Games Completed

I finished my project for the Ravellenic Games.

It took way longer than expected and I had to knit without end last weekend, but I finished before the Olympic closing ceremonies aired in Illinois.

I spent a lot of time on this Color Affection shawl and in the end, I am not sure I am totally happy with it.  I like the colors. I like the shape.  Over all it is beautiful and represents things I love: (1) a challenge and (2) something big made from little yarn.  I used sock yarn for this shawl. There is also a lace weight yarn option of this pattern and I am so glad I went with the thicker, yet still fine, option.

I just don't like the three-color-change-edge section.  As you might be able to see in the photo (yarn photography is something I definitely need to work on) there is a section of stripes that are orange, gray and teal.  It is just too tight there and so it does not lay right.  I have read comments about this pattern on Ravelry and found that some knitters rip out and redo that section to make sure that the edge is not so very tight.  I am not a masochist and will not be doing that.  I am on to bigger and better things.

As I age (I know I am still young at 30, but I am starting to gain some perspective), I realize that I cannot focus on all the things that are not perfect.  The shawl is not perfect and as I think about it, it really shouldn't be.  Handmade things are not made to be perfect, they are made to be made.  Made to show love and affection for a craft and for a person.  This shawl isn't perfect and that is what makes it handmade. It makes it good in its own right. Knitting is a great teacher; it is unbiased in how it can be a total jerk to those that do it and still we love it and take on the next project, learning a new skill and moving on.

I did learn a new bind-off with this shawl.  I have never really liked how tight my bind-off edge is on any project.  I can always tell the bind-off edge.  Maybe others can't, but I can.  I can always see the flaws in my work (I am working on not focusing on flaws, I really am). I tried a new bind-off where I knit two into the backloop and then place the stitch back on the left needle and knit two through the backloop again, over and over until all stitches are worked. I think found my new standard bind-off, which is pretty exciting.  I have been knitting about 5 years with the same bind-off. So out of a project that has a bit of an issue, I still learned something new tath is going to totally revamp my knitting in the future. Positives abound when you look for them.

I am also thinking I may need to change my color scheme....

I am now working on something new and exciting, but more on that later.
   

Snow Day

Tuesday was a snow day...after 9 am anyway.  That is when the college closed, after D and I had made our way through the snow and wind to get there by 7 am (near white out conditions and the snow plows came in right after I parked).  D was confused on why we went to school at all, I think we are all a bit confused on that one.  

I'm not sure on the accumulation   We got snow, then rain, then more snow.  Plus the temp was about  30-34 degrees so a lot melted into slush.  Boy, do we have slush.  It was the wind and the yucky roads that caused the snow day, not the amount of snow.

Not to let a good snow day go to waste with cleaning and chores, I settled down in the recliner, started a Harry Potter movie marathon and knit.

I started my Saroyan wrap during Thanksgiving break. (How I knit anything that weekend, I am not sure.  I just remember feeling so sick.  I am so glad I am over that stage of my pregnancy.) I had new determination to finish that thing.  It had been on the needles too long and I did finish it during Chamber of Secrets.

It still needs some serious blocking, but D decided to model it for me.

She's a natural.

The yarn is Malabrigo (100% Merino) color 176 Loro barranquero.  It was a joy to knit with.  I hope to use this yarn in many more future projects.  Maybe a nice cardigan for myself this fall?

I also knit two dishcloths, which D is claiming for her kitchen center.  She thinks everything is for her, poor only-child-syndromed girl.  A rude awakening is coming and she knows it, but I don't think she really comprehends.

Now I have to figure out what to make next.  Any suggestions?

Wingspan, again

I have some knitting goals for the year.  I seem to base my life off of goals.  I guess I am just a goal orientated person.  Anyway, my local yarn store created a series of  challenges and I am going to complete those challenges.  To complete the challenges I have to make 9 different projects or 9 different techniques from assigned categories.  I am making new items I would have never made before which, I guess, is what a challenge is all about. 

My new favorite project is the shawl.  I don't know anyone who wears shawls, but there are some great and beautiful knitting patterns for shawls.

This is my Wingspan. 

The pattern uses short rows to make the triangles. (This project counts for a shawl and short rows in the challenges. I love double dipping!)  It looks complicated, but it is so easy.  I had the pattern memorized immediately.  I didn't even need to use stitch markers.

I loved the yarn too.  It is Rhythm by Jojoland in Aquarius.  It is a very nice yarn to work with and the color change is pretty amazing.  It is superwash wool so, it has less problems with washing than regular 100% wool since it can be machine washed.

This is the second Wingspan I have made.  My first one turned out more like a small scarf or neckerchief.  I made some adjustments and this one came out just right.  I may have to make this shawl again and again, maybe with sock yarn (you know how I suddenly love knitting big things with small yarn and tiny needles).

This project has brought me in to the realm of shawl knitting.  I already love knitting scarves so, this was an easy jump.  I am now finding so many great shawl patterns (including this TARDIS one).  They call me like a siren.  But now, who will wear these shawls?  I don't know anyone who does.  Maybe I need to start wearing shawls to complete the librarian look? This is the perfect case for me to start selling items because, I want to make them, but not wear them. (Okay, so I would wear the TARDIS shawl, I mean who wouldn't.)  

What are your feelings on shawls?