Lace for Spring

Pattern: Flower Basket Shawl by Evelyn Clark, Interweave Knits Fall 2004
Yarn: 6 balls Elann's Peruvian Collection Baby Cashmere (60% Baby Alpaca, 30% Merino Wool, 10% Cashmere; 0.88 oz; 109 yds) in #0100 Parchment
Needles: US6 and 7 for the body, US9 for bind off
Finished Size: 13 pattern repeats; 76" wide x 38" long (a perfect equilateral triangle!)

(You can compare this image to the unblocked one; I've size the images so that they're the same proportion. Then you can see how much larger it is with blocking.)

My second FBS; like the first one, this was knit in under 2 weeks. The pattern is so easy and I didn't have to tink back or use lifelines. I missed a few yarn-overs here and there, easily remedied with a flip under with the needle. So my mods, my mods! I settled on a smaller needle with a thicker yarn because I wanted more stitch definition, not just lots of holes. So a US6 needle. Halfway through I decided the stitches were a bit small (and there was no way I was going to frog it) so on the 7th repeat I alternated between a 6 and 7. From the 8th repeat onward I used the 7 needle. There wasn't a big difference size-wise between the 2 sets of stitches, but using the 7 definitely speeded things up! I bound off, as is my practice, using a needle 2 times bigger.

The reader must note that I didn't bother to do a gauge swatch, as this is lace. It's also my second FBS, so I'm familiar with my knitting style when it comes to lace. The pattern called for 437 yards on US9; I had 654 yards and knew I'd be making more pattern repeats, even with thicker yarn. It's one of those things you just have to experiment with. Always buy a little extra for lace, you know. One last note. When the shawl I was partially dry, I sprayed on some linen water, verbena in my case, to impart a bit of freshness. I highly recommend this finishing touch.

It occurred to me that all the shawls I've knit have been gifts for others. The shawl I'm planning for myself, Faina Letouchaia's Forest Path Shawl, is a little daunting. I ordered the magazine and read through the instructions. Aside from its being lace, it's entrelac, which is a whole 'nother thing I'm dying to learn. But it'll be a while before I touch that project. So many other projects to do. In the meantime, I'll just drool over Amy's incredible shawl (whoops, link fixed! thanks Amy!).