Endless Husband Socks DONE!

Pattern: Simple stockinette, 72st, toe-up, flap-heel from Knitting Fiend, EZ Sewn Bind-off (Knitty article here)

Yarn: Trekking XXL #96 greys/greens, only about 30yds leftover

Needles: Addi US 0 / 2mm

Gauge: 8-9 spi

Started: Spring 2006, set aside many times out of sheer boredom

Completed: February 26, 2007

Finished Size: Mens US 11, 10 inches from heel to cuff

Notes: The colors are muted greys and greens and the Husband loves them. I enjoyed knitting with the Trekking XXL, but next time he gets sportweight socks!

Mystery Shawl 1: Mystery Diamond

As usual, I need help with blocking and Ivy is happy to oblige



Pattern: Yahoo Mystery Shawl 1, Now Goddess Knits Mystery Diamond

Yarn: Henry’s Attic Silk & Ivory, silk/merino blend, undyed, 4.9 oz = approx 625 yds. Cone purchased from Wool2Dye4 in Lynchburg.



Needles: Aero 32 in/80cm circular, US6/4.0mm
Gauge: Lace
Started: June 2005
Completed: August 2005
Finished Size: 76 inches x 36 inches



Notes:
The first mystery shawl, in five clues, one per week. Construction was simple, top down triangle, with each clue progressing from the previous. No border or edging. I modified the last two rows to exaggerate the scallop when blocked.

The Silk & Ivory is fingering wt, easy to work with, very soft, blocks well, with a beautiful sheen. It has continued to develop a bit of halo with wear. Holds its block well even packed away and traveling. It is very warm.

Won third prize at the 2005 State Fair of Virginia for Knitted Lace - Amateur

Mystery Shawl 2: Flowing River

Fortunately, I had lots of good help with blocking.



Pattern: Yahoo Mystery Shawl 2, now Goddess Knits - Flowing River

Yarn: Jaggerspun Zephyr, laceweight silk & wool, hand-dyed with Gaywool acid-dyes to a medium lavender/periwinkle, 2.6 oz = approx 825 yds. Cone purchased from Textura Trading



Needles: Aero 32in/80cm circular, US5/3.75mm

Gauge: Lace

Started: September 2005

Completed: January 2006

Finished Size: 80 inches x 34 inches



Notes:

The second mystery shawl, in five clues, one per week. Construction was quite a bit more complex than MS1. Center triangle was worked, then a wide border, finally a knitted on 25st edging. Started September 30, 2005, I kept pace well with the first four clues, then lost steam with the endless edging. This shawl went with me to Dominica in late October, was put away for xmas knitting, then finally finished on a trip to Dad’s in Jan 2006.

The Zephyr is a fine laceweight, easy to knit, quite soft, with a nice subtle sheen. It seems warm for its weight. Finished wt of shawl is just 2.6oz.

This shawl won a First Prize for Knitted Lace and Best of Section for Lace - Amateur

EZ Pi Shawl

Blocked so Severely it is larger than the queen-size bed.



Done! This was knit at a very loose gauge for the laceweight yarn and is quite light and lacy.




Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Merino Lace, in their heathered-solid Burgundy, ordered from Fuzzy Mabel, used about half a skein or 1200 yds (I’ll update this when I can weigh the remaining yarn)

Needles: US5 at the center to US7 at the perimeter, Edging US5, Aero and KnitPicks Circulars

Pattern: Pi Shawl, Elizabeth Zimmerman, Knitters Almanac

Gauge: Lace

Started: September 2005 (I put this down for quite a while)

Completed: February 2007

Finished Size: 60 inches diameter

Notes:
The CTH laceweight is smooth and very easy to knit. While not quite as fine and soft as Zephyr, which is a merino/silk blend, it seems very sturdy, light, and warm.

I modified the last lace section of the original EZ pattern to add another set of petals and diamonds.

The edging is Doris from Heirloom Knitting.

A related post HERE.

Mystery Shawl 3: Summer Into Fall

It's so big, I can't get the whole thing in the frame.



This was Mystery Shawl #3 on a Yahoo group. I set it aside for a bit, but with the deadline of the Virginia State Fair, and Arm Surgery #3 rehab underway, I had to get it done. Just finishing was reward enough and I really wasn't even going to send this shawl and another over to Richmond. Well, last minute I put them in an overnight box and off they went. Good thing too.



First prize for Knitted Shawls, and Best of Section for Knitting



Pattern: Mystery Shawl 3, now the Goddes Knits Summer Into Fall pattern

Yarn: Anny Blatt Fine Kid, heavy laceweight mohair/wool/nylon, almost 6 balls

Needles: US6/4mm, I think

Gauge: Lace

Started: March 2006

Completed: September 2006

Finished Size: 60in square

Notes: By the time I was done, I didn't care if I ever saw mohair again! There were nearly 800 stitches on the final rounds. It's a lovely color, but the yarn has teensy slubs that mean I would probably not use it again. The shawl is very warm yet light, and is beautiful.

Swallowtail Shawl

Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl, Evelyn Clark, Interweave Knits, Fall 2006

Yarn: MOCO Yarns Qiviut, 45% Qiviut/45% Merino/10% Silk laceweight, less than one 425yd skein used, approx 350 yds, natural taupe, purchased at Stitches East November 2006 from Caryll Designs

Needles: KnitPicks Classic Circulars US3 / 3.25mm

Gauge: It’s lace

Started: December 2006

Completed: January 2007 after xmas hiatus

Finished Size: 48” x 24”

Notes:
The qiviut-blend yarn is as soft as that spot behind a cat’s ear, featherweight, but amazingly warm. With a bit of wear it’s already developing some of the characteristic halo.

I knit the patterns exactly as written. Evelyn Clark’s patterns are straightforward, and lovely. The upper section was easily memorized and went quickly. The nupps are a bit slow and fiddly but definitely worth the effort. The finished size is perfect as a little shoulder shawl or scarf.