Wednesday, May 7, 2008

A New WIP


I am finally working on something that I can share as I progress. This rumpled little ball of knitting is the beginning of Meg Swansen's Super Spiral Shawl from A Gathering of Lace.
I am using this handspun yarn, and size 9 needles.
If you are familiar with this pattern you know that it gives directions for a solid version, and an alternate eyelet version for every other spiral. I am making the solid version, so the eyelets will only be between the spiral sections. I am hoping the whole thing will be translucent in the end, and I think it will be, once it is blocked.
This shawl will be a present for my sister Sherryl. I'm nearly certain she does not read this blog, and if she does she will just be surprised now, as opposed to later.
My sister, like most people in my family, is rather short. This is a wonderful thing for circular shawl making, as the shawl will be plenty big before I the rounds get so long they seem unbearable.
The last shawl I made was for my Sister-in-law, who is quite tall relative to my family, and I was quite concerned the shawl would be too small. At one point I actually ripped out the edging and knit out a few more inches. I was glad I did!
This shawl start with 8 sts, and increases by 8 sts every other row. Right now it's at 208 sts, and I think I will bring it to 440 before I start the bind off.
You can already get a good sense of the spiral forming.
In other knitting news, work on the secretive presents continues...slowly! I actually started the shawl to buffer my irritation with 2 of those projects.
One had to be frogged completely, as I noticed a glaring mistake about 50 rows down, and I couldn't go on.
The other is actually very close to completion, but I needed a break. I'm now working on it for about 20 minutes at a time. After today's 20 minutes it will be mainly finish work left. Perhaps you will get to see pictures soon.
This weekend is the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool festival. I plan to spend the day there on Saturday, and will get to spend time with Deb from The Irish Ewe. I can't wait!

5 comments:

Joansie said...

It's beautiful. She will enjoy it! Have fun at the festival and be sure to post pics of any additional stash.

Anonymous said...

I am ohhhing and ahhhing - that is just beautiful. Be sure to get a photo before you give it away!

Have fun at the festival. Whaaaa I wanna go too!

Lil Knitter said...

Oooohh...that's gonna be gorgeous!

And that crochet comment was SOOO not necessary. :P Unless you're gonna teach me how...I just gotta knit em.
I'm on bag #4 now so it's not too bad.

Hope you have a great time at the festival!
Hugs!

KnitWithTammy said...

Sheep and Wool festival - awesome!! and right on the heels of WEBS and the Yarn Harlot - too cool! More fun than most kids could ask for!!

Just don't forget to use your camera this weekend!!

Your shawl is off to a good start, can't wait to see more progress! Lucky ladies in your family!

LDSVenus said...

oooh, ooh, I have that book, so I don't have to run out and buy it ;P. Now all I have to do is go dig it out. You and Joansie always tempting me with things, sheesh.