OhSewCrafty Blog

I started Aeolian, from Knitty, on June 14th and hoped to finish by the end of the month (I’m knitting the smaller “shawlette” size), but alas it was not to be.  I probably could have done, but I messed up, had to frog and that set me back a few days.  The edging was begun, then I got distracted by a new project.

    More on that later… Aeolian is my first “real” lace shawl.  I’ve knitted a few before, but they did not turn out.  Charlotte’s Web in Koigu; no offense intended but wildly variegated yarns are not my thing.  The Diamond Fantasy Shawl; a beautiful pattern but I made a terribly yarn choice, a cotton sock yarn that wouldn’t block out.  So this is my first shawl in a laceweight yarn, and the yarn is fabulous.  I bought it at a cool little shop in Apex, NC, Downtown Knits, and it’s an alpaca/silk/cashmere blend by Knit Witch, dyed in a shop-exclusive colorway.  The yarn is insanely soft, with a touch of silken shimmer.  I’m using darker beads which really pop against the semisolid royal blue.

My new project, the “distraction”, is Arielle by Kim Hargreaves. I started this on July 2 for the new SKC   KAL, for which we have chosen Ms. Hargreaves’ patterns as well as those by Marnie MacLean. I have grand plans for this KAL, seeing as I have several books by Ms. Hargreaves and um, 9 of her pattern planned with yarn stashed. I also have 2 patterns by Ms. MacLean queued/stashed. Obviously I can’t knit 11 projects in the span of 3 months, especially given half of them are fingering weight, so I will have to make some choices. ;In any case, I am starting with Arielle, in Knitpicks Comfy fingering weight. The yarn is quite nice, with a similar feel to the Rowan milk cotton, at a fraction of the cost. For this highly feminine design, I wanted subtle color and the cool silvery grey, “Whisker” fits the bill. Arielle is knitting up quickly, about as quickly as something at 7.25 st”/inch can, I suppose.