Thursday, April 01, 2004

Meadow Flowers

To no one’s surprise (I’m sure) I started the “Meadow Flowers” shawl from Knitter’s Stash last night.  I was delighted to find (as per Elka’s comments on Tuesday’s post) that it is simple, pleasant to work and very lovely.

Meadow Flowers shawl in Sirdar Primavera DK, “Smoke Pink”

I’m liking that pattern and I’m liking this yarn.  Pink is not normally my color, but this really appealed to me; the cream/pink combination reminds me of roses.  So far, I’m finding it very cooperative to work with and the fabric is supple and soft.

Pattern close-up

This shawl has a knitted on border.  I’ve never tried that before and I’m trying not to over think it because I tend to scare myself out of trying things sometimes :) It’s simple enough and looks very nice.  As there’s a yarn-over near the beginning of each pattern row, there’s a nice lacey edge to the shawl that would make fringing a simple matter if I decided to finish it that way.  But I’m not really a fringe person - of course I’m not really a pink person either!  Actually, I like the knitted on edging and I’m pretty sure that’s what I’ll try when the time comes.

I’m working this on US 7 needles and, of course, I wanted to use circulars because shawls expand in width so much.  But these needles are a bit funky.

Strangely shaped circulars

The shank portion of the needle is quite short and this results in cramped fingers after a while.  Also, I think I’d like the fabric to be a little looser than it is now, bearing in mind that it is garter stitch and it will stretch.  I’m considering the possibility of starting over with my US 8 ebony circulars.  I haven’t gotten so far that beginning again would be particularly traumatic and it might be good for the shawl.  Obviously, I’ll work this out one way or the other before I go back to work on it today :)

Looking over Fluffy’s shoulder

He tells me there are days when he’s really happy to be an indoor kitty!

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1. Scarf is lovely, Robbyn!

   I never knew that the difference in the length of the needle could affect your hands. I’ll have to keep an eye on how if affects me, but if it does, then I’ll have to have an entire set of metal dpns, an entire set of bamboo dpns, an entire set of circular needles of all lengths with one needle-length, an entire set of circular needles of all lengths with a different needle length...argh!

   Posted by Ryan  on  04/01  at  11:33 AM
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2. Ryan - You say that like it’s a bad thing!  What’s the Duchess of Windsor quote about it not being possiblr to be too rich or too thin?  For us, it’s impossible to have too many needles or too much yarn!

   Posted by Robbyn  on  04/01  at  11:53 AM
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3. It IS a bad thing--when you can’t keep them all organized and end up with not just one, but TWO sets of everything, and moths and dust in your wallet.  :-)

   Posted by Ryan  on  04/01  at  11:58 AM
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4. There is an error in the pattern.  Not a big ack! type of error.  You are increasing to 181 sts[if going for same size shawl which fits my 8 yr old well and my ummm much larger than 8 not so well] The pattern states to end on 2nd row of flower repeat when you need to end on last row.  When you get there give me a buzz buzz buzz if need be.

   Posted by elka  on  04/01  at  04:12 PM
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5. Ryan - Two of everything sounds just about right :) And my wallet’s already so dusty, it keeps trying to climb under the bed with the bunnies :)

   Elka - Thanks so much for mentioning this!  I probably would have finished the flower pattern anyway, but I’m very grateful for the warning!

   Posted by Robbyn  on  04/01  at  04:32 PM
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6. YEAH! Another shawl devotee! Go you… yeah as far as the pink thing goes… I never liked pink or green, and these days I can’t get enough of em. Either, or, together or not, no diff. I love wearing these colours… but with the pink, I like those odd muted and mushroomy pinks. Yum. Or hot pink thrown in with my handpainted green and purple! You’re right, it does go with it quite, thanks for the feedback… funny how sometimes you come across interesting colour combos like that by accident, hmm?

   Posted by Monica  on  04/01  at  07:50 PM
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7. Hey Monica :) I love shawls, but at my age and girth, they tend to make me look somewhat grandmotherly.  Oh well - I guess there are worse ways to look!

   Posted by Robbyn  on  04/01  at  08:32 PM
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