This week I had the nastiest toothache. Yesterday I went to the dentist and got it taken care of (root canal) and I’m much better now. While I had the toothache I was on painkillers.
During that time I finished my mom’s shawl. I was afraid that the shawl would be too small for her so I blocked the living daylights out of it. That’s all I thought of as I pinned this baby out.
Make it bigger! Bigger! Bigger!
That was a mistake.
Before I blocked it the shawl had a beautiful solid texture from the alternating stripes of garter and stockinette stitch. You can see a little of that still in existence here.
But you can really see the difference in this before shot.
I don’t have time to reblock the shawl. Mom comes home tomorrow and the shawl would need a good soaking and in this climate it would take at least two days to dry.
So the plan is to give her the shawl as is, then to take it back, block it again, and possibly add more inches to it. I didn’t weave in the cast off ends and I have more of this colorway so that won’t be a problem.
The main thing for me is that the shawl will be a complete surprise come Christmas Day. Glass half full!
The bright spot of my morning is Quincy’s new lazy spot.
How he finds that comfortable, I have no idea.
Happy Wednesday folks! I’m off to vacuum. Even if it kills me. :P
November 4th, 2009 at 11:19 am
erm. Yeah. should have warned you about that. :D
November 4th, 2009 at 11:31 am
It could be much worse darlin’! You could be without a shawl, or hate the color, or it could have been still too small when you blocked the heck out of it.
You did good girl, tooth ache and all!
xo
November 4th, 2009 at 11:51 am
I am so glad you’re feeling better today!
It’s not as bad as you think it is AND that is not the worst thing that could happen to a shawl. Ya know?
xo
November 4th, 2009 at 11:58 am
The shawl will work out fine. Now about that vaccuming – it will kill you. So don’t do it too often!
November 4th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I dunno, I kinda like it all open like that, and I love the colors.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Opal, you are still drugged out. That blocked shawl is lovely. Rest up and revisit tomorrow :)
November 4th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Ashley (a friend’s cat) used to sleep with his head IN my sneaker. UGH! Never could figure out why he enjoyed that so much.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Garter lace! I think it’s gorgeous.
Glad you’re better! poor baby.
Sheba used to sleep in a pair of leather loafers. After making out with them. Cats.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Glad the tooth’s better, sorry about the blocking woes.
Seriously, what is it with animals and laying on shoes? Juliet, in her younger days, would always lay right on top of my tennis shoes. Looked darned uncomfortable to me, but she seemed to sleep pretty soundly.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I never mix drinking & knitting and I appreciate the heads up on pain killers and blocking. The colors are beautiful and your mom will love it. I hope your tooth is better. Quincy looks too contented with himself.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Sorry about the toothache but yay! for painkillers.
I concur with the re-blocking. Structure and texture good.
Also, I wish I could sleep on a pile of shoes and be comfy.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Owie on the tooth! One good thing I love about knitting vs sewing…most of the time you can reblock :)
November 4th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
When I washed & blocked mine, I directed a fan at it and it dried over night.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
actually i thought it was supposed to be lacy like that! but when i see the unblocked, i can see why you liked the more solid texture.
at least 2nd chance and glad to hear you’re feeling better!
November 4th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Glad you are feeling better and at least the drugs didn’t make you take something irreversible to the lovely shawl.
Thanks for the heads up about the effect of drugs on blocking. :D
November 4th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
i’m sure you will be able to make that shawl beautiful! Glad your tooth feels better. Who knows what the criteria for confort is for cats. Quincy looks very comfortable!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:23 am
My cat sleeps on my garden fence. It amazes me how he doesn’t fall off. They must have a low level of comfort.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Glad you had the tooth taken care of! I bet the shawl will be lovely and she’ll love it to death! :o)
November 5th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
What, have you never taken a nap on a pile of shoes before? I used to do it all the time!…
November 6th, 2009 at 3:08 am
That’s so funny! Brodie will lay on shoes too! WEIRD!
Glad you got the shawl done. I think it’s pretty!
November 6th, 2009 at 5:51 am
It looks different. It does not look bad. On the contrary…
November 9th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
The shawl is such a pretty color. I’m sure your mom will love it without anymore fiddly shots of it!
November 10th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I’m impressed you were able to do anything throughout that dental and drugging ordeal! I hope you are feeling much better now.
xo
November 13th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Sorry about the toofs, Opal. Hope things have taken a positive turn in that regard.
Re: the shawl, it may not have been what you wanted (texture-wise), but I think it’s lovely.