I finally surrendered to the massive case of startitis I’ve been fighting and started a new project last week. I reasoned that this was a special project and that this was a goal I had set for myself from the very beginning of the year.
Oh yes, I had all sorts of justifications, but in the end it really doesn’t matter. What matters is that I have something on the needles that delights me to no end. It’s the Flower Basket Shawl and I’m using my very own handspun yarn.
I did get off to a rough start though. I began with size 5US/3.75mm needles and the resulting fabric was less then delightful. I just didn’t care for the stitch definition.
As much as I hated to admit it, I had to start over on smaller needles. Ripping out what I had done was a careful process as was more then a little nerve-wracking. I kept thinking that the yarn was going to crumble beneath my fingers! Of course that wasn’t the case, as the yarn isn’t nearly that delicate. Paranoid? Who, me?
Once I was done with the frightening frogging of the handspun, I started knitting once again with size 3US/3.25mm needles. Before I had gotten through the first repeat of the second chart, I knew I had made the right decision.
The difference might not be quite as discernible to others, but I can see it and that’s what counts. Since then I haven’t been able to put this down. This is how much I’ve been able to get done since Saturday.
Working with my own yarn tickles me endlessly and helps keep me entertained with this relatively simple stitch pattern. I keep stroking the material that I have created from the very yarn itself and the feeling of wonder never ceases.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
How nice that you are knitting such a gorgeous pattern out of your own handspun. It looks so lovely. Enjoy!
August 13th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Surrender, indeed! And what a lovely way to go, my dear. I can tell the difference by the way :o)
August 13th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
It’s beautiful!! And the handspun is just gorgeous!
August 13th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
So glad that you got over that frog pond visit… as scary as it was with your own handspun!
Its worth it! That is beautiful!!
August 13th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Verrrry nice! And such fine yarn. It must have taken forever to spin and ply.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
It looks really wonderful! Well do I know the satisfaction of knitting with yarn you made yourself. You can be forgiven for starting a new project:-)
August 13th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Your own handspun – what a thrill!!! It is lovely. I look forward to progress reports and lots of pictures,
August 13th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Somehow you just know, when the gauge is right, don’t you?
Nice work babe – will look forward to mofre progress shots.
Blessings!
August 13th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
OOOh, yes, you must trust your instincts! Look what a difference there is, and you just knew it!!! Good decision to rip and restart–that is going to be very beautiful. It already is!
August 13th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Definitely better on the smaller needles. Looking forward to watching the progress.
August 13th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
it’s looking good! i’m in love with the color – it reminds me of blue jeans – am i seeing the color right?
August 13th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
I love the pattern in the new yarn!! (HP email to follow!)
August 13th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Er, I mean, in the new gauge! Ha ha! My trigger finger is a tad too quick!
August 13th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
HUGE difference!! Sheep to shawl, huh? Cool :)
August 14th, 2007 at 2:10 am
I love your Flower Basket Shawl in your handspun! Isn’t knitting with your handspun the best? I like the improved stitch definition with the smaller needle, sometime I just can see what works till I knit for a while. Beautiful work! I hope you and your family are safe with the challenging weather in your area.
August 14th, 2007 at 2:33 am
The difference is noticeable, and size 3 is better. Like the ants on a march are more cohesive and well fed in the second picture! Cool that you’re using your own handspun. I love these fibertrends triangular patterns, they’re the best.
August 14th, 2007 at 2:50 am
“…the feeling of wonder never ceases…”
Oh, do I hear that! I’m not a spinner but I am a dyer and when I’m working with yarn that’s come out of my dye pot I have exactly the same feelings and thoughts that you experience knitting with your own handspun.
Your yarn is truly lovely – beautiful color (I always say that, don’t I? That’s me, I guess – all about the color…heheh)
You were right to change the needle size – the difference is quite noticeable and the second effort looks much better than the first. I can’t wait to see it finished!
August 14th, 2007 at 3:28 am
That’s so exciting! And it’s just lovely….hope you stay safe against “Flossy!” I’ll be thinking of you today…
(((hugs)))
August 14th, 2007 at 8:03 am
What an awesome color! Hope Flossie is moving on past your islands.
(Looks like we’re facing some tropical business maybe….here we go again … trying to reason with hurricane season!)
August 14th, 2007 at 9:19 am
The difference is definitely noticeable, and you were right to get it just the way you want it to look, because it is indeed a very special project! It’s going to be gorgeous.
August 14th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Absolutely gorgeous, Opal! This is going to be an inspiring piece for you, I can tell!
huggggggssssssss
mm
August 14th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Wow I’m so jealous! I’m gonna go get my spindle…,
August 14th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
It’s soooo lovely! It will be spectacular when it’s done!
I know how you feel…I’ve been swatching and ripping for two days. sigh.
August 14th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Awesome! Your yarn is really nice, and I do see the difference between the two needle sizes.
August 14th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Very cool to be working with your own yarn. Can’t wait to see the finished project.
August 14th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Nice! And how exciting that you are using your own handspun – its going to be beautiful!
August 15th, 2007 at 8:20 am
I am envious that you have your own handspun to work with. My attempts at spinning my own lace have been really frustrating. Your FBS looks lovely. It’s going to be pretty spectacular when you are done with it.