unblocked shawl hot off the needles
Well, the new skein of yarn arrived mid-week (another 100 grams) and I got it wound and resumed my work on my 198 yards of Heaven Shawl.
Remember, this is supposed to take approz. 198 yards of Aran-weight yarn. Between the two skeins of Handmaiden Sea Three (Blackberry) I should have had approx. 164 yards per skein on a #8 needle. That's 328 yards altogether, right?
Now keep in mind I used a #7 needle so my mileage may vary but I figured I'd have PLENTY of yarn left over from the second skein even if I went a little over the 198 yards.
But somehow, once again, I figured wrong.
Do not adjust your computer monitor. You are really seeing this shawl 2/3rds bound off and only a few inches of yarn remaining. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?
Not to be thwarted I used some of the yarn from my skein of Amethyst (because the purples are close enough for one row to blend) and finished binding off. All the while, I was trying to understand why I was short so much yarn AGAIN!
Handmaiden Sea Three, Amethyst
Well, when you look at my blocked version of this shawl you'll see.
There are supposed to be 8 points on each side and I have , count 'em, 10. Yup, that's right. This would be why the top of the shawl does not stretch out from side to side as in the original pattern. And you can see that these extra 2 points ate up a lot of yarn.
But you know what? I'm okay with that. In fact, I kind of love the way the new shape curves so perfectly around the shoulder.
I'd love to tell you how you too can alter this shawl pattern to look the same as mine, but to be perfectly honest, I don't have a CLUE how it happened!
Don't you love it when a "mistake" turns out to be an improvement? That happened to me with a spaghetti sauce and I've never gone back to the original recipe.
Your shawl is stunning and the color is fab!
Posted by: Joanne | 09/25/2011 at 11:14 PM
Hello Joan,
I am back from my Summer 'siesta' (at last!)and it is lovely to be catching up with everyone again!
Your shawl is beautiful my friend...and isn't it great when a mistake just turns out to make an even lovelier item?...I love your yarn choice too...and it looks so pretty on the top photograph there...
Wishing you a lovely crafty weekend,
Susan x
Posted by: Susan | 09/30/2011 at 01:16 AM
It's lovely!
Posted by: Kim F | 09/30/2011 at 07:58 PM