Aphrodite shawl

This post is a little back-dated. I finished my shawl on Friday, May 30. I woke up early and didn't even eat breakfast until it was done, which wasn't until about 11 or 11:30. It is amazing, it's everything I hoped it would be and more. I wore it to the opening night of Sex and the City. It was a beautiful night, not cold but a little breezy. I wore a white tank top and jeans and wrapped the shawl with the point on one arm and the ends crossed over the other shoulder. The glass beads are cool when you first put it on, but soon reach body temperature. The merino lace is deceptively warm. I was not cold on the walks to and from the theater, and I was actually too hot while waiting in line to enter the movie! So I picked the shawl up from my arm and slouched it up around my neck loosely like a big cowl scarf. This allowed the air to circulate around and under my arms and I was fine once seated.


I skipped blocking it, because I don't know that it would actually do anything for it. The YO edges seem stretchy enough without blocking, it's not to tight or anything. I liked the bind off the pattern calls for, it was called a twice worked BO, where you p2tog, purl another stitch, BO, then put that stitch back on the left needle and repeat. I also used a needle one size bigger and that was a smart move. The BO edge was not tight at all, and it actually kind of has a wavy frill look sometimes when it hangs loose.

I haven't worn it again because I am afraid of Asher's little fingers getting in those eyelets and pulling the heck out of it. Maybe I will reserve this item for special non-baby-holding occasions :)

Eyelet lace beaded shawl

Last Sunday, I took a workshop at Stitch House to make a knit beaded shawl. The class was only $15, their most affordable class to date. I wasn't sure I wanted to take the class until I went to the shop to see the sample shawl. I instantly decided to sign up for it! It was soft and beautiful. The sample was made with dark purple malabrigo lace yarn, using irridescent beads, like the kind I used on my purple odessa hat. Malabrigo lace was the recommended yarn for the project, so I used water green, which I love. I want to drink it! I might call my shawl Aphrodite, because she was born by springing forth from the sea foam. The beads I chose are clear taupe with an irredescent lining that makes them appear purple, blue or green. I thought they complemented the green yarn nicely, and I liked the contrast better than the green beads that matched the yarn. I also considered light purple (amethyst) beads, but I am happy with my choice.
After several repeats of the eyelet pattern, I know it by heart. I did 4 repeats during the workshop, which was 3 hours long. And I have been working on it as much as I can since then, so almost a week now. I think I could have it done by this weekend, as I am into the 3rd 3rd now. The pattern has 3 sections of beaded eyelet, separated by garter stitch sections. I don't know why I am so incredibly motivated by this project. I hadn't been doing much needle crafting lately, but did start a crochet bag for Bonni. It was going to be her bday/graduation gift, but that occurred last week. I will still give it to her, but... must.finish.shawl. This is also the first time I'm working with lace weight yarn. It was challenging at first to get used to its thin airiness. Somehow, the pattern is still keeping my attention. It's not boring because it kind of alternates between a row I have to pay close attention to and a row I can just knit or purl straight through. I love the yarn and I love the beads and it's just cool to watch the pattern flow into lace. And, my dirty secret thought: maybe I am more motivated because this is a project for myself. I tend to start a lot of gift projects that get set aside and rarely make stuff for myself. Regardless, I love this project and want it to be done so I can wrap the light merino goodness around my shoulders!!