I have several projects on the needles, but I couldn’t resist this lovely hap shawl. Plus this lace yarn has been sitting idle in my stash for too long, so as happenstance would have it I cast on.

After skimming the pattern, I was expecting another chart, but once I started knitting it was easy to see my mistake. The lace pattern begins on what I would say would commonly be known as the purl side--if the back row was a purl row… By adding stitches before the marker when called for and then by completing the lace row as shown from right to left.

The pattern is easy to memorize. I like the fact that the designer, Kate, put the chart and the key on the same page; a sage and convenient plus for printing or Good Reader.

The yarn is hard to photograph well, but the finished pics show the vibrant colour, so I ditched most of the early pictures.

♦ Used a 3.75 needle to cast on so that the edge doesn’t pucker.

♦ Using an elastic bind off technique that is used especially for Shetland shawls. link text

July 4/14
Because I didn’t like the way the garter section looked, I changed yarns.

August 26/14 I’m in limbo on this project. Because I ran out of yarn, I put out an APB on Raverly but, unfortunately, no one answered it. Since then I have ordered yarn from The Verdant Gryphon and I am waiting for it to arrive. Although it looks close to the same colour, I am not sure if I will be able to use it. If not, I will frog a portion of the middle piece, or perhaps take it back to the long first section and revamp.

• Sept 10th. Blocking without blocking wires by weaving yarn through the top loops with a tapestry needle and wrapping the yarn around t pins on each end while pulling just enough to even out the puckers. I left the yarn attached to the ball so that I didn’t waste several yards. Also, of course, I pinned each point. I am happy to say that it worked out well.

As you can see, I was having fun and I got carried along and away…so I went a bit overboard on the pics! ☺
Oct 24, 2014 Finally wore my hap; once it’s wrapped properly, it’s so comfortable to wear.

A small blog post here.