I didn't pin it out to block - I just sort of stretched it out on the floor. True blocking would have fixed that little ruffle at the edges, but since I doubt the recipients of this blanket - the parents of a new baby girl - will have time to do anything more than throw it in the washer and dryer, severe blocking seemed unnecessary.
I used about 8 and a half skeins of Knit Picks Comfy Sport in Whisker. I really like this yarn - it's a cotton/acrylic blend. It's a little splitty but not so much so to be really annoying. It's nice and soft and machine washable/dryable. I'm sure I'll use it again.
I had planned on casting on immediately for Myrtle, but..... I didn't! Last week I was in Madison for a conference and had just enough time to visit one yarn shop, The Knitting Tree. I was looking for a sagey green sock yarn to use for Pea Vines by Anne Hansen, but as soon as I saw the Dream in Color Smooshy in Cloud Jungle, I knew that was the yarn. That swatch-picture doesn't do it justice, but it's better than I could do. At first, the color reminded me of the old-fashioned green/brown army fatigues, but then I noticed the rosy smudges. It's just gorgeous.
ETA: Okay - I tried taking a photo with my iPhone - and it turned out closer in color than they one I took with my camera!
I cast on for the medium size last night - Pea Vines is worked from the bottom up, which means it gets smaller and smaller. I've never knit a shawl this way, but I have to say, it's kind of fun! The casting on was a bit tedious, but it's not nearly as many stitches as you would have for a full-size, lace-weight shawl.
Next week I travel again - first to San Antonio to see my sister, then to Austin for a conference. There may be more yarn shops in my future!
8 comments:
What a lovely gift. Lucky parents. I enjoy knitting lace as it keeps me awake but something this big is quite a project. Well done.
It looks beautiful...nice job...I still have a lace shawl and a 1/2 pair of a sock on needles! Just never enough time....
The blanket turned out wonderful, blocking it would be silly as you are correct parents would never be able to make it look that way again and they may feel they ruined it when they washed it and it didn't look the same as when you gave it to them.
I love knitting shawls where each row gets smaller because by the time I'm done with a shawl the other way I feel like the rows will never be done. This solves that problem!
It's beautiful! I knew it would be.
Can't wait to see you in Austin!
Oh, it's gorgeous! And you're so right about the parents - no way will they have the time to block it. :)
AUSTIN!!! My home town - I'm going there at the end of October to see my oldest daughter. I hope you have a wonderful trip. I'll be watching your pea vine shawl, that's a wonderful pattern.
lovely blanket - I wish I were going to SAT to see my sister. Have a good trip.
Dear Janna what a lovely gift. Even if I cant knit, to save my life, I can appreciate that doing that relaxing you. For me my therapy is baking, it just fills me with immense joy. Started learning 20+ years ago to destress from my work and afte retiring, I bake and sell from the house. Do go to my blog if you like to have a look my cakes. God bless. Juanita Samson.
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