Traditional Shetland Lace

Except that I'm using a delicious fingering-weight merino wool. It turns out I really enjoy lace knitting. Who would have guessed? This just may be the summer of shawls and stoles. I do gravitate toward lighter wool in warm weather. This is going to be so much fun. Challenging, but I'm up for it! This lovely yarn was a gift from my Mom, and I have 840 yds of it. Plenty for this. A lace stole with traditional Shetland lace motifs and construction.

More local wool.

If you frequent the farmer's markets of western Sonoma County, chances are you've seen two guys spinning yarn. That's what they call themselves, Two Guys Spinning, and they make some lovely yarns. The bulk of this hat is made from some local alpaca that they spun. I ran out just at the top, and its a good thing, because I love the spot of pink on top. Its more of the local Bodega wool. This is the only hat I wear. I love it.

Local wool hat.

Meanwhile, from the archives... I've probably made at least fifteen of these hats. It is my own (simple) design, with a built in lining. Sold some at our local farmer's market and have given a few as gifts. The wool was locally sourced, from Bodega Bay, and it is lined with alpaca. Extra warm, very soft.

Life after Girasole

Since completing my shawl, I've been taking a break from knitting. Its as though my masterpiece is complete, and I need time to let it soak in. I'm also unsure of what I want to make next. I was thinking another pi shawl, possibly even designing one. I have two skeins of a fingering weight merino/silk/silver that I'm ready to use (yes, silver flecks on a background of off-white!) Its beautiful, and it deserves to be something amazing. I don't quite have enough for a pi shawl, but definately have enough for a half-circular shawl. The wheels are spinning....

GirasOle!

I still don't have decent photos to share. Suffice to say, I love this shawl... so much I want to marry it! There was life before Girasole, and there is life since. A new Era in which I am in an eternal state of baby cashmerino bliss.
This project has satisfied on so many levels. First and foremost, it is based on pi (the idea that a circle doubles its circumference in a series of increases that double themselves and which keep doubling their distance apart) which is always a plus for this math nerd. I learned to read my lace instead of glancing at the chart so often. Rounds and rounds of 640 sts will do that I guess. The patterning would change just often enough to keep my interest. And the edging was fun to learn and all garter stitch (knit every stitch). Every stitch was a dream, really. I love this yarn.
And now I get to wear it and wear it before the inevitable summer heat arrives. Though I think it may be light enough for a summer evening wrap. And I say this often, but this really is the prettiest thing I've ever made.
This is also the biggest project I've ever blocked, and it was challenging. I didn't know how to properly pin out a shawl, and it turns out I didn't do it right. But I really like how the edging came out in my method! The points appear uneven and not perfectly pointy. It gives the shawl an Arts & Crafts look, which I love. I will re-block it properly at some point. It has the potential to grow a few inches.
Will definately be spiraling forth more of these in the future...

Better pictures to come, I promise, but I couldn't resist...

It's done!

Blocking makes a huge difference. The shawl looks nothing like it did 15 minutes ago! In fact, I wish I would have taken a before and after shot. Should be dry by this evening. If not, I'll be sleeping on the couch. Until I have proper blocking supplies, my queen size bed will have to do!