The middle shade for my spinning project. Shade #2 is cooking in the crockpot. I'll have a picture tomorrow... assuming I don't forget to take one. I almost forgot to take a photo of the middle shade. What you see is all I have left to spin.
Since I get much more done when I have a deadline, I'll be joining the Ravelympics to knit my shawl. I'll be in the handspun "event" as part of Team Tardis. I'm Graybastian on Ravelry if you want to check out my progress. Don't bother looking tonight because I don't have anything up yet and I probably won't until the middle of next week. I need to finish my yarn to see what my yardage is and I still need to pick a pattern. I should have the yarn completed and washed by the end of the weekend. I could really use some suggestions on a good first shawl pattern. This will be my first project where I actually need either a chart or written directions. My basic socks and mittens are so easy, I stopped needing the directions a long time ago. I'll admit I feel very intimidated when it comes to following a chart. I get to knitting and find I have no idea where I am in the pattern; I get lost. I need to invest in a row counter and a bunch of stitch markers. Any suggestions on your favorite row counter would be appreciated? Also, any suggestions on where to find good blocking wires? I'm full of questions tonight, aren't I? Hey, if I can't ask my blog friends for advice, who can I ask?
row counters and blocking wires should be available at any good yarn store or craft store. I have a little one that slips on the end of my needle but you have to remember to turn the number to keep track of the rows, i think a hand held clicker one that you just click at the end of each row are the better ones. will keep an eye on your shawl progress - glad you joined the ravelympics :)
Posted by: val | July 30, 2008 at 04:38 AM
Do you have a guestimate as to how much yardage you'll have? Then you can start looking for patterns. :o) Here's a list of triangular shawl patterns by yardage: http://simpleknits.blogspot.com/2007/08/296-triangle-shawl-patterns.html
Posted by: elizabeth | July 30, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I saw somewhere on Rav, that someone (can't get much more vague than that , huh? ;) used aluminum welding rods. I believe you can get them 3' long and you may have to buy more than you need, but they're CHEAP. At least much cheaper than blocking wire kits. Good luck with the shawl I can't wait to see the progress.
Posted by: yarn-frog | July 30, 2008 at 05:53 PM