I’ve gotten the first and second tier colors for the new shawl dyed. Better than that even, they finally dried over the weekend so I was able to…
Well, let’s back up just a little. I was anxious to begin the shawl and had thought I would be able to do so on Saturday night. And I was - able, but I didn’t - start. That was because I had spent some time poring over stitch patterns and a few things had filtered down into my tiny little brain.
First of all, I had been planning to use a solid block with a bobble in the center (along with a lace block). However, the longer I looked at that bobble, the less I liked it - but I didn’t want a plain, unrelieved, solid, stockinette block - therefore this…
This is a slip stitch pattern which (I thought) resembled ripples on a pond and after playing with several variations of this, the one above is what I believe will work best.
Second, while I liked the razor shell version I had planned to use for the lace block, I felt the block itself to be just slightly unbalanced. So, of course, I had to fart around with that too :)
I think this works a little better although I’m not entirely sure there isn’t something else my brain hasn’t finished playing with yet. Oh well, I guess it will let me know…
...but it’s going to have to be quick about it because last night, I finally, formally, started the actual shawl!
In terms of design, the bobble was going to provide a contrast color to the predominantly blue shawl. Deciding that I really didn’t want the bobble didn’t alleviate the need for some contrast color in there somewhere. Right now, I’m thinking about dyeing the border yarn in tans and dull oranges with maybe a little yellow in there too and definitely leaving some of the original cream.
But, you know, that could also change - seems like things do :)
No trackbacks yet.
I feel like I’m watching you set out on a cross-country trip. The car is packed, the snacks are ready, it’s time to go!
I tell you, I learn more about the insider of a designer’s head from you. Thanks for taking us along for the ride. (I’ll just be here in the backseat quietly working on socks and peering over your shoulder.)
well, i am in complete agreement with colleen- this preparation for the grand adventure has been positively enlightening, and the peek into the designer’s mind and process has been informative- now i know why i ‘follow’-
your blue starter color is really pretty *and* i love the ripple variation in the stockinette part- entrelac pieces always remind me of quilted items, and i think your ‘quilt blocks’ are going to be gorgeous-
stay happy-
Colleen - I will try not to be unnerved by the thought of you looking over my shoulder :) Thnks for your kind words!
Barb - Quilting? Hmmm - I never thought of that. Perhaps entrelac might make a good basis for a pseudo-quilted design? For a pillow cover or something like that?
I LOVE the slipstitch pattern. Very interesting and completely un-nipple like. 
As for quiltlike knitting, I have had a “crazy quilt” knitting experiment simmering on a back burner for quite some time… might be time to pull it out.
Rob - More ripple, less nipple! That could be the motto for the making of this shawl - if I were to permit it - which I won’t :)
Knitted crazy quilt? Spill, girl - sounds fascinating!
you took the words right out of my mouth - better ripple than nipple! nyuk nyuk. Don’t mind ol’ potty mouth here!
Nat - You can’t be the potty mouth - at least two of us beat you to it :) But I definitely like that way this pattern looks - especially since I’ve almost finished Color tier one and can see how it looks in actual practice!
I love the start to the shawl. I like the ripple stitch too. I always love reading about your thought process.
