Cherry Blossom Shawl

Blocking is magic!

Yay, it's done. I have to admit it's the first time I am blocking. I never made anything that couldn't get away without blocking. After this, I am sold! I mean, yes, blocking is necessary to bring out the beauty of mohair, but I am sure it'll just give everything else a better finish.


































The edging process: Since all 300+ stitches can fit in the 24in circular needle so I was too cheap to spend money on a longer one. Therefore the shawl looked like a huge fuzzy flower budd the time. When the edging started, it looked like a flower in bloom.














Below you can see the difference between knited edge and unfinished edge. The top is the unfinished side and the bottom is the finished edging. Isn't the difference like day and night?














4/15/06 Update

Okay, edging is harder then I thought. Maybe because it's the first time for me to be doing edging. Maybe it's also because I got so good (and fast) at doing the Chart C repeats (had to do 12 time!) so switching to edging is a big pace change. I just need to tell myself to be patient and stick with it. I only have to go around the shawl once, not 12x6=72 rounds like Chart C.

Hopefully I can block it soon and finish it in time for the oakland conference...

I am in my own heaven right now. Knitting while listening to Met Opera's live broadcast. One of my favorite tenor, Juan Diego Florez, is performing. During intermission they are talking about wonderful historic recordings, live and studio, and comparing them. The only thing that can make this more perfect is if it's all taking place in my own condo in the village (there's only one village for me, the one in NY) while dog-sitting Lily and Petunia.

03/06/2006 Update

The Cheery Blossom Shawl from the Interweave Knits Spring 2002. The center start is just not very good. I try the crochet start in Kinzel book, but the needles just got a bit twisted. This was also before Lew showed us how to do a good start at Stitches West. I wanted to be working on this shawl at Stitches since we'll be helping at Lacy Knitter's Guild. Good thing it's mohair so the center will be fuzzy.

Start Date: Two weeks before Stitches West
Yarn and needle: patterned called for.

Just moved it from dpn to circular. I didn't have the 16" and was too edger to move to circular so for a while I was knittin on the 24" and one dpn.














Finished the chart B repeats.














Now it's time to do chart C 12 tmes! I think we are half way done now. 6 more repeats to go.














Close up of the pattern. Looks okay. Blocking should make it prettier too.














Now I am taking a break. Learning and knitting socks! I know I need to get back to this...but...just let me get a pair of socks done....

Cascading Leave Socks

One sock done. I didn't start the second one until after the Cherry Blossom Shawl was finished. It only took about three days to do this first sock because it's the thicker medium weight.
















4/12/2006 Update

I couldn't wait to start another sock. I've been eyeing this color way before the first one was done. I winded it up in a ball and was all ready. It's a Sock that Rock yarn and let me tell you I did not know why people were crazy about this sock yarn until I started knitting it myself.















It's the medium weight Sock that Rock from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. They did not have many light weight sock yarn at Stitches West (problem with shipment, dye, etc). I really liked the color and went for it in the medium weight. The color on the lable is actually "Fred Flinston" but I did not like the image that name conjours up. So I've decided to rename it to "New England Autumn." My husband agrees it reminded him of autumn when I showed it to him and force him to tell me what he thinks of it.*

Which let me to think perhaps I'll use this yarn for the Cascading Leaves from the Jeanie Townsend. That way I will have the leaves in autumn! :-)















It's working out really well. I took Streets and YOs' advice and shifted the pattern so it matches up with the ribbing on top. It was her sock that inspired me to do this one.















I made another modification: I extended the pattern to the instep of the foot. I want more of the pattern. Not sure how comfortable it will feel but I am willing to sacrifice comfort for look. Now I just need to cross my finger hoping I have enough yarn...

* Poor husband is constantly bothered by me seeking opinion on knitting which he understands as "it's like zero's and one's." That's how I explained it in the computer terms so he can understand better.

My first sock!

Finished! I think they are the first Finished Object that's for me! I've been knitting for five years and I haven't knitted for myself yet. Well, I did try to make the leg warmers for me but they are too itchy for my skin, so that doesn't count.















They keep my feet nice and warm...

Pattern: Simple "Garter Rib" from Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Lornas Lace Shepherd Sock custom color for Purl
Needle: 2.5mm Susanne's ebony dpn

Notes: The Susanne's ebony needle is so beautiful, however it has more friction then the Lantern Moon ones. It was a bit hard to get the stitches to slide. Plus I am a tight knitter so that doesn't help either.

Finally mastered Kitchener stiches, thanks to Pam's help! She patiently guided me through the first half of first sock. I was able to do the second sock myself but it took about three starts to get it right.

3/8/06 Update

Oh what a joyous moment? I finally started my sock knitting journey. The yarn is Lorna's Lace from Purl's Custom Color an I am just doing a simple stitch so it doesn't compete with the yarn color.















Of course this means I am not touching the other projects at ALL ....