Well I can't believe today is November 1st. I really don't know where this year has gone.
Last time I wrote we were heading off to Dorset for a few weeks & I was looking forward to starting Hilo, the beautiful crochet shawl by Joanne Scrace.
I used the same as the pattern Fyberspates Scrumptious a 4ply sport 55% superwash merino 45% silk
in the shade Water and a 4mm hook.
It really is gorgeous and feels so soft definitely worth the £15 a skein price tag.
But I wasn't very careful when I came to unravel the yarn
This gave me a headache before I even started but my children weren't very keen to hold the wool as I had been for my mother.
I did a gauge
And was ready to go
Although it looks complicated its actually quite simple and has a lovely rhythm to it that makes it quite meditative.
A closer look at the pattern
The pattern naturally decreased as you went
I finished it quite quickly but it seemed a bit small so I took it apart and started again with a 5mm hook as I know I knit/crochet on the smaller side. It didn't take long to finish
up close
So now I need to 'aggressively block' according to the pattern so I tweeted Joanne who very kindly replied straight away
Joanne has a blog called Not so Granny and the next day a blog appeared all about blocking. It looked like I was going to need a blocking kit so I sent away for a set of non rusting wires and pins. However I am yet to block this as I need space to leave the shawl out to dry flat and at the moment I don't have the space which is a shame as I really want to wear my shawl.
Left unfinished
So what else have I left unfinished?
I also took on holiday the knitted and crocheted jumper that I took to the finishing course back in February.
As I had already sewn the body together I decided to have a go at the crochet pattern.
It looks ok to me so I carry on
3 rows in
looking alright!
I'm rather pleased with this so I do the other sleeve.
However I need now to do the neckline which requires time and concentration so I'm afraid the jumper is back in the bag......