18-06-2017

I’m using up a yarn that really didn’t resonate for me when I made my first project with it (a Susan Crawford pattern that goes with the yarn).

18-06-2017

Did the set up on the suggested needle size (2.5US) but it was too tight for my liking. Ended up on US3 bamboo. Its better.

I’ll say that I never find lace work relaxing - add in cables and I am not really in my comfort zone. It’s not difficult but it’s very fussy and the first few rows took forever. I recommend you read the chart because otherwise you’ll lose your place every 3 seconds. That’s bound to happen regardless.

24-07-2017

In the end, I am extremely pleased with this project and amazed by its complexity. The key to this garment is wanting to concentrate because, every other row, you have to think clearly and FOCUS. I would not recommend this for a beginner despite what other commenters suggest about its ease. I sense that the knitters who’ve been attracted to this are quite proficient. I knit A LOT and I make complex projects but lace work and cables are not my natural sweet spot. This project tested me - but it improved my skills and the end result is beautiful.

Also - I got exact blocked gauge (as was indicated in the pattern) on a US3 needle (not the recommended US2). What’s strange about this is that I usually have to go down a needle size given that I’m not a tight knitter. I guess that cables and lace really do impact gauge… My finished garment is 11” x 55”, which isn’t a large shawl, but man it took a long time. Not sure I’d want to make this bigger, even if could, although I adapted to the pattern as the knitting moved along.

07-08-2017

I’ve given this to my cousin Adrienne, who said she’d enjoy it. I hope it is worn often.