It's hot, or why am I knitting shawls?
We're off to Maple Canyon in Utah next week, and I've been tracking the temps at Nephi, the closest town to it: mid to high 90s during the day, mid 60s during the evening. I have a feeling we'll be chasing the shade most of the time, not trying our intended projects. About two months ago in Mount Charleston (near Las Vegas, NV) we watched from the base of a crag as this one guy steadily hiked up the hill in the hot sun, backpack on his back, sweating like it was going out of style. He carried something in his cast-off t-shirt, which he unwrapped like it was the Holy Grail. And it was, sort of: a bowling ball-sized cantaloupe. We watched as he sliced the thing open and proceeded to eat half the melon in huge slurping bites. His buddy, who came up 10 minutes later, ate the other half, juice flowing down his chin. Clearly these guys knew their summer weather shit. The cantaloupe smelled *so good* to us with our dried-up sandwiches, grossly doughy Clif bars and plain water mixed with Emergen-C. So here's my (duh) summer hiking/climbing tip: climbing gear be damned, always carry a melon in your pack.
On to knitting. The shawl. My girlfriend? Still preggers. When is Bean coming out?
Pattern: Shetland Triangle from Interweave Knits' Wrap Style
Yarn: Misti Alpaca Lace (100% Baby Alpaca; 50g; 437 yards) in VL9311 Merlot
Needles: US7
Finished Size: 70" wide x 35" long
Let it be said that I *love* working with alpaca! It's soft and has a great halo, not as fluffy as Rowan Kidsilk Haze, but just enough to give it that skin-skimming softness. It's great.
The bold color is something new as well. Usually I knit the earth tones. Or black. That gets boring after a while, and pink and green... Well, other than being my mainstays, they were predictable. And since the pregnant friend is less floofy-girly than me, I thought the rich eggplant color (although you don't see it here as well) would be perfect.
Thanks for writing, those of you who still read this blog! I've been too busy to read and comment lately, and I've gotten unwanted trackbacks, which is why I closed comments in the first place. I've opened this one here, in part because of Julia and the PB cookies.
Mmm, love that purple! And the yarn--used that for a wrap a couple of years ago. Have fun on your trip!
I love that purple! Have a great trip and stay cool!
Oooh, beautiful. I actually have an itchin to knit a shawl. I don't really wear triangular shawls but they are so interesting to knit, that I feel an urge. I have a ton of suitable yarn, but as soon as I sit down to start designing, I can't decide on the "perfect" stitch and get distracted.
Anyway, beautiful beautiful beautiful.
Oh nevermind about the weather. I still it's a gorgeous shawl. Very nice purple.
I've had the Shetland Triangle earmarked for a while now... I think you've inspired me! That purple is lovely. Maybe you will try it for yourself?
Have a good vacation!
Beautiful shawl. And you're right, that yarn is totally yummy :)
It's just lovely. The color is so rich...it looks soft in the picture.
See? Isn't this nice? Now I can easily tell you how beautiful that shawl is in your comments - though it is nice to e-mail you as well. Have a great time in Utah. It's one of my favorite places to go. We'll be gone that week, too. Hawaii here we come!
It's beautiful! I can't wait to get mine blocked out. Yours is a great size too, I'm worried that mine will be too small. Like a shawlette, or something.
The shawl is so gorgeous. I had never seen the Misti Alpaca in this color before. You describe the yarn so well. I so enjoy knitting with it. Oh, and I cannot get the peanut butter cookies out of my mind. I will make them one day when I can stand to fire up the oven.
The shawl is absolutely gorgeus, MJ! I've been admiring it every time you post about it. I'm sure your friend will love it.
oh i love your shawl! it knitted up so beautifully. the stitch pattern and the colour are gorgeous. x
This is such a pretty lace. Thanks for posting the details on yarn and needle size. I'm swatching with my misti alpaca and can't decide which needle size to use.
Beautiful! I love the color and this is one pattern I have in my "want to" pile. I've been itchin' for a new shawl, this may be it after seeing yours!
Beautiful color! I haven't tried Misti Alpaca yet but I hope to someday. You did a great job, it looks lovely.
It's beautiful. The color is rich. You know, it would go great over black. Just sayin'.
Gorgeous shawl! Love the color and the pattern. I'm going use alpaca for the first time with the Flower Basket shawl. Hope it turns out as well as yours!
Lovely, lovely, lovely. What an inspiration to those of us who haven't tackled lace yet. Your friend is a very lucky person!
Have a wonderful trip!
Have a good time in Utah and be safe. It won't be as hot as Vegas and we have a cooling trend coming in next week.
I hit post too soon. You're lace is beautiful and I love the color, too.
MJ, this is just gorgeous! I love the lace pattern, and love to see the purple too (even if you aren't in Project Spectrum!)
Hope you are well ;)
Mmmmmm....melon.....
(the shawl looks gorgeous)