Over the weekend I picked up the Hidcote Garden Shawl again. I think this shawl will always hold some memories for me as I had started it the day Hawaii experienced one of the worst earthquakes our state has experienced in decades. I still give thanks to the fact that all my family experienced was a day without power.
I left off the shawl after working the 3rd chart. On Superbowl Sunday (Yay Colts!) I was able to work through the 4th chart. As you can see it’s hard to photograph the unblocked lace and it resembles nothing more then a bucket of ass.
I’m using Jaggerspun Zephyr in the colour Sage. The needles I’m using are size 3US Crystal Palace bamboo circulars. I really like the way the bamboo grips the stitches so they don’t go flying off the needles as they tend to do with metal needles. I’m not super enthusiastic about the points, but I think I’m always going to have to sacrifice a little something when it comes to needles. The bamboo is also very gentle on my hands, which is the main concern I have when knitting.
I have left out the use of stitch markers since they started to become more of a pain in the ass then a help with this particular pattern. Moving them around to make centered decreases made them more trouble then they were worth. Luckily, the pattern of the leaves are intuitive enough that the stitch markers aren’t really necessary.
Before I go, I thought I’d mention a contest that Kristen is having here. She’s asking for a haiku about anything and she’s not being particular about talent! The prize is a gorgeous set of stitch markers. Go! Go look and let that poet inside of you come screaming out!
Lemma on 06 Feb 2007 at 2:04 pm #
Photographing lace is such a pain! At least the color is lovely.
Sue Johnson on 06 Feb 2007 at 2:37 pm #
Love that color of Zephyr. It may look like a BOA now, but wait until you block it. There’s another Opal heirloom.
Jenny Raye on 06 Feb 2007 at 2:45 pm #
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has a Hidcote that resembles…..well, what you said.
On the other hand your shawl below is just beautiful!!!!
Jeanne on 06 Feb 2007 at 2:57 pm #
Its looking good! Hmm…maybe I should cast on….I really need to figure out how to do a provisional cast on!
carrie on 06 Feb 2007 at 7:15 pm #
Go ass!
So, uh, how many charts does it have? (ie, is the end even remotely in sight?)
Wendy on 06 Feb 2007 at 11:48 pm #
That has to be one of the best post titles ever. Now I’m going to be walking around wonder what could possibly give someone green cellulite.
Alison on 07 Feb 2007 at 4:37 am #
Isn’t lace so amazing? Doesn’t look like much now, but when it’s all blocked out, it is just incredible. That’s one of the many reasons I think I like lace so much - the whole magic of blocking.
Shelly on 07 Feb 2007 at 7:50 am #
Oh wow! Looks like another wonderful shawl! Glad to see the Lace Knitting block has subsided! Keep on knitting!
Roseann on 07 Feb 2007 at 8:04 am #
I’d say it’s more of a pretty shawl in progress than a bucket. I love the sage color, the leaves look perfect in that shade. As I work through my curved shawl, I find your assessment of your bamboo needles very interesting. How are the joins on your bamboo needles? Beautiful knitting!
Meredith on 07 Feb 2007 at 10:19 am #
It IS rather butt shaped, isn’t it? Ahhh well, soon it will be shawl shaped. (I entered the haiku contest, too.) Kiss the cats.
wendi on 07 Feb 2007 at 2:19 pm #
Oooooo! That’s beautiful! It does not look like ass! I have to stash dive more before entering into other knitting arenas, like lace, although it calls…(more faintly)it calls…
With this weather we’ve been having lately, I’m really thinking I should have me a handknit sweater. Or start my husband’s sweater since I got all that cascade during Ben Franklin’s last $5 sale. Did you know they carry alpaca fingering now? Cool, is that a lace thing beckoning…
Veronica on 07 Feb 2007 at 9:08 pm #
Ohhh… I like that color of yarn….. me likes it!
See you soon!
Jane on 08 Feb 2007 at 3:52 am #
Dear Opal,
Just had to go check in the mirror to make sure it was not my ass you are knitting. Wrong color. You go girl!
knitnana on 09 Feb 2007 at 7:38 am #
Ah, Opal, aren’t we glad lace OPENS UP so with blocking! I know your Hicote is going to be stunning…and Shaped Triangle IS simply (or not so simply) GORGEOUS!
You’re so talented!
Frost Flowers & Leaves? Yup. I know you can do it!
(((hugs)))
the Akamai Knitter » on 13 Feb 2007 at 1:22 pm #
[...] The Hidcote Garden sits waiting for diamonds to be knit. The Pirate Hat waits for a lining to be sewed on. Meanwhile I have become utterly absorbed in the colours of the ocean and the beauty of the Pomatomus socks. [...]