I had thought about calling it The Galloping horse. You know, the one from which if you can’t see the mistake in your knitting, it’s fine? But I’m not as enamored of that as i was when it occurred to me :)
Finally, finally, I seem to have gotten past the knit-a few-rows-and-rip-‘em-out stage. Enough progress had been made, in fact, that I bound it off last night. However, when I spread it out this morning, I could see that the design wasn’t balanced and that the last stage (doesn’t that sound all complex and knitterly?) needed several more repeats in order for the whole thing to look right.
I started with alternate columns of Razor shell and Horseshoe lace and then converted the razor shells into horseshoe lace so that the bottom of the piece was Horseshoe lace all the way across. But I hadn’t done enough repeats for it to look right taken with the alternate patterns of the rest of the shawl.
So this morning it went back on the needles - and I didn’t mess anything up, may miracles never cease!. This means two things:
1. The shawl is going to be bigger than I had initially imagined. This isn’t a problem; I have plenty of yarn and certainly do not mind a larger piece. I was never set, heart and soul, on a shoulder shawl. I just thought it was something I should try.
2. Because the shawl is going to require more yarn, the possible matching socks are a no go. This also isn’t a problem because I was never entirely sold on green socks :) Also, I would have felt compelled to make the sock’s stitch pattern(s) match the shawl’s and I have no idea how I would go about that. Well, the real truth is more like I don’t want to bother with figuring it out - and now I don’t have to!
Dad’s problem was, apparently an ulcer. It seems to be the feeling of his doctor that this was brought about by ibuprophen on his always chancy stomach. In addition, there was a urinary tract infection and God knows how long that had been in residence. I believe both those issues have been resolved but I’m bringing him to the doctor’s tomorrow morning and we shall see what happens.
I have been dropping by as often as I dare because he is tired and weak - he lost a great deal of weight and, for the first time, looks frail to me. He, of course, insists that he’s fine and getting better every day and doesn’t need me to baby-sit. I’ll be more comfortable with that assessment when he eats more than half a piece of toast and a banana a day. Well, to be fair, he did eat a whole bowl of soup on Saturday.
A former co-worker sent me a whole box of yarn as she has been, over the last several years, more into quilting than knitting. It is all acrylic, some of it quite nice. I had hoped that, after the blanket project earlier this year, I had worked up most of my acrylics - but I suppose it doesn’t hurt to have some on hand for last minute things.
I keep trying to think about new projects - the shawl isn’t going to last that much longer :) But I seem to be pretty focused on that for now and find that when I have my knitting groove on, it’s that I want to be knitting.
I wonder if it’s the lace getting to me? Heheh…
No trackbacks yet.
i’m glad your dad is at least claiming he’s feeling better- i’m sure his combo of problems had him really feeling quite badly before he finally admitted something was wrong- maybe *both* of you will feel better after he sees the doctor this week-
it never hurts to have a new collections of yarns available for playing around and emergency use- lots of acrylics have a far worse reputation than they deserve, as there are occasions when they definitely suit a project- there now, i am definitely ‘outed’ as a ‘yarn slob’!!
love the shawl and i am endlessly astounded at your ability to think patterning through- with shawls there is such a range of useful sizes that you can add to them almost endlessly without ever getting them too large- well, i guess maybe that’s a bit of a generalization but a big shawl does wrap around so nicely and feels so snuggly-
stay happy-
i love the shawl as is, but i realize the need for perfection. that green is really nice.
i’m glad your dad is recovering. it must be so hard to have to step back and let him convalesce on his own.
Barb - When he starts being his usual nit-picking, fault-finding grump self, I’ll stop worrying. Your kind thoughts are greatly appreciated.
The shawl is an interesting project, if for no other reson than that it’s gotten my brain into gear again. i wouldn’t be prepared to swear, however, that much actual thinking is going on :)
Opal - I appreciate your take on the shawl - especially since lace shawls are a real specialty of yours. I’m tremendously flattered :)
It is very tough to leave my father alone because I am a fretter by nature. However, I am also a stubbornly independent person myself and I know exactly how he feels. He does seems to be doing a little better every day though for which we are both grateful!
Here’s hoping for good news from your dad’s doctor!
Your shawl is very pretty!
Chris - Thanks - both about dad and the shawl. I can’t wait to see what it looks like once it’s blocked.
The shawl - not dad :)
That shawl is looking really good!! The colour’s gorgeous and the patterns work well together. As for a name, I’m all out of ideas; that’s never been a strong suit of mine (not much imagination, I fear).
I’m so glad to hear your Dad’s faring better. They are worrying at times, aren’t they? As long as he’s eating well (which isn’t always easy as you age), he’ll be fine. That’s why we made sure John’s Dad got into a good place. We know he’s eating good food and being well cared for.
Ev - As you are an expert shawl knitter and designer, I value your opinion and thank you humbly :)
I love the shawl, and to create by hand means we have a few imperfections. Remember the Indians always include an imperfection into their baskets, weaving etc….The object is to make the person look hard to find it and “see” the beauty of it.
Vicki
Vicki - I’m certainly in favor of people looking closely to see the beauty of things, and I’m as imperfect as the next person. So, consequently, are the things I make. But I wouldn’t feel right about including deliberate mistakes :) God knows there’ll be enough unintentional ones!
I’d feel as though I hadn’t done my best. or, maybe a better way of putting it is that I wouldn’t feel as though I were using the talent and information (through books and websites, etc.) that had been given me.
