knitting: October 2009 Archives

For the past couple months or so, ever since I finished my mother's shawl, this is what I've been working on. It's pretty much the only thing I'm working on right now (and I'm itching to get back to my spinning wheel!). I do love it, though, because the yarn feels really great to work with, and it's a lot of fun to watch it emerging.

PrairieHarpy wants to know more about knitting, as do others. So, let's start off with this . . . ask any questions you want about it in the comments section, and I'll work up responses to your questions. I'll even expound on one of my favorite techniques - steeking, and why it's nothing to be afraid of. How about it? Fire away!

Yeah, I know I'm about 3 months late, and I've had this sitting in ecto waiting to go out on the blog for the greater part of a month or so. Just when I was ready to expound on my Maryland State Fair entry, Life intervened in the form of a Red Light Runner who pushed my Saturn Astra into another car and thus rendered it all but inoperable. Grrrrrr. I escaped with barely a scratch to my knee. But hey, I'll get to bask in that New Car Smell very soon!

So. About this shawl. Mother wanted a handspun shawl, so I looked for a pattern that would do nicely. I love, love, love Ann Hanson's work, and when I saw her Maplewing pattern, I fell in love with it. I should warn you that if you plan to use it, you better use stitch markers to divide up the pattern repeat. And you will be knitting straight, with no decreases, for the first 15 rows or so, 522 stitches if you chose the smaller size.

But it's well worth it, as you can see.

Here's another view for your eyes to feast on, pinned out . . .

Oh, yes, Mother loves it!