In which I am a joiner
I’m not much of a joiner, never have been. Most of the time I’m perfectly happy doing my own thing, at my own pace, in my own way, but apparently not this summer.
It started with the KnitGirllls’ Stash Dash. (Here’s the official Ravelry thread). I’ve never done a stash down or a yarn diet before, mostly because I like my yarn stash, and see no need to stress out about it, or try to get rid of a large chunk of it. Plus I’m a student which is kind of like being on a continual yarn diet, without a solid end in sight. But the stash dash isn’t so much about getting rid of stash as it is about knitting (and spinning and crocheting and weaving) a crazy amount (5 kilometers, 5000 meters, just under 5500 yards) in a relatively short period of time (between May 27th and August 15th), which makes it ok because crazy goals are fun, and there’s nothing saying I’m not allowed to buy yarn. I’ll be at 2258 yards, once I add my latest shawl by the way.
Then there was Tour de Fleece. (Rav group). Never participated in Tour de Fleece before either, but I figured it would help with stash dash, and I had 1/2 a pound of a green merino/silk blend that I knew I needed motivation to spin, and keep from languishing. So I figured heck, why not. 1.6 ounces are spun and plyed so far, plus some more are singles. I don’t know what the weight of the remaining fiber is, but I’d guess about 5 ounces (I’m not measuring for fear that I’m really far off in my guesstimate, and I have something much closer to 8oz left).
And yesterday afternoon, it was 11 shawls in 2011. (Again, here’s the Rav group). I like shawls, and I like a challenge, and I might be a touch crazy. ‘Nuff said, I’m doing it. Plus there are some stunning shawls and amazing knitters in that group. (I haven’t dared count how many shawls I’ve knit so far this year, but I don’t think it’s very close to 11 yet).
I guess I should probably get back to knitting.
PS. The pattern for Mirror World should be out later this week. Fingers crossed.
Zodiac le Plume
July 12, 2012 update: “Zodiac le Plume” was originally part of The Sanguine Gryphon’s Spring 2011 pattern collection, and is now available directly from the designer (me!).
The pattern is now available for purchase as a download for $8.00, either on Ravelry, or directly through the blog … buy now
I mentioned Zodiac le Plume in my last post a couple of days ago, but I’ve got a handful of free minutes again today, so I figured I’d better do a proper post now before something else comes along and eats up all of my time.
I’m also trying something knew, so all of the pattern details (yarn, needles, gauge, etc) are listed at the bottom of this post instead of on the Original Designs page.
Swirls and curls created by little pin pricks of light floating across a solid field, flit and flutter, combining and intertwining to give the impression of uncontrollable chaos. Only by prolonged and careful observation will order eventually emerge and the secrets of the stars unveil themselves.
Knit out of two skeins of the Sanguine Gryphon ‘Little Traveller,’ Zodiac le Plume is a crescent shaped shawl begun at the back of the neck and knit through to the hem. Just before the bind off, an increase row is worked, to ensure that a thorough blocking is possible.
Yarn: The Sanguine Gryphon ‘Little Traveller’, 4 oz/560 yds, 100% superwash merino, 2 skeins, shown in ‘Tintagel’ (Standard colourway)
Needles: US 3/3.25mm 40”/101 cm circular, or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: 4 stitch markers, tapestry needle
Gauge: 22 sts and 38 rows = 4”/10 cm in washed and blocked St st
Blocked Dimensions: 23.5”/59.5 cm down the center back
Skills Used: cable cast on, knitting and purling, k2tog, k2togtbl, k3tog, k3togtbl, sk2p, ssk, yo, decrease bind off, weaving in ends, and blocking lace
Both charts and written instructions are included in this pattern.
