Yesterday I wrote a very thoughtful and painstaking post that dodn't make it to my blog. Some sort of error occurred in IE and it all disappeared. So here I am again. I don't know if this entry will be as good (or bad) as yesterdays, but here goes!
This is Earth Maiden by Ilga Leja, knit up in less than a week of Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend dk.
First came the fiber. Back in September, celebrating a little judicial victory in Delaware, I decided to stop in to see Jacki at Wool Gathering in Kennet Square, PA. Wool Gathering is my favorite yarn shop and it's always fun to visit with Jacki, so it was a great way to celebrate. Not to mention that I now live 2.5 hours away and it was an opportunity as well!
After a happy greeting and a quick look around the recently re-arranged shop (love it!), Jacki introduced me to the Manos Silk Blend that had just come in. How can I describe this yarn...irresistable? Delicious? I didn't want to put it down. Couldn't put it down. Gravitated to the Autumn colorway and asked Jacki what I should make with it. (She always knows.) A shawl. So five hanks (850 yards) made their way into a bag and home with me.
Next came the pattern. A quick search on Ravelry netted several possibilities, but Earth Maiden was clearly the shawl for this fiber.
An finally, the knitting. It was such a treat to knit up this luscious fiber. The wool/silk blend feels yummy, and had no issues on my Addi size 8 circular. Moving up to a size 8 was the only mod I made to the pattern. I tend to knit on the tight side, so I felt it necessary to go up a notch on the needles. Which led to...
Potential Running Short of Fiber Panic.
I counted up the rows I got with each of the first two skeins and realized it was going to be close. Learned that Jacki did not have any more. Knit faster so as to no run out. Somehow I always think this will help. Well, it did. Bound off with 3.5 yards to spare. 3.5 yards. Not even enough for another row. Is that cool, or what?
The shawl is not yet blocked; it gets pinned tonight. I'll give you the final dimensions when it comes off the wires.
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