1 Down, 4 to Go

I finished the Flower Basket Shawl this weekend.  Here it is after blocking (from a slightly wierd angle):

I love it so much, I'm tempted to make all five shawls flower baskets.  But I won't.

Blocking is an amazing thing.  I've probably written about this before, but it never ceases to amaze me.  It's like magic.  You take a crumpled-up mess like this:

wet it, stretch it, pin it, let it dry, and presto!  When you take out the pins, it actually stays that way.  I had never used blocking wires before, but knew they would work well for the straight edge of this shawl.  Too cheap and impatient to order them from a knitting catalogue, I figured I could find something appropriate at Home Depot.  Problem was, I've never used blocking wires, so I didn't really know what kind of wire is typically used.  I ended up buying a coil of 22-gauge galvanized wire (you can see it in the bottom right corner of the blocked photo), straightening a length of it out as best I could, threading it through the edge, and then placing a few pins in the wired edge.  Worked like a charm.  And it only cost $2.88 instead of $20 plus shipping, which had been the cheapest I'd seen blocking wires going for.

I also finished my cloverleaf cable socks, which I am totally enchanted with:

Never 100% satisfied with my own designs on the first try, I'll say that were I to knit them again (and I might do just that), I'd probably make the leg part about 1" taller.  They're not too short, I just like my socks on the taller side, and the yarn (Cherry Tree Hill merino sock yarn) has generous yardage.

Must acquire more sock yarn, especially in solid colors.

Comments

[Emma]

I love the pattern. They look very soft and cushy. Good job!

[Danielle]

The shawl looks great! About the sock yarns ... I very much like Louet and Artyarns for solid (or near solid) socks. Although the Artyarns ultramerino 4 is not machine washable ...

[Theresa]

Maybe I'm late to the shawl party, but I'm a big fan of Fiddlesticks patterns, and they have a couple of triangular shawls (seems like you're doing all triangles, right?). I particularly like the Peacock Shawl. Also, Ene's scarf from Scarf Style. Took less than a week.

Does your sister know that it can SNOW in CT in October?

[Peeve]

That is a very cool sock design!

[heidi]

Hi,

I just joined the tudor roses knitalong planning to finally do the Katherine of Aragon. Now, since the original yarn is no longer available, I've been googling trying to find out what options other have used. Your Katherine is really beatiful,and I could read in your gallery that you used Jamieson spindrift, which is the yarn I would prefer to use.

Is there by any chance possible to get to know what colours you used for your Katherine?

TIA

[Karola]

Alison, i used that kind of wire from michael's for a hat i made for the crochet book that Debbie S did.. i got it in the flower section.. and it was 22.. i think i also only paid a few bucks for it.. yup maybe around 2$
really beautiful work.. one of these days i might actually get a shawl done.. started three of them.. can't remember what kinds of patterns i used.. but i think at least i kept a copy of it in the bags.. haha.. now i know to use the 22 gauge wire for it.. if and when i ever finish them.. very proud of you to do this for your sis:-) remember don't forget to get photos of you knitting at the wedding.. hee..hee.. must keep up the tradition.. got foot surgery done on thursday.. haven't been able to focus on even plain st st knitting.. yet.. maybe tomorrow.. i'm sort of groggy with this stupid meds i have to take.. i don't like meds.. wow i just looked out of the window here and there are the prettiest white puffs of cotton floating thru a very stunning blue sky.. i heard it was around 80 today.. i think i might need to put on the ac tomorrow.. ugh.. i hope i can at least crawl down the stairs and take a stroll outside.. with my luck it might rain.. haha.. hugs karola