Luna Moth in Hyacinth

Here is my progress on Luna Moth so far. I have just completed the third repeat of rows 15-34, with Elann's Peruvian Pure Alpaca in the Hyacinth colorway. Love that purple! I want a larger shawl, so in my mind, I would like to do two more repeats, but in reality, I may end up with one more before starting the edging.

Moonlight Sonata FO

SK's lovely design! Thanks for the fun.
Made with 8 repeats instead of 10. Used 4 balls of Elann's Baby Silk on #4 needles.
It would have been nice to have blocking wires so the little loops along the top edge would be round. I knit the picot bind off a bit too tight so couldn't get it to make nice little holes.
I had no idea that I had picked a challenging pattern when I decided to make Moonlight Sonata, I just thought it was pretty. It didn't take long for me to get used to concentrating on all the rows though. I will definitely make sure my next lace project has a purl row every other row.
My detail was a bit washed out from the flash. I will try to take a better picture in the daylight. Not promising.

Marie's Luna Moth

Here's my Luna progress so far. It's coming along. :-) I'm surprised I managed to get this far with all the other stuff that's going on in my life right now, mostly house hunting, you can read about it on my blog. Looking forward to finishing the shawl...

.

Amanda & her Peruvian Cuzco Wrap

Amanda, for some reason, comments are not enabled at your post the other day about your cuzco wrap so I am moving it here for comments. I would not worry about stitch definition. I've knitted with Cuzco and it shows zero stitch definition even when blocked. Your pattern is supposed to be fuzzy and it looks to me like you found the perfect yarn for it. I also love those colors. Keep posting!

Luna (moth) Shawl progress

I took Luna off the needles to see exactly what 7 or 8 repeats (I lost track) of chart 2 look like and decided I want another repeat, or two, before the final edging section. For most people, she'd have been long done a few repeats ago. But I am aiming for a warm, woolly, cozy, toasty winter wrap for my drafty New England house. (You know, something appropriate to go with flannel PJ pants and UGG boots.) Since I am up to nearly 300 sts in a row already, this equates to total pattern fatigue for me so I plan to set Luna aside for a while and pick her up later in the summer. I am loving the yarn, Austermann Peru (doubled) merino & alpaca. It is bar none one of the softest, non itchy wools I have ever handled, on the order of malabrigo. Or Fleece Artist BFL. Love this stuff. I plan to start either Luna or Sun Ray soon in cotton as a gift. Still deciding. Callista yarn is what I am considering. Or maybe Luna (yarn) for Luna (shawl)? My fingers may rebel but we'll see.

I enjoy watching everyone's progress and enthusiasm.

My attempt @ Moonlight Sonata

First let me say OT "Happy Mother's Day " to all mothers, in any shape or form. :D

Here is my question since I don't have picture to post, but started on Moonlight Sonata.

(total sts 101,125, 149, 173, 197, 221, 245, 269, 293, 317) <<<< what does this mean?
When I did R1 it worked out I do have 101, but now what are the subsequent numbers?
I notice that they are different as I move along. R3 is different than R5 and so on.

Am I repeating this whole stack of rows again? (R1-R12) x3? or x10?

I'm so sorry if this is a stupid question I just didn't know where to turn to.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Patty's Luna Moth Shawl

Originally this was supposed to be a travel project, since I will be spending around 45 hours roundtrip air and airport time starting Tuesday. I cast on, finished first pattern repeat and staged a couple other projects for the whole trip. But the other projects were staged, being a little easier to memorize, and the Mom's day projects finished, so I picked it back up and now the Luna Moth Shawl is done and ready to be worn on the trip.

I am always amazed at the difference blocking/dressing lace makes. Off the needles the shawl was about 36 inches wide. It dressed to 48 inches. I love lace!

Getting close to the finish

In spite of baby duckarama, I've managed to get to row 29 of my 5th repeat on Luna. After I have finished the 6th repeat I'll decide whether to do another repeat. I love the fabric the luna yarn makes but it's a little tricky with the rayon/cotton because of splittiness. It's dark, so no pic, and I can't fit the thing on my scanner but I'm happy with it. Still wondering how it's going to block but instead of swatching and blocking the swatch, I'm just going for it. ;-} I hope to finish tomorrow or Monday. Oh yeah, baby, a finished object is at hand!

Took a Wren break today...

It's the middle of the month and I am just getting started! (I took a break from my Wren sleeves.) Wound some CTH Silken Mohair up this afternoon, and printed up a copy of Luna. Why is it soooo much more interesting to do a few rows of this than it is to do sleeves?

Hold that pose!

Here she is--blocked and ready for storage. The Lisa W. inspired shot is on the left. This photo took several attempts--had to get proper coverage of the region to which the shawl points. My six year old is getting quite adept with the camera. I'm going to have to start paying her. Thanks again, Lisa, for hosting this KAL and thanks to Michelle Ciccariello and Elann for a terrific pattern!

Finished knitting

The knitting is done. I only did 8 repeats because I wanted more of a shawlette than a full blown shawl. Tomorrow I will get to see the true beauty of this pattern when I block it.

Check out The Walker Treasury for a swatch of the original lace pattern as shown by Barbara Walker. It is called Sunspot in her book. SK did a brilliant job of translating it to a triangular shawl.

progress on peruvian cuzco wrap

minus the cusco yarn, here is my wrap/shawl so far.



I am using Moda-Dea, thick and thin yarn. I really love the yarn, the imperfections, the texture and little bit of gold. The colorway is called Tootsie, all of my favorite colors. Was this the best yarn to use for this shawl? I don't think that the pattern shows as well as it could. But now that have some pointy needles and am used to the double strands it is knitting up quickly. Lots more to do, but not bad considering I have ripped it out 15 times! Ha.

541 stitches later . . .

WOW! I'm so amazed by all the shawls that are done! They are gorgeous and I'm totally intimidated. I've just started mine. I'm making the Pacific Waves Shawl in the Sonata Print Rose Garden. I love the color and am excited to see how it turns out. However since it requires casting on 541 stitches that in itself is a herculean accomplishment! Also it only reduces the equivalent of 1 stitch per row and there are a total of about 60 rows so basically you are knitting on somewhere around 500 stitches per row for THE ENTIRE SHAWL! It takes me quite awhile to knit each row. So far I've finished 8 rows. I noticed a problem in the instructions for Row 5 - after you knit the center stitch it doesn't tell you what to do until you get to the part where you are supposed to start the 14 waves again. Also oddly enough I noticed on the Elann site that the instructions for the solid Pacific Waves Shawl are actually different than those that are found in the Rose Garden one. Very strange! Is anyone else making this shawl?

- Res Ipsa Knit with Her

Hi !! Newbie Warning

Hi, Everyone, Oh my goodness ! What beautiful shawls ! You ladies should be very proud of yourselves. I only hope I can knit one.

I am having a problem tho. I can't get the Luna Pattern to download. It keeps sending me the 'can't go to this page' error.

Also, could someone suggest a pattern for beginner/intermediate?
I got my ' swallowtail pattern' yesterday and tried the cast on. LOL !! I was Stumped !

I have faith in myself tho. Not a quitter !

Thanks for inviting me to the group. I can't wait to get started on a shawl.......Star

Gosh I don't remember when I started my sunray shawl, but I finished it yesterday. This is the second one that I've made.The first one that I made is the red one and it was a Christmas gift. It is such a well written, easy to follow, pattern. Once again thank you SK for sharing your talent with us. I used Jaeger super fine merino and KP #10 for the yellow one. I did one extra repeat and blocked the bejesus out her.It is heading to Japan tomorrow to my DDILwho is in the Air Force and currently stationed in Tokyo. I will make another of these very soon.

Marie's Luna Moth

Wow, you guys are speed demons! I've made a little more progress on my shawl, and hope to finish this before the next Ice Age, or at least try not to be the last one here to finish. ;-) I love working on this shawl, it is so well written which makes it so much easier to follow. More on my blog.


.

Hello!

This is my first knit-a-long! I usually miss the boat on things like this, but I found it when I was searching for pictures of the Moonlight Sonata shawl. I'm knitting one in handpaintedyarn.com's laceweight in Damask Rose to go with a dress I'm wearing to a wedding on May 27. I don't know if I'll get it done in time, but I'm going to try!

I actually got started on this KAL

Never thought I'd find myself posting on a blog :) I rarely read them and nearly never comment and here I am with my own post.

Decided the plane today was too crowded for work, but it is never too crowded to knit!
Thus I stole a little knitting time and got started. I'm doing the Luna shawl in cream Lara, yummmm. No pictures yet, but I'll try to find a camera or use a scanner after hours.
SK - the pattern is amazing.

Can't believe so many shawls are so far along. it is really fun to see all the pictures. Thanks for setting this up.

Elimination Round 1

You're GONE!

Some might mistake this for 35 rows of the Luna Shawl in Idena EVITA (cotton/viscose/linen blend). Others would recognize this bad ball for what it is...frogged! This shawl has officially been eliminated. More like disqualified for misbehaving. It's thin and thick properties combined with a stringiness to make me realize that it needs a tighter knit pattern, as in less hole-y! Well, less than "holy" is how it's been behavin'! I should have stuck to using it for a SunRay...but that will be another day, another KAL!

I'm now down to two shawls! But I really don't see there being a 2nd elimination round. The second shawl is just as hard to put down as the mohair Luna. Probably because it's totally different from the Luna. It's heavy where the Luna is light; it's chock full of knit stitches compared to the lacy Luna...not a lacy hole to be found (not intentionally, anyway!). And the heavy duty Highland Chunky is like huge...huge stitches, huge needles, huge-in-your-face progress! I feel like a hearty maritime sea captain down at the tavern every time I pick her up (Ever been to sea, Billie?)!!

Compare to the demur, lady-like Luna, that is.

So, here it is...the start of my Highland Wool Wrap. It looks like the cables are getting weird, but they're not (I HOPE!). It's just the photo was done with the scanner and it was kinda like doing a mammogram to my poor wrap...things got flattened that weren't ever intended to be squished !

The gentle little mohair Luna has seen a few rows but nothing like what some of you speed demon Luna knitters have been producing. But with this baaaaad Evita back in her box, the Luna and the Wrap should see a bit more lovin'!

Hmmm....Now might be a good time to ask: Is there a time limit on this KAL...

Okay, Here's The Real Action Chez Jayne

A woman I like very much has recently found out that her daughter is very very sick with a rare form of brain cancer. I feel just awful about it. I've met the daughter, and she's a dear one: lovely, lively, younger than me. It's just not right.

My friend is a knitter, and she loves orange. I am knitting her a suprise comfort shawl in a bright orange and buttercup yellow mix.



You've probably already recognized the pattern as Sunray. I am really enjoying the knit. It is smooth and easy and rhythmic. I can have the TV on or not. I could see making this shawl more than once.



I am knitting it up in some of my hand-dyed yarn. This one is the soft washable mercerized wool that I have in several colorways over at my etsy shop. I really like knitting with this yarn. It's a worsted weight and very soft. It slipped so smoothly along on my 6mm ebony Lantern Moon straight needles until I got to the third repeat and decided to move it over to circulars.



I'm trying to knit this shawl before doing any other knitting. I'd like to be able to give it away within about two weeks.

Finished SunRay! (But behind on the Weekly Wrap-Up)

Whooooooooo....Finished my SunRay! Great pattern...easy to follow....tinked quite a bit in the fourth repeat (due to DreamGirls distraction)...but basically had the pattern down flat by the 5th repeat. Did 6 repeats total...Used Elann.com Highland Wool in Violet Heather...Size10 Brittany Birches to start with, then switched over to KPOptions (love those KPOptions!) 6 full skeins and about 1/4 of a 7th! Finished size is 80" x 42" (yeah, I blocked the bejeebers out of her!) And I totally, totally love it. Started (early) April 29....finished May 6....It's a WRAP!


Blocking photos per SK's request! (Thank you so much SK for the great pattern! You restored my self confidence in lace knitting!) please ignore shoe detritus at the photo edges...too lazy to crop!





Next on the needles....a Luna for Juna...in elann's Adara...Fern would be the color of choice!

More details on my blog!...And honestly, bad KAL hostess that I am, I will get the weekly "wrapup" later this week!

Happy Knitting!

I'm Late To The Party!

Better late than never...

I spent some time yesterday reading the posts and comments here and looking at all the gorgeous work in progress and finished work. Wow! This is an inspiring site. I hope the shawl action continues for a while 'cuz there is such a sense of accomplishment and momentum here.

Part of me is a bit flabbergasted -- didn't y'all just start, like, yesterday?

I am porting over some bits from an archived post on my blog. This is the Moonlight Sonata shawl I started in March. I am about halfway through the fourth repeat now, but it has been sitting around for a while. Shui Kuen asked me to report on some of the things I discovered while knitting it.



The yarn is Mondial Giada, a sport-weight merino/silk blend that is softer than a baby's cheek. I dyed it myself in a colorway I'm calling Moonlight(when it is lighter) and Midnight (when it is darker). This would be Moonlight. I'm using 4mm needles.

The tricky bits to keep an eye on are:

It is not as difficult a shawl to knit as it looks, but I would not recommend it to a beginner. You do have to pay attention to both sides of the knitting. What I like about that is that it is a constant check that I have not made mistakes. I count every section like a litany. I can't knit this one with a talking book or TV or music, or anyone else in the room. But that's jut me.

Watch for S2KP and SK2P: You need to do both of these, and it can be easy not to notice the change.

When YO before a purl stitch, you have to wrap the yarn around the needle twice. When YO before a knit stitch, you simply have to keep the yarn in the purl position.

The double increase takes getting used to. You do the back stitch increase, then the front stitch, the slide that off; THEN pick up the vertical loop from behind with the left hand needle.

And concentrate!

Shui Kuen says that once you are past the first two repeats of the moon pattern, it gets easier as you can see what is coming and read your lace. I've never been good at reading lace, but Shui Kuen is right. I have caught a few potential errors easily because I can anticipate what I should be doing next to make the moon pattern come out. Cate can probably comment on this too, since she is also knitting the shawl.

I am knitting Sunray now too, and I am in the third or fourth repeat. It's going very smoothly. I find it an easy, rhythmic pattern to follow, and I love the day-glo orange and soft buttercup yellows of the yarn I'm using. I can't report on the Sunray shawl on my own blog, since the recipient reads there sometimes. I'm planning to take pix and post a report here later today.

Victorian Lace Shawl finished

I've finished! I can't believe how quickly this shawl knits up. No pictures (alas) remember I have no digital camera on hand, but I'm working on it.

All I have to do now is soak it and block it. I can't wait for my four daughters to see it on Mother's Day.

Susie

Incan Clay Yarn pR0n!

My gorgeous, delicious, beautiful Incan Clay Sonata Print yarn arrived today! Take a look at THIS!
I just LOVE it! I was afraid it might turn out to be too Halloweeny, but the light grey has a tinge of blue in it, and the dark grey has a breath of brown, I think. The russet, peach, and apricot clay colors are nice as well. Here's a bit better representation of the colors:

More at my blog.

Stick a fork in me....



Here she is unblocked and lounging on the lawn.
The first section is Elann HW in Wisteria which transitions into HW Dusky purple which transitions to Sierra Aran in Hyacinth for the final rows and bind off.






Alas, I have no master blocker. Just lil' ol' me and my pins.

For those of you interested, I think I used 5 balls wisteria, 2 dusky purple and two hyacinth. I thought the bind off would use more yarn--turns out it used way less than half the skein. I could have done a couple more rows. oh well. I'll post a final picture as soon as she's dry. Love this pattern! What should I make next?

Lisa, your Sun Ray Shawl

Lisa, will you please show us a picture of your Sun Ray shawl on a blocking stage. I would love to see how the edging is being pinned.

Just Getting Started and Loving It

I have just finished my second repeat and I am loving this pattern. The yarn, Elann's Luna in Green Tea, is a little tricky since it tends to split but I like the feel of the knitted fabric. I wonder how it's going to block. Maybe I should have done a swatch???

Yes, Luna is finished

Four skeins of Pure Peruvian Alpaca from Elann in Atlantic Mist, and size 9 addi turbos. I have plans to make this many many more times. Thanks SK for such a beautiful pattern.

rounder shawl...

I am wondering what kind of shape the Moonlight Sonata ends up. Is it a half circle? More than a half circle?

The Pattern probably explains, but I am brain dead today!

Sun Ray Shawl knitters....

I thought you might be interested in reading about my Sun Ray shawl battles a few months ago.
Ornery Sun Ray Shawl. In fairness it was the yarn and not the pattern. I did finish her tho' and pics are there. I would like to do her again this time in some sort of yellow, as inspired SK.

I didn't knit a stitch all weekend on my Luna due to an unexpected houseguest but he just pulled away so I will pick up the needles again and get her finished in a day or 2.

Marie's Luna Moth

Here's a pic of my Luna Moth after completing the first repeat. It doesn't look like much. Can't seem to get the needles to behave and lie flat. I don't know how you guys get your knitting to spread out so you can take a photo. You can read more on my blog.


.

I need help-- More ways than one!

I am making the Sun Ray for my daughter's birthday May 18. I am on row 15, I do not understand what it means to increase. Ih ave 43 stitches, not enought to do 10 increases on each side??? And it appears that they have reversed the k2tog and ssk, can someone explain to me how I am to make this grow wider? I have been knitting for 10 years and feel like an idiot, asking what is probably a simple question! Page

Moonlight Sonata Closeup

I am posting my first Moonlight Sonata Closeup pictures which is knitted with seasilk-a gift from Benne. Happy knitting!

Moonlight progress

I've finished the third repeat of Moonlight Sonata - phew. I'm starting to get in a rhythm. Lace sure looks messy before it is blocked. Can't get the color right in the pictures, though. It is an indigo or denim blue. I am using Addi Natura's, size 4. They seem a bit pointier than the Addi Turbos. At some point, if I keep on knitting lace, I will invest in some Addi Lace needles. I don't have a job right now so am on a total shop-from-my-stash, no spending diet.

Grace's Luna

My Luna Moth in progress using Elanns Pure Peruvian Alpaca, a simply gorgeous yarn to knit with. I will be adding additional repeats since I have more yarn, this is my daytime, pure daylight project. Everyone is doing such gorgeous work, it inspires me to make so many more.

needles question

I have cast on my Peruvian wrap. While I did/do have the correct size needle, I know they aren't the ones for this job. I am they type of person who can read and hear the right way to do things over and over, but I still need to find out myself by doing. My size 15 bamboo needles aren't pointy. Any suggestions for a good large needle that is very pointy? I have to go and buy them today, so I have them ready if I get knitting time in this weekend.

Thank you in advance. Amanda

Have I decided on only one yet?? Hmmmm.....

Here is one of the 3 shawls I've been deliberating over. This is the Luna in an ebay no-name mohair. I have to say I LOVE the rhythm of this pattern, clickety-clack-clickety-clack, extremely soothing. And the yarn is very nice, considering it's mysterious properties!

The other Luna that I started is being debated; if not frogged in the next few days, I'll post a pic.

The 3rd shawl is the Highland Wool Wrap. Though I'm lovin' the challenge of this one, there's no rhythm happening here...I need my total brain in high gear and at full attention. Needless to say, progress is a bit slow as, I'm kinda using my brain for other things (like walking and talking and feeding myself)!

Here's the first progress shot of the Victorian Aran Lace shawl in HW Wisteria. She looks a bit wonky but hopefully nothing that blocking won't iron out. As you can see, I'm onto the vine lace portion and she is just zipping along. I think this is going to be a wonderful, cozy shawl! I've only got a couple more ball of Wisteria--look for a color change soon. Happy knitting, everyone!

Off to a slow start...

Looks like everyone is off to a good start, either early or on time. I still haven't cast on yet. DH did manage to print out the Luna Moth pattern and gave it to me last night. Yay! :-)

This will be my very first shawl, so I'm leaning towards using a WW yarn to help me stay motivated. So I'm thinking of cast on with HW in Red Maple, which I have 4 balls of. I hope it's enough. Of course it helps to know I have Sandra to fall back on; she says she has Red Maple HW in her stash.

I haven't figured out which needle size to use. US8 or US10? The pattern says US9, a size I don't have. I guess I need to try both and see. Or maybe just jump in with US10 and see what comes of it.

The pattern says to use a US H crochet hook for the provisional cast on. My one and only crochet hook is a US G. I don't think that should make any difference. I've been meaning to pick up a few more crochet hooks in some other sizes (especially smaller since I seem to be heading in that direction). Do you guys feel strongly about crochet hook brands as you do about knitting needle brands? Or are they all the same?

I've been working on a lace scarf recently and was going cross eyed looking at the row pattern instructions. Then it dawned on my that I could use that "lace book" thing which I had used a couple years back. I totally forgot about that. I've been dumbed down over the years, lol. It's only 10 rows of instructions for the Luna Moth shawl, so I think it'll be easier for me to jot those row-by-row instructions onto index cards. That way I know I'm following the right instructions instead of straying off to an adjacent row's instructions.


.

Finally! Progress on a KAL!

Here is my so-far progress on Luna Moth. The yarn is the Filati Fantasia Cezanne that Elann had last year, in the Straw colorway. I like the way the yarn is knitting up, though it does tend to split just a bit. This is about 2 evening's work; I quit working lace when my eyes get tired. I've started the 2nd repeat of the main section here. I have 300 yards of the Cezanne, so I'm thinking I'll have a nice-sized shawl.

I like the look of the new version, in the darkish green Callista, but whew! That's a big shawl!

Hi shawly girls, I did finally locate the Austerman Peru I needed to complete my Luna shawl (I skip the moth part bc insects gross me out). It actually located me when one of the readers of the Elann Swap board read my "Desperately Needed" post. I've done about 5 or 6 repeats of the main section of the shawl (that's what happens when you stop a WIP and misplace your project notes) and will do 1 or 2 more. I want a long cuddly shawl bc the Austerman Peru is totally the kind of yarn you'd want to be enveloped in. I am toying with the idea of doing it again in a summer weight like the newly launched elann Calista but I'd like to find out from people first if it's slippery (a negative for me). I am also toying with the Victorian Lace because I have nothing like it.
Anyway, I enjoy reading the posts. And please go on over to my VT pal Amanda's blog and help her with her yarn dilemma and give her shawl confidence a boost!

"You must choose, but choose wisely . . . "

Wooohoo! I decided. I changed my mind from Sun Ray to Pacific Waves, explained in comment seven of my previous post.

My Previous Post & Comments

I just chose Incan Clay for my colourway, in Elann Sonata Print. I can't wait until it gets here! I might practice the stitch pattern a bit before it does, though.

I think it is going to look just smashing, and the changing colors will also help keep my interest. Not that the solid color needed to show off Sun Ray's pattern wouldn't; I just couldn't resist the siren call of these gorgeous Sonata Print colourways . . . .

Plus, I think I've been reading the No-End-In-Sight Ripple-A-Long blog too much; it's a ripple shawl!! Lol . . .

Welcome, Mingle, Show Off Your Progress!

The response from the cybersphere has been incredible! To date there are 33 knitters signed up for the Elann Shawl Knit-a-Long! And there are still 14 invitations out that have not yet been activated. I had no idea this would be such a popular KAL! I'm liking it a lot! Several folks I know (yeah, me included) started prior to May 1. One knitter even had the nerve to finish her Luna! Svetlana is such a fast, talented and prolific knitter! Your Luna is stunning in the purple!
Congrats on having the first FO of the official KAL! I wonder how Joan's coming along in her search for more yarn to finish her first Luna? T is almost finished with her gorgeous green Luna that is truly evocative of SK's original inspiration (go back to her post from 4/29 on this KAL!) in green Paton's wool.
But this KAL isn't all about the Luna...oh no...there's a lot more knitting going on....I've seen an Adara on the needles, and a Moonlight Sonata. There's Victorian Lace happening, a Peruvian Cuzco,(go help Amanda decide upon a yarn for her luscious wrap) and a couple of SunRays (including mine! whoohoo!) I'd post a photo but am having technical difficulties with the camera that just returned from a little trip w/ the DH...(OK techno guy...what didja do to my camera?)
Just a few tips for folks new to blogland. If you want to review from day one, just scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "older posts". Or go the sidebar and see if what you want is posted under the archives.
I'll be doing a weekly wrap (get it..haha!) of all KAL participants who've posted, along with the photobucket or flickr on the sidebar for the fabulous finished objects beginning this weekend. Hope everyone is enjoying the lovely spring weather. Knit on!

Moonlight Sonata started

Made it through the first pattern repeat yesterday. I had some trouble with the Double Inc instructions and didn't like the way mine looked. I consulted Montse Stanley to no avail so I just made them the only way I know how. K1, K1tbl, K1 all in the same stitch.

The Baby Silk is a pleasure to knit. I am glad I made the Swallowtail first or I would not have had the gumption to try this pattern.

Cate

Victorian Lace Shawl Begun!

This is my very first Knit-A-Long, and I am so excited to participate! I have been dying to try making the Victorian Lace Shawl, but was a little intimidated by the lace knitting. Seeing the all the beautiful pictures of works in progress and finding out that there are other folks like me who are new to lace knitting and KAL's gives me hope.

Last night I cast on and started the English Mesh Lace section. It is a little slow going so far, but I think I am getting the hang of it.

Thanks to Lisa W. for setting me up on this KAL blog! It is inspiring to see everyone's progress. Maybe I will have a picture of my own to post soon.

Adara Rainbow Shawl

May 1st finally!

Here is a pic of my shawl so far :

I got to learn and practice a new technique for this project : increasing by adding stitches at the beginning of a row. I will have to increase again soon but that will probably be the last increase that will still be comfortable on the needle length I'm currently using. My longer US7 circs are otherwise occupied by an unfinished strap for the equally unfinished bag that got brazenly tossed aside when I received my yarn for this shawl. So I guess I will have to take the time to finish the strap if I want to free the needles and keep knitting the shawl!

Happy knitting-along to all! : )

My first KAL

Hi Everyone!

Thanks so much, Lisa, for the invitation and for hosting this shindig. This is my first KAL so bear with me while I try to figure this blogger thing out.

I've decided on the Victorian Lace Shawl in HW (varying shades of purple from the stash.) I'm in stash-busting mode right now and this is the perfect project to use up some of my HW (from my fervent felting days.) I've even managed to cast on--on the official first day of the KAL!

Happy knitting, everyone!

My Luna so far...

Here it is, first of May! Although I have had a bad case of cast-on fever lately, I have still managed to get a bit done on my Luna, which is from Paton's Classic wool, and probably about as big now as the original shawl. I am making mine bigger. It is cool how, unblocked, it is sort of even more shaped like a Luna Moth.




I wouldn't call this blocked. I just sort of pinned it out, dry, to see what it looks like. I want to make it much bigger - I want a really cozy shawl out of this. I may have to go try to find the same dye lot....