Darjeeling Shawl from Yarning for Ewe - Day 3
Switching gears...
I have to say, I am really liking the construction of this shawl. So many times a knitter starts at one end of a shawl and slogs on through the pattern—either top to bottom or side to side—until they reach the other end. It’s a linear process. That’s not without its benefits, but it’s a long straight line even if the pattern stitches change.
Not so with the Darjeeling. It is constructed in three distinct pieces that build one onto the other. I hadn’t realized how refreshing I would find that until I finished the initial garter stitch triangle and found myself switching gears entirely for the next segment. Great fun! This is the first time I can remember that the bind-off wasn’t the final step in a piece.
After I pulled out my new favorite tool, the stretchy bind off, I found myself picking up stitches all around those loops that bookended each row of the triangle. Suddenly, I wasn’t working from the bottom up anymore, I was humming around the two sides. Next thing I know, I’m turning the bottom corner in a straight line—which felt odd but actually worked. Now, I have a lace chart to challenge me for the middle section, and then a I’ll change directions one last time for the final lace edging.
While I’m sure this will be a stunning finished piece, the process has been the best part of the Darjeeling Shawl so far.
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