See that button in the sidebar for the Hidcote Garden Shawl KAL? Yeah, I signed up. Like I need an excuse to knit lace. But I did need an excuse to knit one of Miriam's shawls. I did start the one in IK (was that Icarus? My mind is going gone.), but an infelicitous combination of yarn and pattern caused me to frog it all out. But I kinda liked this shawl pattern, so I jumped in. The KAL officially started 1/1/07, but I was too anxious to wait. I've knitted the first chart and am about half-way through the second chart, thus:
I'm using yarn from my stash. It's a lace-weight linen from Habu. This is my first experience knitting with linen. It's... interesting. You need to keep your tension a little tight to keep your sts fairly even. I'm normally a loose knitter, so this means I have to pay a bit more attention than usual. But it's fine so far.
I got a gift certificate to the Needlenook from my DH for Christmas, and it was burning a hole in my pocket. So on Saturday I had to toddle down there and find something to spend it on. After going round and round between the Alpaca Fino, some Noro Kureyon that I really couldn't afford, the Zephyr, and various other things, I settled on this:
It's 550 yds of Blue Heron rayon yarn with a metallic thread. Just looking at it made me happy. I am such a magpie -- sparkly shiny things draw me like a magnet draws iron. And after looking around at various patterns, I settled on a very simple one from A Gathering Of Lace:
You start at one side, gradually increase till you've used half your yarn, then decrease back down to the other side. Sweet! The rayon is fairly heavy and drapey, and I like it very much. I actually sat down last night with the ball of yarn on a scale and unwound half of it and tied a marker on the yarn so I'd know when I got back there. Then much consternation ensued when I had to untangle the yarn I'd pulled off the ball. Multiple times. But I finished getting it wound back on the ball, and have been zipping along. Knitting on size 6 needles goes pretty quickly!
Oh, and that "Knit From Your Stash" stuff? I've been doing that for a bit. I don't get to buy yarn that often, so when I do get a chance to buy yarn, you betcher boots I'm gonna buy some. Yarn shop owners everywhere rejoice. Ha.
That sparkly yarn is soso pretty! I like shiny things too. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Carrie | January 02, 2007 at 08:38 AM
I'm in love with the purple yarn with shiny bits.. its gorgeous.
Posted by: Mouse | January 02, 2007 at 10:59 AM
What great projects to start the new year! I was going to knit lace this month, but decided I should work through my stash a bit first, and my non-lace projects are older than my lace ones, so they get to go first. I do like that sparkly yarn of yours.
Posted by: Jane | January 02, 2007 at 11:27 AM
These are both lovely...and, I love the colors you have chosen. I'll be interested to see the finished pieces posted.
Posted by: Holly Burnham | January 02, 2007 at 11:38 AM
I am also a sucker for sparkles. That will be gorgeous.
Posted by: Beth | January 02, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Oh such pretty yarns...both of them!
Posted by: Jen | January 02, 2007 at 12:30 PM
Ooh, I have some Alpafina (similar to your Alpaca Fino, I'm sure - from Webs, *cough* several years ago). One of my favorite shawl patterns is from here:
http://cdevine.typepad.com/photos/lace_work/rosetrellisl.html
Posted by: Caroline in NH | January 02, 2007 at 02:20 PM
Ooooo.... sparklies. I love the plummy color too! I like the shawl too - I'm sure it has an interesting texture. :)
Posted by: Allison | January 02, 2007 at 09:12 PM