Wednesday, September 05, 2007

WIP of the Week - The Story of the Shawls

Pea and I are going on a cruise in November. For some reason, I got obsessed with the thought of knitting a neutral colored lace shawl to wear. I tried to talk myself out of it, because I've got plenty of other projects I need to finish up. But I kept thinking about a new shawl. Before I knew it, I was cruising (no pun intended) Ravelry for shawl patterns. And I become fixated on a shawl I've considered time and time again. The Casino Shawl. Before you could say "last call for all bets" I had ordered, downloaded and printed the pattern.

Then I read it. And promptly decided it was far to complicated for my second lace shawl project. (When I say "second lace shawl project" I'm ignoring the half of the Mystery Stole I knit.) I turned back to my Ravelry queue and decided to cast on for The Snowdrop Shawl instead. I began it knit and very quickly I had this.
And it's a pretty start. In fact, it's very pretty. But I didn't love it. I kept thinking about the Casino Shawl. I looked at the pattern again and started to think that it would have all made more sense when I had the needles and yarn in my hand. Maybe I could have managed it. That's when Pea said "You really haven't gotten that far, I think you should just rip it out and knit the other one.". This was wonderful advice . . . . except that it forced me to admit to him that I had a whole other skein of yarn that was earmarked for the Casino Shawl. (Not that he doesn't fully understand the sheer volume of my stash, but I do try to avoid reminding him of it!) So, Snowdrop when onto a waste-yarn stitch-holder and Casino was cast on. All 305 provisional stitches. And I've made it through the first 8 rows . . . but only with complete silence, bright light, undivided attention, the tinking of almost one full row, and one improvisational fix for an extra stitch that came out of no where.

Okay, okay, not much to look at in that picture. It's just a bunch of off-white ruffle on the green provisional cast-on yarn. Let's pin it out and see what we have.

The beginnings for some Spades. Yes, many, many hours in complete silence and that's all I have to show for it. I keep reminding myself that this is probably the hardest and longest part. The triangle is getting smaller with each row, so by the end I will be zipping along. At least, that's what I keep telling myself . . . .

20 comments:

Jenn said...

That is the best kind of triangle shawl - the kind that gets smaller, not larger! Good luck!

sharon said...

Good job on the cast on anyways - I hate the ones that increase so you've picked the easier way to go!!

~Kristie said...

Am I the only one that can't view the photos? I don't understand ... I've got the fastest internet in town and I'm even using Mozilla. I want to see the shawls!!

Well, I wish you the best of luck on your shawl (you don't need it) and sure wish we were cruisin' together in November. Where are you cruising to? What ship? I want details woman!!

Jennifer said...

I bought the casino shawl with high hopes too, and then saw those instructions. Wowza! I like your choice.

jessica said...

I'm a bit intimadated by lace... your start looks promising:O) Can't wait to see your progress!

Joe and I went on a cruise for our honey moon, it was so much fun Its deffinetly on my to do list in 10 or so years, i don't think it would pay when the kidos are little! Maybe by then I won't be afraid of lace;O)

Zonda said...

Go you!! Hang in there! You can do it! :) I'll be your cheerleader...well one of many ;)

Anonymous said...

You'll be fine and you've got to love a shawl that gets smaller instead of larger. I'm sure it'll will be beautiful and will the perfect shawl to wear on your cruise.

Wannabe said...

OOO, where are you going on your cruise Kar? Now you know you have to make something for Pete too. :)

You are sooo brave with those shawls. I cast on for Melody which is plain lace in stockinette in the round and I almost killed someone. BAH! Lace is not my bff. But I'm determined to make the Lace Leaf someday so this is good practice just knitting with fine, fine yarn.

Anonymous said...

Oh, you are brave and it is lovely!

knitspot anne said...

it looks great! and you are right . . this is the hardest part. once you learn the pattern and the rows start to get smaller, you'll enjoy it!
it's definitely challenging but you seem to be up to it!

Anonymous said...

OOooh, I'm anxious to see it grow! - or shrink?, since it gets smaller as you go :o)

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Karen I can SO relate to your post. But I think in the end doing he project you really want will pay off!

Kristin said...

I can't wait to see how the shawl progresses! It is so pretty!

Ragan Knits etc... said...

OOoooooo...they will BOTH be lovely! It must be great to have a stash like that!!! Yarn for both set aside...hurray for that stash.
I cannot wait to see the finished picture. :-)

cpurl17 said...

whoo hoo! Can't wait to see the shawl.

I'm joining the cheerleading squad. "Karen, Karen she's our gal, She can knit and she can purl!"

Anonymous said...

Your start looks very promising indeed - and I'm totally sure that you won't have any problems whatsoever with the pattern, you'll be doing just fine! Looking forward to seeing more of it!

Alisha said...

That is going to be one beautiful "cruise" shawl!!!

Ariel said...

I think it's great that you're challenging yourself with this shawl. And it will be so beautiful and worth it when you're done. And you'll be so proud of yourself! I've been trying to talk myself into a (for me) challenging knit, so you've inspired me. Hedera will be mine.

Olga said...

You just keep plugging away, Karen! I think lace instructions or charts look intimidating until you actually sit down and work them. I think you'll do just fine.

Sonya said...

Gotta knit what you love. It's going to be a lovely shawl. I'm amazed at the idea of casting on 305 provisional stitches!

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