When queues collide!

Sometimes projects just come out of nowhere .  This shawl began much like the 'Accidental sweater' I made this past winter.  I was perusing Ravelry and came upon a photo of a 'Daybreak' Shawl by Steven West it inspired me to do this sample!

Knitters  have 2 'queues', 2 lists for knitting; one is for the patterns they want to make and another for yarn or fibre that they want to use.   There are some Ravelry members that list the items they would like to knit in their 'queues', when you lurk on someone's page you may be surprised how many items are in their profile!  I will never totally divulge my list, it changes almost daily.

Sometimes the queues collide!  The perfect yarn, or combination of yarns with the right pattern.  Just like the Accidental Sweater this shawl gave me another excuse to knit with a favourite yarn.  

I found the design on a Friday and assembled all the ingredients  Saturday. Going through my needles I found that every 3.5 mm needle was currently occupied. I spied the Knitter's Pride Dreamz circular that came in a needle tasting kit I received during the summer, but it was only 60 cm  long.  I decided to start with the short needle anyway and figure out something else when I ran out of room on the needle.  

When I make a shop sample I try to stay as close to the pattern as I can, that way I don't have to bore you with the details on how I changed the design.  My main concern was that I would run out of the Noro Silk Garden before I completed the project.  I knit faster, it really helps.  The shawl increased, the yarn decreased and the 60 cm needle was absolutely filled with stitches!  

Not only did the needle hold the 400 plus stitches I was impressed at the way it performed.  For a wooden needle the point was very sharp, the stitches moved easily over the join and it was very lightweight.  I am not sure it would work for a very lacey pattern, but in this case it was perfect.

I did actually run out of yarn during the bind off, I had to pick back most of the stretchy bind off I like to use and do a modified version.  If you choose the same yarn you may want to adjust the pattern slightly to avoid this.  After the second attempt casting off stitches 30 cm of yarn remained!

If you read this before Wednesday October 2nd and would like to join us for a Yarn Tasting, contact the shop for more information.  ( 7 pm - 9pm, but you must reserve a spot $15.)

We have some exciting news about new knitting events coming, check the website pages for more information.

See You Soon.