Test knit for Michael.

What a wonderful shawl pattern!

Technical notes:

Needle size:

About 4 mm is the largest size that will work for me and the motley assortment of scrap yarns. A few are light fingering. Did use 4 mm dpns to start, later went on a 3.75 mm circular needle. Will work=not be a holey fabric.

Colour choices……are legio! Possibilities, possibilities..

Mix of European sock yarns, (Regia, Lana Grossa, Opal) and some Australian too ( Stranded in Oz’ Glinda, Patons), American: (SWTC TOFUtsies, Kollage yarns), Scandinavian,( Garnstudio alpaca shocking pink and Garnstudio Alaska) , and finally some Ingrid’s handspun as well. How they are used, please read on.

Stitch count

If you get the beginning right as in the first triangle and the next couple of wedges so you get the hang of the pattern, the exact stitchcount doesn’t matter that much. Just get the YO in the beginning and the end of every other row right, because these are visible, and most importantly as well, the YOs in the ‘spine’ needs to be correct as well, then it will be fine.

Gauge

Didn’t manage gauge, one stitch more per 5 cm than pattern requires, spine a bit longer too, but wingspan is 200 cm!

Choosing colours

Normally this entry is found near the top of my notes. It is mch further down since this is a pattern with a lot of good suggestions and examples, so if you are not a confident colour knitter, go with the suggestions and it will be fine. I took a more slapdash approach to colours, yarn thickness, and fiber content and there were a few times when I was truly doubting myself!
Picked the first three/four colours to set the mood for the shawl as these wedges are really strong and visible, and then I just ended up picking random leftovers out of my bag, even selfstriping yarns for more effect, much more than I would normally do. Did switch yarns whenever the pattern called for it but beyond the first four wedges, just grabbed a yarn. If I ran out, just grabbed another and joined in. It broke up the colour block appearance of the wedges and created a more ‘wavy’ look.
Think of this as both a lifeline and a possibility.

Modifications

This is a testknit so there are very few. I have added a section in my test knit somewhere around page 4 in the pattern. I noticed that my stitch count was truly off as in ten stitches all of a sudden, but looking at what I was knitting, decided I liked it so much that surging on was my decision. Did offer to make Michael a no 2 where I promised to pay more attention, he declined, but we shall see. I think this pattern has great possibilities for color play, even greys, black and white with one ‘eye sore’ would be fun to try.
Needle size is not per pattern either. Since this is elastic garter, it stretches well.

Finishing

Aggressive and hot, wet blocking is always my preferred choice.
Now, using a lot of scraps and knitting a stretchy fabric, weaving in yarn ends as you go can be challenging, as these little buggers tends to dangle, become unstuck and generally become visible and annoying. Currently contemplating a crochet edge to keep these little pesky annoyances in their place.