Shawl we?

I like to knit shawls but I don't like to wear them. The blocking does not hold, they don't stay on my shoulders, the yarn sheds, etc. BUT. Last Thursday, tired of wearing layer upon layer, I chose a single cashmere turtleneck sweater (a gift - I can't afford cashmere!) I didn't think it would be warm enough by itself, so I added the Wingspan shawl and a shawl pin I had not yet used. Voila!

Not only was I warmer, but I received complements on the pairing of sweater and shawl. (I rarely get compliments about my fashion sense, so this is a big deal.) And it did add just enough warmth to keep me comfortable throughout the day.

Now I'm thinking shrugs might be a nice thing to add to my wardrobe.

Take flight

I will skip the apologies for not blogging more often, as I have been spending most of my time outside, hose in hand, trying to make up for the lack of rain in these parts. Watering really cuts into my knitting time. Still, I managed to finish something.



Pattern: Wingspan, by maylin Tri'Coterie Designs
Yarn: Kangaroo Dyer Superwash Sock yarn
Needles: US4
Modifications: I chose to wrap and knit the turns; also, I sl1k on the edges.



I tried both sl1k and sl1p wyib at the turns and decided I liked the sl1k better. I also ran out of yarn and had to knit the last four rows and bind off with some yarn leftover from the purple February Baby sweater from 2010. Fortunately, the colors were close enough.



While I gave this piece a soak upon finishing, I did not try to block the points, as I have never had much success getting wool/nylon blends to hold a blocking.