Leaf Lace photos

Here's the shawl pinned out and drying on my guest bed. I measured the length and width and the measurements match those of the large size given in the instructions -- so at least it isn't big in a totally unrealistic and silly way. Good thing I stopped at 10 repeats instead of doing all 12 as specified for the large size. :) I was aiming for something smaller but eh, I'll see how it fits when it's totally dry and ask for my mom's opinion at Thanksgiving too.

Anyhoo, this is a very easy shawl pattern. The cast on is the hardest part, it's a little tricky but anyone can do it. It all starts at the neck with just 2 sts: CO 2 sts using a provisional (temporary) cast on and then knit 7 rows on those 2 sts, pick up 3 stitches along the side of the 7 rows you just knit, then move the 2 CO sts to your left needle and knit those, for a total of 7 sts. This sets you up for the 1st row in Chart #1 and the rest is a breeze!

Leaf Lace Shawl crosses the finish line!

I finished grandma's shawl, that went faster than expected. Photos later, it has to be blocked first.

As I was working on it I kept thinking "I really should thread a lifeline here at some point" but never got around to it. Then on the cast off row (very last row) I yanked the shawl awkwardly and several stitches popped off the needle and downdowndown they dropped. Bwahahaha! I was determined to work the sts back up -- with the yarn overs in the right places too! -- and after about 45 minutes all the sts were settled in place. *whew*

My late night knitting sessions have been greatly enhanced by visits to the DVD section at the local library. I've had so much fun watching Hercule Poirot mysteries starring David Suchet and the other day I found the first Sharpe movie. I'll definitely be returning for more Sharpe, they should have the complete set. :) Sean Bean plays an officer in the British army during the Napoleonic wars and who cares about the silly electric guitar (huh?) that pops up in the soundtrack, Sean Bean makes up for that lapse. Oh I also checked out the Tales of the City mini-series last week and that was a lot of fun, why hasn't anyone ever told me to see that? I love the library.

Leaf Lace Shawl: the beginning

A few nights ago (10/19) I started the Leaf Lace Shawl from Fiber Trends and it's turning out better than I imagined. Love the leaves! It will most likely end up being a Christmas present for my grandma. I'd like to make another with laceweight yarn for my mom. For this version I'm using burgundy DK weight yarn purchased at a thrift store for a few bucks, so the pattern cost more than the yarn.

The pattern is written for any weight yarn and the charts are a cinch to read. The instructions are also written out long hand but I have no idea why anyone would follow the pattern that way when the charts make things so easy. A magnetic board helps me keep track of the row I'm working.