Wavelength Shawl from Holley's Yarn Shoppe - Day 6

Is "thru the back" worth it?

If this project teaches me nothing else, it has taught me what I dislike most in knitting:  purling through the back loop.  Even knitting through the back loop is enough to make me break into a scowl.  Doing either hundreds of times in a single row?  Yikes, somebody get me some chocolate!

Why bother? What does going through the back loop accomplish?  I figured if I understood the design goal behind KTBL and PTBL, it might make me feel better about endlessly digging my right hand needle through an uncooperative loop hiding at the back of my left hand needle.  So I went hunting.

A little research told me the stitch method intentionally twists the stitch to create a starker line on the opposite side of the fabric.  If you want to create a vertical or diagonal single line of stitches—as the border of this piece seems to incorporate—you’ll want to knit or purl through the back loop to get a line that stands out.

Is it worth all the trouble?  Tough to say right now.  I can’t quite see how the border pattern will play out because I haven’t blocked it.  So I am taking satisfaction in two important facts:  1) I’m finished stitching!  2) This baby is about to get its bath so it can transform into its final glory.  Because of its linen content, this piece will transform in both stitch clarity and texture.  It will get larger, have more drape, be softer to the touch, and have a more pronounced lace pattern—I can hardly wait!

But yes, this is going to be a "sevener"... so you'll get your payoff in a view of the finished piece, but it will be in the seventh post.  

Wavelength Shawl from Holley's Yarn Shoppe - Day 5

Make a run for the border...

It’s so refreshing to get to the border!  Sure, the rows are LONG—400+ stitch rows that take about 30 minutes each—but it's the border!  That’s like the victory lap without the last-minute anxiety of the bind off (which never fails to give me hives—I’m always so sure it won’t come out right).

Tonight I’m heading downtown on the train with my son to watch a live taping of my favorite radio show "Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me.”   Lots of great knitting time on the train, on the blanket in the park during the outdoor taping, on the train home.  This is one of the things I love about knitting—when combined with certain events (ones with lots of sitting or long waits), it just makes everything so much better.  Is it wrong that I am almost as excited about the long stretches of knitting time as I am about the show?

Still, these border rows require attention.  I can’t get so swept up in the moment that I botch my stitches. So I’ve made good use of stitch markers to segment off my repeats.  If I get into trouble, I want to catch it right away.  And if I’m having so much fun that I can’t pay attention to my knitting, well, then it’s a good reason to put it away, right?

I wish I had a better sense of what the finished piece will look like.  I mean, yes, I have pattern photos.  And sometimes you can stretch out a piece of unblocked lacework and glimpse the final result.  But not mine, and not yet.  I can’t quite see how this particular shawl will turn out.  Still, the weight, color, and texture already please me, so I can’t imagine I’ll be disappointed.

Wavelength Shawl from Holley's Yarn Shoppe - Day 4

For. Ev. Rrrr....

Forever.  That’s what it felt like to get these last two repeats of the pattern done.  The yarn-overs still refused to play nice with the stitch markers—please, someone invent a solution for this! 

And the Curse of the Top Down Shawl?  It’s still following me like a black wool cloud. No matter how generously I plan, no matter how much of a head start I give myself, the final segment of some all top down shawls always feels like an endless sludge to the finish line.  Sore shoulders.  Cramping fingers.  Backaches.  Posts that are three and four days late.  Ugh.

Previous times, I have episodes of knit-worthy TV shows like Outlander and Smash to binge on while knitting excruciatingly long (400 stitches!) rows.  This time, it was just me and the conniving Underwoods pounding our way through season two of House of Cards.  When I hit that final stitch last night at 11pm, it was as if the storm finally passed.  I actually look forward to knitting again.

Which is good, because I’m not completely done. I’ve got the edging pattern to do now, but for some reason that doesn’t feel quite so bad.  More like the home stretch.

I hope. Stay tuned.

Wavelength Shawl from Holley's Yarn Shoppe - Day 3

What is it with yarn-overs and stitch markers? Why can’t they get along?

It seems I’m always working with a pattern that places a yarn-over next to a stitch-marker.  I can see why it happens—sections of lace design are often separated by lines of yarn-overs—but it’s so frustrating when the stitch marker sneaks under the yarn over to mess up my stitch count.  I suppose I could try using larger stitch markers, but I hate how they feel in my hands, sticking up off the needles to poke at my fingers and palms.  Knitting is a highly tactile experience for me.  I don’t like anything that interferes with the pleasure of the yarn and needles in my hands.

I’ll admit, it’s been a problem in this section of the pattern.  It helps that I can line up certain design elements to see if I’m in the right place (an excellent reason to use charts for lacework).  The best solution I have found is to go back over the needle before I begin a wrong-side row and make sure the marker is where it is supposed to be. That means either after the yarn-over in rows 22 and 30 or before the yarn-over in rows 26 and 34.  Complicated, but necessary.

Things don’t line up in neat rows on this pattern.  The lacework columns of yarn-overs wiggle a little bit as they run up the center section.  I’m sure it will block out nicely—lacework never looks good in the knitting, but acquires its true beauty after a bath—but it’s troublesome right now.  I never know if I’ve truly messed up.  Luckily, I’ve never been off by more than one stitch, and that feels like a small enough error that if it is a mistake, it won’t be noticeable.

The rows are getting longer...I can feel it.  Can I escape the Curse of the Top Down Shawl?  Only the next posting will tell.

Wavelength Shawl from Holley's Yarn Shoppe - Day 2

Right-sizing....

One of the things I’m most looking forward to in this project is the size.  I’m not a small woman, so shawlettes don’t have a lot of versatility for me.  A full shawl, however, can be worn as a shawl, a cowl, or a scarf.  So I’m delighted to be working on a full shawl, even in a summer weight like this.  It always feels that much better to be wearing a full shawl.

Speaking of feeling, everyone keeps asking to touch it. It’s the linen quality, I think—they want to know if it's soft.  It’s not yet, I explain, but it will be.  It will hold its shape well, but still be light enough for summer wear.  There’s a reason linen has always been the go-to summer fabric.

I admit to a bit of hesitation about the lacework panel.  Given the soft color, the design doesn’t stand out very much yet.  There’s a few photos of the shawl in a more vibrant color on Ravelry, and I really like them.  In the beige tones, however, it doesn’t seem to pop.  Yet. You can’t judge lace before it is blocked.  I absolutely must reserve judgement until the end on this one.

The good news is that I’m early in the project and I already know I have mastered all the necessary stitch patterns.  Knitting is a place where “more of the same” is a comforting thing.  My job now?  Keep going and don’t mess it up.

Wavelength Shawl from Holley's Yarn Shoppe - Day 1

Just the right Wavelength...

This is a perfect summer project.  The fiber, Classic Elite Bella Lino linen/viscose/cotton blend is light and airy.  I have a good, cozy neutral beige winter shawl, but I need one for warmer weather.  The gentle undulation of warm colors—browns, tans, grays, and creams—gives texture and just a bit of interest to the knitting.  For now, working with only one 50 gram ball, my project is highly portable even with its long circular needle.

The yarn is a bit stiff—it is, after all, 58% linen—but I know that will soften once this baby gets its first bath.  The ball is like a squirmy toddler; it wants to unwind.  I find I need to keep it under close control so that it doesn’t unravel and tangle.

Yes, this is another top-down shawl.  I know, I just know it’ll be grueling at the end.  I’ll be slogging through the long final rows, whining to you about how many stitches there are.  To help in that challenge, the designer places panels of mercifully quick-and-easy garter stitch on either side of the lacework center.  I’m hoping this will keep me from pulling my hair out in my inevitable final dash to the bind-off.

The lacework pattern—with its expanding repeat in rows 21-34, takes a few readings to grasp. Read the note and the pattern a couple of times until it becomes clear. Essentially, each set of row repeats adds 14 stitches to the section; enough to host an additional stitch repeat. So you don’t repeat the first “repeat”—you just execute it.  It’s complicated, but once you catch the idea, it’s whack-your-forehead simple.  Stitch markers, which get shifted at the end of each set of 14 rows, will help ensure you’re exactly where you need to be.

DALLAS, TX - Day One

Dallying in Dallas...

Anyone my age gets a mental image of J.R. Ewing when you mention the word Dallas.  Certainly, there are no shortage of stereotypes attached to this Texan city.  But we DestiKNITters, we go beyond the stereotypes to have unique adventures of the yarny (and yes, the sugary) kind.

I was in Dallas for the most fun of professional reasons, to accept the Reviewers Choice Love Inspired Book of the Year from Romantic Times Magazine.  Any reason to don an evening gown and give a speech is a good thing for this former theater major.  But you know me—I couldn’t let it go at that.  I had to go find out what some of Dallas’s yarn shops had to offer.  I was not disappointed.  Let’s get started on this first of two days:

Panini Bakery & Cakes

6063 Sherry Lane 

Dallas, TX 75225

(214) 363-1225

www.paninicakes.com

You probably already know I believe in bakery goods for breakfast.  When you start you day with dessert, life just goes better.  Here, thanks to a tip from my sources, I indulged in their signature white chocolate mousse cake with raspberry filling.  Outstanding.  All the joy of a sugar rush without the ick-too-much feeling that comes when the frosting overtakes the cake.  They make a dark chocolate and a cappuccino version as well…I may need return visits! If you can’t stand the thought of so much sugar at breakfast, they do “Lunchboxes” from 11- 2.

Next, on to our fiber find:

Holley's Yarn Shoppe

5211 Forest Ln

Dallas, TX 75244

(972) 503-5648

holleysyarn.com

Tucked in at the northeast corner of Forest and Inwood you’ll find a friendly, inventive yarn shop eager to welcome you.  Owner Susan Holley Wellik is a bundle of energy.  A former marketing executive and stay at home mom, Susan “needed a clubhouse” to host her knitting passion, and she’s made a terrific hangout for the rest of us.  The congenial, encouraging atmosphere lets   you know you can bring your thorniest knitting problem here and get good help.  “Let’s find a pattern you will like and use” is Susan’s service model, and it keeps a loyal band of customers coming back again and again.  

Most classes are set up as “open help” rather than focused on specific projects, but there are some technique offerings to boost your skills.  Susan is a big believer in toe-up socks for teaching. ”All the skills come right up front with toe up socks.”  Her classes offer a “lifetime guarantee”—you can keep coming back until you get it right, no matter how long that takes.

Susan stocks the store by weight—a smart choice given the Texan climate.  She selects yarns by touch—“Here, it’s all about the tactile.  We don’t layer much in Dallas—whatever you knit is going to touch your skin, so it has to feel good.”  She’s right in that thinking, and right on target in her products—this whole store feels good!

Can’t decide?  Here are some projects to consider:

Cowgirl Shawl

Grab 2 skeins (or roughly 200g) or any long striping yarn plus another 50g of a complementary solid, and you can whip yourself up this sturdy yet flirty wrap.  This one is made from Cascade Casablanca with a ruffle of Borrocco Lustra.  Any worsted weight you’ve got hiding in your stash will work as well, but go for a long striping variety to give you the eye-catching vertical stripes that make this piece pop.  This is a good first shawl—there is a lot of basic stitching but with enough design treats to make a novice knitter feel accomplished.

Market Bag

Whether or not your city, like Dallas, has recently banned (and as of today un-banned) plastic bags, here’s a perfect project.  Lots of versions are meshy and open, but sometimes I want one a bit sturdier.  This one fits the bill, with a nice little touch of tassels.  It works up with two hanks of a nice cheery bright like Rowan’s Creative Linen—but be warned:  this one calls for a LOT of i-cord!

Silk Wrap

Sometimes a full shawl is too much, and you just want something light and cute to punch up an outfit or keep the air conditioning off your neck.  This wrap showcases the color and texture of Silk Jewel beaded mulberry silk to fabulous results. The beads mean you’ll get great eye appeal whether you choose a bright tone or a versatile neutral. Great gift or vacation knitting!

Dallas Top

Well, of course we’d need to include Tahki’s Dallas top done up in 6-11(depending on sizing) skeins of Aruba cotton linen blend.  Following Susan’s “it has to feel good against the skin” motto, this project is stitched up in reverse stockinette for a smooth and comfortable wear.  The soft tropical color combinations let the texture do the talking.

Once you’ve filled your project bags, head to:

Liberty Burger (right next door) or

Liberty Burger Lakewood

1904 Abrams Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75214

(214) 887-9999

givemelibertyburger.com

Yes, there’s a location right next to Holley’s if you’re tight on time, but you may want to consider this other one if you’re going on to the park (see below), or aren’t hungry enough to eat before you spend time knitting in the great outdoors.  Whichever location you choose, just don’t do takeout.  You want to dine-in so you can experience the “Adult Shakes”—spiked milkshakes! And you might want to check out the website first, because not all Adult Shakes are available at all locations (which might influence your choice).  Me?  I ended up choosing the Nutty Monk (yea Nutella!) but would have been just as happy with the Mudslide.  We don’t have these in Chicago, and boy-howdy that needs to change…

Ready to soak in some Texan sunshine?  Head to:

Klyde Warren Park

2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, 

Dallas, TX 75202

(214) 716-450

klydewarrenpark.org

Image from klydewarrenpark.org

This one you’ll have to take my source’s word for, because it was raining every single day of my visit to Dallas.  The 5-acre green space hosts hundreds of events and is a great place for a relaxing afternoon of alfresco knitting or just hanging out.  There’s a full service restaurant and a walk-up kiosk if you haven’t stuffed yourself earlier, as well as an enticing collection of food trucks (a Texas “gotta-do” in my opinion).  Fourteen different areas and features give you endless ways to spend your time. The Dallas Museum of Art is close by if the weather turns surly.  

End your adventures by ducking just a few minutes east to:

Kate Weiser Chocolate

3011 Gulden Ln 

Dallas, TX 75212

(214) 326-6419

http://kateweiserchocolate.com/

Art you can eat!  Like the Christopher Elbow chocolates I discovered in Kansas City, these confections are as much about how they look as how they taste.  Honestly, you could pick your next Color Affections Shawl combination from any of these “handpainted” chocolates.  Inventive shapes, wild colors, luscious flavors—these are so much more than a box of sweets!  Select a few that catch your fancy and eat them staring at the stunning new Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.  I chose toasted coconut, sweet potato (yes, really!), and hazelnut latte.  A feast for the eyes and the tongue, and the perfect way to end my first day in Dallas.

Dinner—if you have room—can be anywhere you choose.  Just stay away from the barbecue, because that’s on tomorrow’s docket!