Sunday, May 03, 2009
back into knitting was ironically during Easter weekend 
with this lovely shawlette
Pattern: This is the Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl, and you may have to do a double take b/c some of you will recognize/think you are looking at the Flower Basket shawl its twin! :o)
I selected this pattern over the other one because of the ease and simplicity of the instructions.
Susan Lawrence did an excellent job with orienting a newbie knitter to triangle shawls (yep my 1st one) with tons of information and explicit directions.
Size: Shawlette/scarf
Just enough to knock the chill off. I will actually wear this more as scarf than a shawl.
Have y'all seen the lastest trend with the P.alestinian scarves (that everyone & their mama is wearing)?
Well I've decided that mine is the chic and unique version of those! Haha! I like it a lot b/c it isn't the trend ;o)
Yarn/Cost: The yarn was gifted to me in my local knitting group during our Purly V.alentine swap back in February (yep I did a couple swaps at the beginning of the year).
And you may recall I featured it here on my blog if you want to learn more about it. It actually is NOT malabrigo! LOL
Because the yarn was picked out for me the colors are different from my usual, which I like as it forced me out of my color box! I really needed that! Since everything I knit can't be purple and red! Haha!
Needles: US 6 on 32" cord
Time: As mentioned earlier I started this project Easter weekend, and it really is an easy flowing fast knit. I only clocked in mileage during lunch time or after work here and there. The majority of the project was worked on during a car trip to D.C. so that easily knocked it out!
Saying all that it took about 2 weeks not focusing on it since I was just warming up my knit mojo, but also crocheting too.
What I learned: How to block a triangle shawl!! The rigged up and easy way w/o wires :o)
You may notice above the string going down the middle, and I also did it going across the top. You just stretch the string out put some pins around the border and viola!!
It was also great to finally understand the concept on how most triangle shawls come to life...I truly had no clue Haha
Modifications: I made none. The pattern called for 10 repeats. I did exactly that.
Mainly because I only had two hanks of yarn and was concerned I wouldn't have enough to finish the bottom edge repeat and bind off. I had some leftover but definitely not enough to do another pattern repeat. 
I also knew right away that I needed to put the repeats on index cards to keep myself straight. And I am proud to say not one hang up and I never used a lifeline! Yay!! I love index cards!!
Measurements:
~Pre-Block~
Length: 17" Width: 35"
~Post-Block~
Length: 25" Width: 47"
Verdict: I am really not big on shawls, but wouldn't mind cranking one out from time to time (would love to do a big comfy one next).
Since it was my first time doing a triangular shawl (definitely recommend this one for any 1st timer!!), I know that I would need to have a "stick-to-it"ness on these projects as the rows just get longer and longer LOL
It truly was a pleasure to knit this project just as much as it is to wear!!
I'm off to look at the latest trend.
Have a great week!
Good review too!
Keep up the good work!
p.s. returning to nc this saturday through monday. helping my son to get ready for a trip to ireland.
I use index cards too!!! My eyes wander on row instructions and I tend to lose my place. Charts I have to manually translate to row-by-row first. I use binder clips to keep my index cards together, flipping them one at a time. I really like how you have put them on rings!
I'm working on the Swallowtail as we speak, in a malabrigo/silk blend and am really enjoying it, too!
Congrats on another first-you did it wonderfully.
You are so right about the "stick-to-it"ness. That has been a huge issue with my last shawl that i still haven't finished. I have close to 600 sts in a row and no urge to work on it all lol.
Kudos!