Learning curve

This is the result of me trying my arm at crochet.

Let's ignore the fact it's not exactly the weather for wool scarves, a photo opportunity is a photo opportunity after all.

I didn't tell the full story in the first line - this is the result of me trying my arm at crochet without reading the pattern thoroughly.

This is a version of the One Skein scarf in the Stitch 'n' Bitch Happy Hooker book. I admired one made by blogless (to my knowledge) Ella, who goes to Glasgow Knit 'n' Stitch and had a brief look at her pattern and decided to give it a bash in a very gung-ho manner, and of course, let's lengthen it, and of course let's sub a different yarn of a totally different weight. Let's not worry about the fact you're not very crochet-savvy.

Well, it came back to bite me in the bum! The foundation row, or cast on as I will call it, was far too tight in comparison to the body of the scarf, meaning it curves in a rather astonishing manner! It seems that the Happy Hooker would have you use a hook 2mm larger for your initial row, which makes perfect sense now that I read it after the event.

Anyway, it IS wearable, as a sort of collar pic #1 at the neck of your coat to keep the wind out.

Pic #2 shows you the nice colour of the Twilley's Freedom Spirit (2 1/2 balls) in "Bliss" shade 508and my Swarowski love heart brooch.

Pic #3 shows you how much it wants to curve curve curve.

Enjoyed making it, and I will wear it and LEARNED A LOT about crochet. x K





Pic #4 is Lindsay the Llama who finally came up to the fence at Balcary Bay.

Action shots of Swallowtail shawl

All together now
"I believe I can fly...I believe I can touch the sky..."
These photos should enlarge when clicked.
Unfortunately, there's no feature for brushing your hair after the event on my photo editor.
BTW check out my shadow on Picture One.
Thank you for all your kind comments so far.
Happy Birthday dear Photographer!

Swallowtail Shawl

Here's my finished adapted version of Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark as featured in Interweave Knits.

Click picture to enlarge.

Mine is adapted in that it doesn't feature the Lily of the Valley section, because lovely as it is, it was too awkward in my chosen yarn. As well as that, this one has a good few more repeats than the original.I learned my lesson with the Shetland Triangle last year.

I really enjoyed knitting this. I used Rowan Damask in shade #46, Lava. I kind of stumbled into using this, I would never have considered using this for a shawl but I enjoyed making the headscarf so much, and got plenty of positive feedback, so I decided to go for it. I ended up using 5 balls of it and it will be a lovely summer wrap, or for posh occasions. You listening DH?

I was happy that when I unpinned it the peaks just edged back slightly, they didn't jump back, they obviously weren't too overstretched when blocking, they WANT to be pointy peaks.

Hope to take some outdoor action shots over the next couple of days.

Don't know if you can see the slight glossy sheen on the right side.

I cobbled together a way to get the edging to flow from the main "budding lace" pattern as I didn't use the "Lily of the Valley" section. Took a bit of sums but wasn't difficult, having knitted a few Evelyn Clark shawls before.

This is the "B" side, which looks quite pretty too IMHO.

Galloway days

Having a lovely holiday during a mini-heatwave!
Been out visiting Scotland's most southerly point

Mull of Galloway

Knitting away on my adapted Swallowtail Shawl, may even cast off tonight!

Meet the neighbours

Off on my Easter holidays now. Lace knitting for all I'm worth.

Can you see my neighbours in the adjoining fields? Beautiful chestnut horses and a lovely llama!!! Noble beast.

Our other neighbours are bouncy baby lambs. I love the wee black ones.