9/22/09

The GRS is done!

I finally finished the Gothic Revival Shawl; granted, it took me a while, but it's done!

The bind-off that was called for in the pattern is a stretchy bind-off. It took me a while to decide on what stretchy bind-off to choose from, but I eventually went with the bind-off that was found in Knitted Lace Triangles.

I had to change my tension greatly when I got to the bind-off; I normally knit tight, but since I wanted to try something different, I went a bit looser. Not only am I pleased with the results, but it did help with some knitting-related issues I have with my hands (My fingers didn’t hurt for a change, no carpal tunnel and no deQuervain’s* issues! Yay!).

All I have to do is block the shawl and it’ll be ready to go. I just need to get some blocking wires and blocking mats...

*Note: deQuervain's is inflammation in the sheath or tunnel that is around the tendons within the thumb (Think carpal tunnel for the thumb.).

6/20/09

Gothic Revival Shawl (or "Marie Revives from Boredom and School!")

Since binding off the Lotus Blossom, I took some time off from knitting (Basically, to let my hands have a break.).

During this interesting break, I've done several things:
1) Found out I was pregnant (I'm due in September!)!
1a) Newbie (That's the name for now; we have no clue who he or she is because he or she REFUSED to identify himself/herself with the last sonogram we went to.) says hello by kicking me. :)
2) Graduate from college (I iz edumacated, yo!)! I now have an Associate's in Web Technologies (After taking a year off, I'd like to go back for my Bachelor's in Information Systems; that depends on if/when The Husband and I have to move.).
3) Started on two knitting projects (I don't recommend that, especially if your attention span is as fleeting as mine).
4) Put in hardwood floors (Well, The Husband and the Father-in-law did.).
5) Had to replace our A/C unit (This was the most recent kerfuffle.)

The two projects: the Gothic Revival Shawl (found on Ravelry; click on link for more info) and a baby blanket (See? Aren't you glad I spilled the beans about the newest member of the clan before dropping this bit of knitting wonder?).

Eventually, I'll get pictures up (as well as something to help block everything that I've made so far). Apparently, that's not the only thing that's been falling behind in this house! I haven't even blocked the Lotus Blossom (I don't have a way of doing so for now; I'll have to find some cardboard or buy some blocking mats and lace blocking wires.).

In the meantime, I should be getting back to the GRS chart; I have to add two more pattern repeats somehow (Excel, here I come.).

1/16/09

I'm done!

I just finished the Lotus Blossom Shawl.

Instead of the bobble bind-off, I used a picot bind-off instead; personally, I prefer this bind-off than the bobbles. I'm not a fan of bobbles.

Anyway, I'll post pictures of it tomorrow. You'll get the BB and AB (Before Blocking and After Blocking) shots.

Now, I have to find my quilting pins; I may not have enough to block the shawl.

1/12/09

75% complete!

I am almost finished with the Lotus Blossom Shawl! YAY!!!

The yarn (Handpainted.com's Lace) nice to work with, but it gets fuzzy quick and it can be a challenge to unravel it if the strands are matted together.

Nonetheless, I'll be doing this shawl again; I'm quite pleased with how it's turned out (I'm sure I'll bite my tongue once I get to the bobbles; I've yet to learn how to make bobbles.).