The WIP stripey socks have been put away, ready for my next knitting lull. They have grown a bit and I’m still not sure if they are the second sock or not. My attention is elsewhere. I was just waiting for our postman to bring my new wool. Two hanks of beautiful KnitPicks merino wool.
I’d found the Simple Yarnover Shawl pattern and had images of a light floaty shawl. The wool arrived and I enthusiastically dived into the pattern. I started the shawl five times, as I couldn’t quite figure out the pattern. I’ve been knitting for 25 years. I’ve knitted cable jumpers, fairisle gloves, fancy socks, lacey cardigans……. I wasn’t going to let this shawl beat me. Finally, last night I had the Eureka moment and I am off! I can see the pattern growing. Judging by the comments for this pattern on Ravelry, I am not alone finding this pattern had to crack. It certainly helped reading other people’s experiences and seeing their finished shawls.
I haven’t knitted 2 ply for a long time. I’m finding the stitches are slipping off the needles more easily than the chunkier wool that I usually knit with. I’m wondering if I need knitting needles made of something less shiny. Maybe bamboo or wood.
Book-wise, I’m still reading The Help. My copy is accompanying me everywhere, in the hope that I can fit another few pages in, while waiting to pick up one of the children. I groan every time the chapters shift focus from one character to the another, just as their story line is getting really interesting. A good read, for sure.
This book is best read while eating lemon biscuits, I find. Unfortunately, it is only possible to photograph lemon biscuit before they are baked. Magically, the golden-brown baked versions disappear before a camera can be pointed at them.
I’m linking up. For more book recommendations and knitting inspiration, hop on over to Ginny’s Wednesday Yarn-Along. I love Wednesdays.
Love the laey pattern of your new shawl 🙂 That is going to be so pretty! Your lemon biscuits look delicious to 🙂
The colour of the wool is slightly varied, so I’m hoping with the lace, it will look quite organic and flowing. The lemon biscuits were yum. They are my “I’ve got no eggs” biscuit baking choice.
I was just reading your comment on my blog and I really like to use wood needles to as I find that the wool definitely doesn’t slip around as much like with some of the slick metal needles. Right now I have harmony wood needles but bamboo is nice to use as well 🙂
It is driving me slightly loopy, so I will be taking a trip down to the knitting shop today. Thanks for the tip.
You’ve just made me want to go and get some thin yarn. I remember making a knitted lace collar with crochet cotton years ago, I used to take it to the swimming pool while the kids were playing. I still have it somewhere but have never used it. I must rake it out and put it on the blog.
Looking forward to seeing the shawl finished, is it easy?
Briony
x
The last 2 ply I knitted was on incredibly thin needles. Two adult jumpers. I can’t believe I did it! I’m using a bigger size this time, so it is knitting up a lot faster. Your lace collar sounds beautiful. Hope you find it!
Now I’ve cracked the pattern, (feeling a little bit dense that I didn’t get it straight away) the knitting is easy. I can do it with moderate distractions, which means I don’t have to wait until the children go to bed!
hi!
i love wednesdays too… i would definitely switch to bamboo or any wood. metal is cold and awful…. wondering what was the trouble with the pattern? were your yarn overs not matching up in the middle? ive just ordered LACE. my best friend is DK. i wonder how we’ll go…
x
Hiya! I think wood, or bamboo, is the way to go. Nice to have you and Rosina confirm it!
I think my problem with the pattern was that it has two panels, that increase in size, and I was waiting for more panels to be inserted. Once I wrote the stitches down, I could see it. There are only two panels and, so far, four different rows repeated. Now it is plain sailing. I’m not using stitch markers and I’m using the middle stitch to keep it all in line. It is easy, now I’ve figured it out. Isn’t that life!
What lovely yarn…great color…and how do you make the disappearing lemon biscuits? 😀
Lemon biscuits disappear so easily. The recipe isn’t mine, but it is like a lemon shortbread, except thinner. Put the uncooked dough in the fridge for an hour and then slice.
Lemon biscuits. How delicious…don’t suppose you’d be up for sharing the recipe? 😉 I’m selfishly going to say that I’m a little relieved that a knitter with 25 years of experience sometimes still has to start over multiple times. It seems like it takes me at least 3 re-starts with each project. Can’t wait to see that shawl. The blue is gorgeous.
I so nearly gave up with the pattern. I started looking at other shawl patterns, but I knew that this pattern was the one I wanted to make. Not sure why I’ve not made a shawl before.
I wish I could share the recipe, but its not mine. Its from my Aga bible – “The Aga Book” by Mary Berry. It is a bit like a thin shortbread with grated lemon zest. The dough is chilled in the fridge for an hour, making it easy to slice.
I tried knitting lace on metal needles. Not good. My Denise interchangeables work well, except with the smallest size the fine wool doesn’t slip over the join very well. Haven’t got any further thinking about that yet as I’ve been taken up with chunky projects and sheep. Not sure what the solution will be, as I’ll need a circular, whatever the decision, so it will be a new purchase.
So easy to drop a stitch with the metal. Too slippery. I’m hoping to go down to our nearest decent knitting shop soon, to look at a few options. Must remember to take my knitting with me. Thanks for suggesting the Denise. I’ll see if they stock them.
dear cheryl,
do you have a link to the pattern? i’ve had the same thing happen after knitting many many years. sometimes i have to walk away to understand. i knit with mostly addi lace which for some reason doesn’t feel anything like other metal needles. and the delicate points make yarnovers and ssk’s, increases or decreases of all kinds sort of effortless. especially with fine yarns like your using. i love the color of your wool, it’s just gorgous.
and the lemon bisquits look delicious, i love the photo too.
xo
Wow! I feel like I’ve been slumming it in the knitting needle area. So many choices that I’ve not seen before. It would be good to find a set that makes 2 ply a pleasure to knit with. I can see the advantage of a finer tip, especially with the lighter yarn. Definite food for thought. I’m going to do some research. Thank you, lori. I’ll add the pattern link to the post.
A bisquit that looks this beautiful before baking is definitely worth trying! Of course, it could have a little something to do with the photographer. 🙂
I love your color choice for the shawl… so… ME!
Blessings, Debbie
No, its the lemons. We’re in dreary weather here, so lemons are adding a bit of welcome extra sunshine. Close my eyes and I can almost convince myself that there is blue sky out there! The wool is a bluey-green. I’m loving it.
The shawl is going to be very pretty. Great colour.
I hope so. It is growing at a steady rate. I think the blocking is going to be crucial.
The shawl is going to look so beautiful, I can’t wait to see it finished. I’m onto my first shawl – normally I’m more into little baby knits, so it’s dragging on a little. But one day I’ll muster the patience for a truly lacy shawl as well. 🙂
I think this is a fairly easy lacey shawl pattern, once I got passed the initial bit. So long as you are OK with knitting 2 together and yarnover, then you should be able to make a beautiful shawl. Its knitting up fast as well!
Those biscuits sound super tempting! isn’t it funny how hard it is to photograph the yummiest ones!
Lovely wool…glad you deciphered the pattern 😀
The yummiest kitchen makes, unfortunately have the shortest life spans. Its a fact. Sad but true! I made over 50 biscuits, but by the time it was daylight, they had disappeared. Hmmm.
I think you would find bamboo needles a bit less slippery for the 2 ply. I look forward to seeing more of the shawl – I have two lots of lace yarn in my stash and intend to try finer work soon. I read the Help a few months ago, its a great read
The shawl is growing fast now I’ve changed needles. The needles make so much difference.