I was sitting in my chair when Jade jumped up on the left arm. As you probably recall, when Jade came to us she was rather overweight. We’ve been trying to help her drop a little tonnage and there’s been some success. But she’s still a tubby little thing, so when she popped up Saturday morning, I said, “Hello plump rump!”
“Hewwo?”
I stared at the cat for a second, trying to sort things out. Finally it occurred to me to look around. There was Myria, snickering into her cereal bowl. I tell you, that girl just cracks me up :)
Okay, bad news first.
Small Shawl
Well, I guess it’s not really bad news, just disappointing news. The Landscape shawl isn’t big enough to be a landscape - more like a back yard. It finished at about 56” wide and 30” long. The pattern indicates a finished length of 40” and width of up to 70”, depending on the bind off. This is mostly my responsibiity for several reasons. First, I used a size 10 needle with worsted weight yarn - I don’t have a 10.5 circular and I wanted to see how this went before investing in one. I did not indulge in the suggested loose bind-off because I was afraid that would make the top edge look sloppy. Also, I am not petite. I’m not even medium so this would probably work better on a smaller woman. And I didn’t block it because I doubt the ability of Woolease to block out even reasonably well. If I’d been looking for a shoulder shawl, this would be a perfect candidate as it goes over the shoulders and down the back, tying neatly in front to stay in place and out of the way. But I was looking for something considerably bigger than a shoulder shawl. So now I know :)
Next time I’ll follow the sport weight “recipe” if I’m making it up in worsted weight. And I’ll do something besides a YO for increases - way too many eyelets.
The pattern is clear and easy to follow with no mistakes that I could tell. The finished fabric of the shawl is just gorgeous with the garter, seed, stockinette, moss and reverse stockinette sections; it’s as rich feeling to the hand as it is rich looking to the eye.
So, anyone know a munchkin who needs a shawl?
In other news…
Row 6, completed
I’m beginning to think about how I’m going to sort these when I’m finished making the necessary number of squares. I’m thinking I’ll use 8 categories: Violet/Blue (dark and light), Green/Blue (dark and light), Red/Purple (dark and light) and Other (dark and light). Once I see what I have to play with, out comes the trusty graph paper and the colored pencils and we start putting the puzzle together :) Way fun in an unstructured, let’s-see-what-we-get kind of way. I highly recommend it - letting the colors tell you how they want to be arranged - it’s exhilarating!
Goldie, lurking
The cats were definitely playing this morning. Goldie is sitting in front of the hall closet and Jade is just around the corner sitting in the hall just in front of the kitchen. Goldie gave me a look when he saw me getting ready to take his picture. Kind of a “Not now Ma, I’m busy” kind of look. I checked around the corner and when I saw Jade, also alert and at attention, I knew I had interrupted something. So I snapped my picture and backed out of their game as quickly as I could. Sure enough, a few minutes later, they were snaking paws around the corner at each other and (eventually) chasing each other around the apartment. Boogety, boogety!
We finished Prince of Persia and all I can say is that if you have any gaming tendencies at all - don’t miss this one. It’s only flaw (if it has one) is that it’s a bit short. Otherwise for sheer involvement, reasonable story, unbelievably beautiful graphics and just a really good time - you really want to play this game!
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So sorry about the shoulder shawl, after all your hard work :( It does look gorgeous, though, even if it is on the small side.
well, the shawl is certainly a visual treat- it isn’t the long flowing one you have in mind, but i think you will enjoy it on cold mornings anyway-
all those squares! are you going to piece them ‘as is’ or are you going to do final rounds in another color? here i sit thinking how put upon i am because i have to put together about 12 pieces to finish the ‘procrastination bear thing’ and you are being all happy and excited about putting together a jillion squares! i need to take lessons from your ‘sticktoitness’-
jade and goldie seem to be enjoying the change in the weather-
stay happy
Pam - It is a lovely shawl despite its size. I will probably be trying this again at some point with an eye towards increasing the size.
Barb - as far as the afghan goes, I’m not sure how I’m going to assemble it yet. There’s a certain attraction to doing a unifying edging - black? To lend it that “stained glass” appearance? On the other hand, I’ll be so anxious to have it finished, I’m not sure I’ll want to take the time to do anything but sew them together as is! LOL!
And don’t you dare feel bad about your bearghan - the yarn you’re using is a lot more trying that the nice stuff I’m using for the afghan!
I’m so sorry to here about your shawl. It is beautyful.
You asked about my hat/wig pattern, I posted the how to on my blog. Any questions just let me know.
Goldie is too cute. 
Hi Robin :) I’ll definitely check out your wig pattern - it’s just too cool!
I empathize over your shawl. The “too small” has happened to me more than once. (Remember my “Sensational Shirttail”?) It’s usually a combination of myself & other factors which are out of my control. Sigh.
Beautiful work, though. I’m sure you’ll think of someone who needs a shoulders-shawl.
Black borders would be wonderful on your afghan - but I understand the urge to just sew the darn thing after all this time! 
Can’t wait to see it!
Thanks Bron - I’m pretty pleased with how it looks too, just wanting more of it to look nice. You’ll like this pattern and I’m really looking forward to seeing yours and Barb’s versions!
Do you have a fireplace with a mantel? Could it work as a “mantel scarf”? It may be a little too wide (point to top), but if you folded that part under on top of the mantel, it just might work!
And the green would be a nice “Christmas” color, if you celebrate Christmas!
I can’t wait to see the finished afghan. Your squares are so cute, makes me want to try crocheting!
Natalie - Thanks for the suggestions - those are useful :) I don’t have a mantle, but I could drape it over the back of a chair - that wouldn’t be bad!
Go ahead and try crocheting; it isn’t hard and, if you’re used to knitting, you won’t believe how fast crocheting goes!
