawl every 2nd row and join using a K2 together. So simple!
The scarves in this book are all shaped Seaman scarves, too, not the usual "knit a long rectangle" type patterns you usually see so they drape comfortably around the neck without extra bulk. I heartily recommend this book for beginning lace knitters - there's so much information and illustrated techniques. The experienced lace knitter will also like it - all the patterns are charted and I would imagine once you've got the stitch pattern down the rest is elementary.
The other thing I like is that the simplicity of the edging I chose means it knits on very quickly. I'm starting to get that bogged down feeling with so many things sitting around partially done. I need to "finish something already" to get my equilibrium back and nothing boosts your knitting mojo like blocking a project! If it's possible to say, I have one regret in finishing this - and that is, that it's been a real "Zen" knit for me - zillions of stitches of stockingette in the round. I can watch a movie or hold a conversation and just knit away on it. I don't have anything in that category of UFOs once this is done and I'll miss that.... never mind, it's getting cooler at night and I'm starting to think of how much I'd like to wear that Luxury Cabled sweater and it will be rather chilly without sleeves so I'd better get at it.... LOL!! Cheers all!
In my opinion, if you could only own ONE shawl book, this would be "it". Most of the designs are Faroese style so they are gently shaped around the shoulders instead of the beginner's flat triangle with two points that go on forever. The lace patterns are genuine classics and interchangeable. The lace edgings are also interchangeable, all designed to be knit on the edge. I mean you knit the lace horizontally and pick up one live stitch from the edge of the shawl every 2nd row and join using a K2 together. So simple!
The scarves in this book are all shaped Seaman scarves, too, not the usual "knit a long rectangle" type patterns you usually see so they drape comfortably around the neck without extra bulk. I heartily recommend this book for beginning lace knitters - there's so much information and illustrated techniques. The experienced lace knitter will also like it - all the patterns are charted and I would imagine once you've got the stitch pattern down the rest is elementary.
The other thing I like is that the simplicity of the edging I chose means it knits on very quickly. I'm starting to get that bogged down feeling with so many things sitting around partially done. I need to "finish something already" to get my equilibrium back and nothing boosts your knitting mojo like blocking a project! If it's possible to say, I have one regret in finishing this - and that is, that it's been a real "Zen" knit for me - zillions of stitches of stockingette in the round. I can watch a movie or hold a conversation and just knit away on it. I don't have anything in that category of UFOs once this is done and I'll miss that.... never mind, it's getting cooler at night and I'm starting to think of how much I'd like to wear that Luxury Cabled sweater and it will be rather chilly without sleeves so I'd better get at it.... LOL!! Cheers all!
Posted by Gloria Patre at 9/11/2009 12:29 PM 
Categories: Shawls, Books
Tags: fairisle scarves shawls books capelet
Categories: Shawls, Books
Tags: fairisle scarves shawls books capelet
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