casey knits

I wanted a piece of handknit lace for a photography project, but didn’t have time before tomorrow’s lab-time to knit even a swatch, so I blocked the “point” of my current shawl in progress.

Before: bath scrunchy
After: leaf lace!

It’s amazing what water and a few pins will do.

As for the shawl, the pattern I’m using is this Blue Jeans Leaf Lace Shawl.  It’s the first time I’ve ever knitted a point-up shawl, and I’m liking it so far simply because it’s so darn mindless.  Without the increases in the center of a typical triangular shawl, there’s absolutely no thinking to be done except on the edges.  Right now, mindless = good.

I chose this pattern, not because I particularly liked it (I mean, I obviously do, but it wasn’t tops on my to-knit list), but because the idea that she got a 65-inch-wide shawl out of a single 440-yard skein of lace yarn intrigued me.  I’ve had this orphan skein of handspun, hand-dyed, wool-silk-blend lace yarn from Frelsi Farms, bought at the Fiber Frolic a couple years ago… the variegated shades of blue-violet, reminiscent of Starry Night, drew me in, but the yardage… only 265 yards.  I could have knit a cowl or a short scarf, but… meh.  I like shawls!  So I’m trying this pattern, and I’m aiming for a shawlette that’s maybe 45″ or so across.  We shall see, eh?

At this point, my greater hope is that the yarn softens with a good conditioner-laden soak before blocking.  Because holy cow, this stuff is like knitting with wire!