Monday, January 22, 2007

FO: Branching Out

Mum helped me block the scarf and I'm SO happy with the way it turned out. The edges are a tiny but scalloped -- I guess we could have used more pins -- but it still looks great. And check it out with Mum's thrift store olive green coat! It's a match made in colour wheel heaven.



Pattern: Branching Out by Susan Pierce Lawrence
Source: knitty.com
Materials: half of a ball of Misti Alpaca in colour CA02 (Orange Melange)
Needles: a 24 inch US 8/5 mm bamboo circular needle
Started: January 13, 2007
Finished: knitting January 19, 2007, blocking January 22, 2007
Modifications: I didn't use the suggested yarn and I knit 30 pattern repeats instead of the suggested 36 because Mum didn't want the scarf to be too long. It's more of a decoration for her coat than a functional scarf.

Notes: This pattern was fun, but sometimes frustrating. As we know, the scarf fell off the needles several times and was a bitch to put back on. But I don't think that will keep me from trying lace again. I still have half of a ball of this yarn left, so I might just attempt another Branching Out scarf. My co-worker at the gallery was kind of eyeing this one up ... Here's Mum. The proud owner of a new lace scarf.

Oh, and I know I promised blocking photos, but we blocked the scarf on a variegated tan coloured carpet, so all the photos I took look like a big bunch of nothing. You can't discern the scarf from the carpet. Next time I'll put a sheet or something in a contrasting colour between the floor and the garment.

In other news, I ran all over town this morning looking for a 24 inch/60 cm US 11/8 mm circular needle and do you think I could find one? Nope. I checked out everywhere I could think of, including Zellers and Bargain Giant, but I couldn't find the right size. I might just have to call Halifax and get someone to send me one. Such a sad state of affairs. I guess those felted slippers will have to be on hold for the time being.

7 comments:

  1. I can lend you my US 11 circulars. I'm not sure how long they are, but they must be about 60 cms. Just let me know, and you can send them back when you're done.

    The scarf looks great!

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  2. Holy. That'd be awesome! You have my mailing address, right? I'll most definitely be kind to them and mail them back to you when I'm done.

    Thanks!

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  3. No problem, I'll try to get them in the mail today or tomorrow. I know you will be kind to them!

    I know the feeling of not being able to find the needles you need so I can sympathize.

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  4. super cute scarf... what a lucky mom to have such a great daughter and on top of that who makes such a sweet scarf ;)

    i dream the day i get something knited by you ;)

    always in photo and music,

    marc... aka bones

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  5. Wow, Ingrid! It looks great! And tell your mom I love the coat. :)

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  6. I forgot to ask - what does 'blocking' mean? Call me a curious non-knitter!

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  7. Hi Sherrie,

    Blocking is when you wet a knitted garment and place it on a flat surface to dry. You usually need to prod and pull the garment so it stays in the right shape and sometimes you need to pin it down. Like magic, the garment will dry EXACTLY the way you want!

    And thanks to everyone for your kind comments!

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Thanks for commenting!