impatient

I've found that knitting expanding lace triangles is a three-phase process. There's the beginning, in which I'm learning the pattern but the rows are very short. There's a middle phase, when I've almost learned the pattern, so that even though the rows are getting longer, I'm making progress quickly. And then there's a third phase, when I already know the pattern, it's not really interesting anymore, and the rows are really long. At this point, progress is slow. I'm in the middle of the third phase on the flower basket shawl. I just finished the eleventh repeat. I think I'm going to knit one more repeat from the middle chart and then switch to the edging chart, for a total of thirteen basket repeats.

In the meantime, while my enthusiasm rebuilds, I'm preparing for my next lace shawl project. I figure I should try to at least start projects with all most of my Maryland yarn* before going to Rhinebeck, so I've balled the yarn for my next lace shawl:

lovely backdrop, eh?

The next question: What pattern should I use? I've only got a little over 600 yards.** It's variegated yarn with enough colors that I'd like the pattern to be pretty simple, but it shouldn't be boring, either. I rather like the "knit a point-up triangle and add edging" format, because it's a way to knit a full-sized shawl without being really bored by the end, but the "knit a rectangle in one pattern, switch to another, and then knit a second rectangle in the first pattern and graft them together" might be good, too.

*The orange mohair is going to wait until I've spun up the second shade of orange wool-mohair, so it won't be started until well after Rhinebeck.

**Judging by the flower basket shawl, that should be plenty, but I've been having trouble finding a suitable pattern.

Comments

[Cassie]

I just finished the Diamond Fantasy Shawl from Sivia Harding and it was an enjoyable knit. It does do that rows-get-longer-as-you-go thing, though. I used about 350 yards for mine, so you'd get a larger shawl with your 600.

[regina]

Will you please send me an e-mail with your addy? I will mail you your "Give A Little" prize.

best,
regina