2011 - The year of the shawl.

I don't know what it is, but I can't get enough shawls right now.  I don't even really wear them much.  I suppose the draw is that they are an interesting knit and usually move rather quickly and gauge/sizing doesn't need to be exact.  I have several sweaters on the needles that are still moving along, but the shawls seem to come and go at a much faster rate!


The highlights:
This is the Ishbel shawl and it turned out beautifully.  It was for my grandmother and I think it was a hit.  I used madelinetosh lace in one of my favorite colorways, mica.  It took FOREVER and I doubt I will make this shawl again, even though I love the result.  It was painstakingly frustrating by the end, with so many stitches and a somewhat tedious pattern.  The lace was a little hard to work with and it was easy to lose YOs.  Might consider making it again using fingering weight (which is what I think the pattern calls for anyways) as it will move a little quicker, but no plans in the near future on it.


Color of the yarn is closer to the lower picture. 

Cladonia - all time favorite shawl, already made three, fourth is on the needles.

I wear this one all the time and always get compliments.  Even though its lacy it doesn't look 'grandmothery'.  I used a sea-cell blend and so it has a bit of sheen to it and is really soft and light.  I wear it wrapped around as a scarf. 

Sothia - another favorite that I will definitely make again:

 

This was a garter stitch pattern that was very easy and turned out beautiful in the madelinetosh merino light.  The edging was pretty torturous just because of the sheer number of stitches.  I think I cut it about a half in short because I couldn't go on.  Despite that, I will definitely make again.