Celtic Princess Braided Scarf from Yarn & Thread Expressions - Done!

It’s done!

The color continues to be my favorite thing about this scarf.  Red cables just make such a statement!

I tried at first to block this the quick way, with an iron and a spray bottle of water, but I wasn’t pleased with the results.  It still folded at the borders and puckered at the ends. So off it went to the more patient bath-and-pin method.  No shortcuts.

While it was soaking, I invoked the knitting universe’s favor by calling the hotel one more time where I’d left the Lady Fern Scarf.  This time, on the advice of a friend, I asked to talk to the housekeeping manager.  Either the guy is just genuinely nice, or he knows someone who knits, because he was very understanding.  He vowed to check the room right then—it was unoccupied at the moment but occupied on my earlier visit—and call me back.  I waited, hoping my extra care with the Celtic Princess might earn me favor with the Lady Fern (sounds downright mythological, doesn’t it?).  Karma, universal balance, Providence—whatever you want to call it, I was dearly hoping it would act on my behalf.  I don’t think God minds that I pray for something so small as a favorite scarf back, because He knows it’s not small at all.  Not to the person who labored over it for so many hours.

Nada.  You and I both know neither the universe, nor God, is in the bargain business.  While I am convinced the housekeeping manager has scoured the place on my behalf, even offering to pull the drawers out of the bureau for me on the last-ditch chance it slipped behind, my scarf is very likely gone.  I left it behind of my own mistake, and it is now to grace some neck other than mine.

But life goes on.  I have well and truly blocked my Celtic Princess and it looks much better. Take a peek—pretty, isn't it?  Thank you Yarn & Thread Expressions, for such a challenging but worthwhile project!  It is the perfect “first aid” to my current wound.

Celtic Princess Braided Scarf from Yarn & Thread Expressions - Day 5

Lost and...

I’ve been working away on the Celtic Princess scarf, getting my daily row count done like a dutiful DestiKNITter.  But today I have to talk about something else that’s happened.

I suppose it was just a matter of time.  Actually, I think it’s nearly miraculous that it hasn’t happened before this.  

I’ve lost one of my favorite knit scarves.

Now, I’ve given away dearly loved scarves and shawls, but that’s always been my choice.  I’ve even worn through a pair of favorite knit socks.  This, however is completely different.

I left the lovely Lady Fern scarf in a bureau drawer of a Dallas hotel room.  I realized it the next day, and called the hotel immediately, but anyone who travels as much as I do knows that it is nearly impossible to recover a lost item from a hotel once you check out.  I usually stay in small, boutique hotels and B&B’s to prevent just such a tragedy, but even that tactic didn’t serve me in this case.

“Nothing has shown up in lost and found.  Are you sure it’s in there, ma’am?” asked the manager.

“Absolutely,” I replied.  “I can tell you exactly which drawer.  I can even send you a photograph of the scarf.  Please, I’d very much like to have it back.”

“Housekeeping is required to check all the drawers when they clean the room after checkout.”  This seals my doom, for if the housekeeper involved were to turn in the scarf now, he or she must admit to either failing to check the drawers or keeping the scarf upon discovery.  But I KNOW it was there.  Someone has it—and that someone isn’t me.

My travels even took me back near the hotel a few days later, so I went back in person and told the manager she could stand over me while I checked the drawer.  “It’s possible the drawer has never been opened.  We’re fifty feet from the room.  Can’t you just take me in to check?”

“I’m sorry, that’s not allowed.”  Grr.

And now my scarf is gone.  Will the person who found it even realize how many hours were involved in knitting it?  I hate the thought of it being unappreciated.  I’ve made up a story for myself about its new owner to make myself feel better.  This new owner loves the scarf and feels pretty in it.  It’s her favorite color.  None of her friends or family knits, so she’s never owned anything hand-knit before.  

I don’t care whether or not it’s true.  It’s the only way I can stand thinking about that scarf around some other neck.

What are some beloved knits that you’ve lost?  Anyone have any good return stories?

Lady Fern Scarf from Hill Country Weavers - DONE!

I'm a Fern fan!

Before blocking

I absolutely LOVE how this turned out.  I think the fringe added just the perfect touch, especially when I combined strands of all three different colors.  It has that marvelous, retro-urban vibe that I associate with Austin, and I’m convinced it will be an accessory favorite of mine.

Blocked

This was my first experience with a dedicated fiber wash—normally I use just a hint of Dawn Blue—and I’m a convert to Eucalan.  The scent is marvelous, and no rinsing is required.  As promised, the linen softened up considerably after its first bath.  I’m really looking forward to wearing this!

The last panel turned out fine!

Speaking of wearing scarves, I’ve gotten many comments about my new Facebook feature, Scarf/Shawl selfies.  I wear some of my knitting almost every day, and here’s a chance for youth see many of the DestiKNITions projects in action.  Click here to visit my Facebook Page, and you can scroll through the recent installments.

Thanks, Hill Country Weavers, for a marvelous project!  Next up, a lovely, lacy cowl from The Knitting Nest.

Lady Fern Scarf from Hill Country Weavers - Day 4

Trellis Finish!

It took so very, very long to get that second skein of Shibui linen knit.  Five whole feet in total!  Honestly, I felt like I was going trellis-mad by the end of it.

The directions say to knit to the end of the second skein, but I elected to save out a small ball in case I decided I wanted fringe at the end of the scarf.  I’m usually not a fringe person, but I keep envisioning fringe at the end of this scarf.  I want to leave myself that option, and I’m willing to risk an inch of trellis to get it.

I found it amusing that the scarf is nearly as tall as my Christmas tree, so I had a little fun with the photography.  I needed to celebrate getting to the end of this trellis marathon.

I can hardly wait to change colors, stitches, and even needle sizes as I begin the last two segments.  It will feel wonderful!