Elise always has something on her needles. Watch her progress on models for The Busy Needle, as well as on her own projects and designs.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

2014 Resolution

I resolve to post at least once each month on my works in progress and finished pieces.

That said, I'd like to share a project in progress... the Thick and Thin Leaf Lace Cowl from Vogue Knitting magazine, Early Fall 2013. I've made several changes. First, I won't finish this piece as a cowl. Instead, I'll have it blocked to approx 14x70 for a shawl.

Second, I've substituted 8^ beads for the second yarn, placing each bead with a crochet hook on the purl side of the shawl above each decrease, both single and double.

I used the yarn specified in the pattern, Prism's hand-dyed Gossamer Layers, in the Jade colorway. Desert Design Knitz in Dallas was my yarn source. Ellen was a great help. I ordered the yarn from her and it arrived in three days. On a trip to Dallas in October 2013 I had time to visit her shop (and buy more yarn!) She is quite knowledgeable.

This yarn is very similar to several yarns I already have in stock, though I don't carry it in emerald green. I'll definitely make this project again, but in one of our own yarns.

Anyway, I started this project on November 16 at the urging of a good friend, Rebecca, who wanted me to teach her how to do it and to help with any problems. On January 9th I finished my shawl; Rebecca is on Row 8. She started at the same time but put it aside to make several last-minute Christmas gifts. She picked it up again last week and I suspect I'll see her often in the next few weeks.

This week I'll take my shawl to Vickie to block. She does a fabulous job, charges a pittance, and works in the ends. I'll upload a photo of the finished shawl but, in the meantime, this photo is of it in progress...aboard the Royal Princess while anchored off the island of Eleuthera in the Bahama.