What I did on my summer vacation…..

Helpful Hints:

• it took 396 beads to replace the nupps (I used the crochet hook method)
• I had approximately 300 yds left so used about 650 yds for this smaller size shawl
• preblocking size is 37” length & 19” spine
• blocked size is 58” length & 25” spine
• relaxed post-blocking size is
• other than using beads and lace weight yarn, I didn’t modify this pattern at all…it’s perfect!
• there is chart errata available online so check before you start this project!
• I did graft (kitchener) the small seam vs. 3-needle bind-off and it’s lovely and elastic and worth the extra couple minutes to use Nancy Bush’s instructions in the book (if you need a refresher like me!) ~ it’s really well written

lesson learned: I like lace weight yarn on size 6 needles….a lot…. but I really don’t care for lace weight nupps (5-st) on a size 6 needle….at all….very sloppy & floppy and much too irregular in shape….I frogged the entire middle section and will either do smaller nupps or replace with beads….ponder ponder ponder….

so, tried 3-st nupps with lace weight yarn on size 6 needles….still not dense enough….darn, I love nupps but this project is just not going to be perfect with them so I went and got beads today….I’m using size 8 matte metallic khaki brown round Japanese seed beads….you can see in the photo they’re an assortment of different shades of khaki with an occasional dark purple bead….I love these colors so hopefully they’re a good substitute for the nupps

I’ve finished the beaded section and am getting ready for the center panel ~ I love the beads! I haven’t been able to get a pic of the true color yet (it’s a grayish green ~ not dark or grassy like in the photos) and the beaded wip photos aren’t that great since I don’t have it pinned very straight on the mats, but you can see how it’s coming along. This is going to be such a beauty when it’s finished. It was worth all the trouble frogging the nupps and starting over again.

I’m close to being finished with the center panel and as much as I loved knitting Rock Island, I’ve found this shawl much more interesting. I was bummed and a little let down when doing the plain center panel on Rock Island but with this knit, every panel is different and challenging. It’s definitely a hard one to put down. The more difficult something is the more I tend to enjoy doing it and this one was pure bliss to knit. I’m a happy camper….

and the lace center panel is gorgeous!!!!