...no, not that kind of proposition :)
I’ve kind of reached a decision on the Entrelac triangle shawl thing :) I know what I want to do - or at least try to do but I won’t be able to start it until I order the yarn (and it arrives, natch!) - and it will be another week or so before I can do that. In a way this is good because I haven’t settled on a stitch pattern and keep trying different things and wondering. In another way, of course, it’s maddening because I’ve got this nifty idea and I’d like to get to work on it now!
I go back and forth on the yarn but the only real issue is gauge and, since this is a shawl, gauge doesn’t really signify :) The initial experiment was done with DK weight yarn on size 8 US (5 mm) needles and looked, I thought, pretty decent. I worked another swatch in worsted weight on size 9 US (5.5 mm) needles and that came out pretty well too. I suppose if a spectacular sport weight came along at an unbeatable price, I would work it up on size 7 US (4.5 mm) needles and see how that went but I’m not interested in things getting any smaller than that. I intend for this to be a big shawl and would like to be able to wear it sometime this century :)
In the meantime, my fingers keep nudging me about doing some entrelac and I think I’ve finally figured out how to handle that. I mean, I was going to have to do something - I’d like to get the mate for the Leaves and Vines sock done too and I don’t want my hind-brain whining about entrelac when I’m trying to focus on socks!
So last night, I started a stole. I’m hoping this project will do a couple of things.
1. It will give me some entrelac to play with for a while.
2. It will use up a collection of stash yarns in related shades.
3. It will enable me to test stitch patterns.
4. It will give my Zen Garden Stole a chance to rest and relax after being pressed into use almost every day for the last few years as my default shawl.
5. It will be fun :)
The plan right now, is to try out a different stitch pattern for each tier of blocks (there will be three blocks per tier, 25 stitches wide). Each block will consist of the stitch pattern (in however many repeats are required) plus side borders. I’m considering top and bottom borders too because if these are all lace patterns and panels, things could get very visually confusing. The borders, I think, would help alleviate that problem. Colors will range from light at the ends to dark in the middle. I have a moderate amount of light yarn, a lot of the medium tone and only a little of the dark. It will be interesting to see if I can balance this so that it is pleasing to the eye.
And that’s really it. I’m raring to get going on this because I’ve been caught on the Entrelac hook since I first started thinking about the possibility of a triangle shawl. Now I’ve got something to work on while I mull over the colors and weights for the larger project!
I have actually started the second Leaves and Vines sock and am about halfway down the leg. This has been a seriously gratifying project and I am enjoying working on it and am going to really enjoy wearing these puppies! I have also been in the dye pot again but as the yarn is still wet, that post will have to wait until Monday :)
On to the proposition :)
For some time now, I have been mulling over the possibility of adding another time spot to the Knitting Chatters chat room. Not changing, you understand, but adding another instance on another day and time so that maybe those for whom Thursday night from 8-11 PM isn’t convenient might have the option of joining the fun too. If this has any appeal, please let me know - and let me know what day(s) and times would be optimum!
Okay, I’m off to work on my new stole :) Have a great weekend everyone - stay warm, stay safe!
No trackbacks yet.
Oh, yes, please! I miss you guys…
Um, Monday and Tuesday evenings are best for me, so the timing is right, it’s just the night that causes me difficulty…
Sorry I missed Chatters last night. I wanted to be there but it just didn’t work out. Your shawl pattern idea and the stole idea both sound wonderful! Right now, I’m just keeping my fingers busy, no inspiration for original stuff at all!
As for another night of Chatters, I’d love it! For me, pretty much any time works, but if I go by the tv listings, Monday’s best. There’s not much on the tube on Monday night. Terrible, isn’t it, to be so ruled by that tube. I’m not really. It’s just that I often knit in front of the tv and if there’s nothing remotely interesting, I don’t get much knitting done. :)
Colleen - I wasn’t so much thinking of another night as a possible daytime or weekend slot. On the other hand, if Thursday is an issue for a lot of folks, it’s possible that might change - that being something to address after the set up of an additional chat instance.
Ev - Thanks for the encouragement about the Entrelac; I’m excited to move forward with this project and it’s comforting to know it sounds like an interesting idea to someone else as well :)
yes, anytime I could participate over the weekend would be great for me!
Nat - The weekend is a possibility. It would have to be Sunday, but I don’t think that would be much of a problem :)
early friday my time just doesn’t seem to be working at the moment ... as you would know seeing I haven’t joined you for at least a month :] but I live in hope that you’ll pick a time that does work :]
Susan - We’ll see what we can do :)
I have a question about the Zen Garden Stole. How do you make the stiped pattern consistent? I mean… I have worked with Noro Kureyon on other projects and I have always had a very pleasant striped effect, but never such long stretches all of one color… Did you knit using several skeins at the time? I love reading your blog. And I too hate the “wasted” time between when I order wool on line and it arrives.. :o)
Hi Laura :) The stole was made out of Slk Garden and as I had never used a self-striping yarn before, I just joined each ball as I ran out of yarn in the previous one. I believe I first looked to see if I had a new ball that started with the color the old one ended with but nothing more complicated than that.
I’m glad to hear that you enjoy the blog - thanks for commenting!
