Color Affection Shawl from Bliss Yarns - DONE!

Color Affection Bliss from Bliss Yarns!

And now, for the first time ever, a video installment to finish out this project.  Watch me try on the Color Affection Shawl for the first time.  It turned out beautifully!  Thanks, Bliss Yarns in Nashville, for a chance to catch this national knitting craze.  Will you become an "affectionado" next?

DestiKNITions enters the video age...whoa, it's a whole new world.  

Next up, we continue our Tennessee wanderings with a visit to Chattanooga. 

Color Affection Shawl from Bliss Yarns - Day 5

We meet again, enemy mine...

Here it is again, my knitting nemesis, the uber-long final row.  I love shawls, I wear them all the time--they’re practically a trademark for me--but the ones that start from the top town always make me nuts.  I’m not an especially patient person, and when a shawl starts with a five-stitch row and ends with a gazillion-stitch row, bad things happen.  I think those final rows took me 15 minutes each, even with my speedy continental skills.  Doing a patient bind-off--a crucial bind off like this one?--well, that may require a glass of wine.  I admit it: I’m nervous I’ll botch this at the finish line.

The trouble with this shawl is that you can’t really see how it’s coming out.  The entire time you are working on it, it is arching in a curve that is opposite how it will eventually sit on your shoulders.  The curved end is forced straight on your needles, and no one (sane) has a set of circ’s long enough to see how the outer edge looks all laid out.  You can’t judge this one until it’s off the needles.  The control freak in me hates this kind of dynamic.  I need to know I won’t cringe when I get it off my needles, and that’s not yet possible.  See, I told you knitting was like life.

A few thoughts as I finish this up:

• I do love the colors I have--all Valentine-y red and such--but think solids in contrasting colors really are the best hue choice.  I’m still playing with the idea of a red,white, and blue version.
• This makes excellent “watching” knitting--TV and such --but wielding the three balls for the middle section makes it a poor choice for out of the house knitting unless you’re better at multi-ball wrangling than I am.
• Take some time and research the various top-edge coping mechanisms other knitters have tried and see what you think might suit you.  I don’t know how mine came out yet, but I’ll try and give a full report next episode.  Stay tuned!

Color Affection Shawl from Bliss Yarns - Day 4

Inefficiency is our friend?

It’s funny how we bend the world to our knitting needs.  I’ve had one of those weeks where lots of care-taking has been going on.  In my head, I think of it as sitting at someone’s doctor’s appointment, bedside, chairside, etc.  I always picture myself knitting.  No, that’s not exactly right; I always picture myself getting LOTS of knitting done.

It almost never works out that way.  Care-taking never seems to be about quietly sitting by someone’s side.  And then there’s the scheduling, the appointments--the day I plan to get lots of knitting done waiting for medical tests is the day they get us in and out in record time.  

What am I left with then?   I was planning on sitting through three hours of various downtown tests yesterday, but instead we got done two hours early and then I had to take the boy shopping until the final appointment because we were too far from home to double back! Really, you can’t say to a companion, “Since we’re done early, you’ll need to sit here and watch me knit because I’m behind on the blog.”  Well, you could, but I guarantee you it wouldn’t go well.

All of this is silly, of course.  I should be delighted things went so well.  And no worries, all tests confirmed the son is doing great.  And I should be delighted that the elderly person I was tending earlier this week was up and about instead of lying in bed. 

It feels ridiculous--because it is ridiculous--to get frustrated at efficiency.  The rest of the world doesn’t understand that waiting time or downtime is precious to knitters! Inefficiency is our friend.  But I know you understand.  And I know you’ll be kind to me when I explain that all the above is why it took me all week--instead of three days--to finish this short row section of the Color Affection Shawl.  It’s beautiful, isn’t it?  I think it will be just perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Next up is the final solid band of burgundy.  Oh, my, those rows are very, very long.  Let’s hope I get an inefficient week, shall we?

Color Affection Shawl from Bliss Yarns - Day 3

You ain't seen nothing yet...

Did I say the last part was where it got tricky?  

Forgive me, I misspoke.  NOW is where it gets tricky, carrying not two colors but three.  

All this while I’m trying to ensure that my trio of yarns doesn’t tangle and crafts a top edge loose enough to handle the shawl.  That’s knitting with a heavy agenda, folks. And, for me, it takes this project out of the realm of “have yarn will travel.”  Wielding three balls that need to be continually untangled means I can’t really whip this out of my handbag while waiting for a plane.

Never fear, though, it’s worth it.  I do love how it’s coming out.  I admit that I stare at the top edge and wonder if it will work--if my slipping the first stitch will do the trick or it’ll end up too tight.  Right now it looks too loopy, too loose, but I know better than to judge it by how it currently looks.

Despite my earlier comments, I do find myself wishing I had a higher contrast between the three colors.  I’m halfway through the tri-colored short rows, loving how the burgundy is showing up with such stunning contrast.  Trouble is, that makes the difference between colors one and two feel like it doesn’t quite match my taste for the dramatic.  You know me, I always want POW.  Right now, I feel like I’ve got “Pow.”  Still there, but not quite enough to write home about.

Take all this with a grain of salt, however.  You and I both know all bets are off until the yarn is off the needles.

Color Affection Shawl from Bliss Yarns - Day 2

Color me obsessed...

So now it gets tricky.  The lose tension required for the edge was not to hard to maintain when I only had one color to deal with, but now I have to add carrying the colors.  Read enough blogs and Ravelry posts (over 7,000 projects listed when I looked tonight!) about how hard this is to do right, and a girl could get nervous.  Really, I could make the case that the top edge of the Color Affection shawl has become a bit of a knitter national obsession.  It’s like the federal debt:  everyone’s got an opinion on how it should be solved.

Given all the considerations, I’m rather glad that my first contrasting color doesn’t contrast that much.  Now, I confess to being fascinated with the endless color combinations possible for this pattern.  I was on a Delta flight yesterday and actually found myself thinking about how a red/white/blue version would look great with the flight crew’s uniforms!  Still, I’m glad I’m doing my first one with a forgiving mix of variegated and related solids.  My shawl will look more ombre than stripey, and I’m fine with that. 

You know what's going to happen, don't you?  It won't stop here. I’ll have to make another one to play with a high contrast trio.  Flags? The purple and white of my Northwestern University school colors? Traffic lights?  The red, buff, and green colors of my college house Alpha Gamma Delta?  Can you see how this has gotten to the point where no knitter can seem to stop at one shawl?

What have you done?  What combinations are you wanting to try?

Color Affection Shawl from Bliss Yarns - Day 1

So this is the project everyone's talking about this year.  Just last night, I was in a restaurant and one of my dining companions was wearing a newly finished "Color Affection" shawl.  Which led me, of course, to the obvious question:  "how did your top edge turn out?"

She gave me a look one knitter can only give another, and made a noise that echoed how it went--which was "not well."  Talk to anyone who's made one, google it, or walk into a yarn store and someone has a Color Affection Top Edge Tightness War Story.  Funny, I was far more concerned with the bind off (where I usually go wrong), than the top edge.  But, that's knitting for you--while you're busy worrying about one thing, something else comes up to bite you.

I doesn't seem to be much of a big deal at this point.  Maybe I should be concerned, but I'm not.  Yet.  I prefer a selvedge edge on all my shawls, so I'm slipping the first stitch of every row and I expect that to help things out.  And, should the worst occur, I know how to block something within an inch of its life.

There is one final concern: this is one of those projects where the rows get longer and longer.  That is my least favorite type of shawl pattern.  I foresee late nights cursing the hundreds of stitches that will comprise my final rows.  

Still, this project has a lot going for it.  I'm reveling in the cheerful pink, the splendidly short rows, the near-perfect texture of Miss Babs' yarn, and the fact that I'll soon join the massive club of "Color Affectionionadoes."  According to fiber superstar Stephanie Pearl McPhee, I'm in some pretty awesome company.

TENNESSEE Part 1: Nashville

Tennessee Yarn.

That’s not a instantly vibrant image, is it?  When someone says “Tennessee,” other iconic things come to mind...Elvis, fried things, gee-tars, a lady named Dolly, and a certain unmistakable twang.

All of these things can...and should...be part of your visit to The Volunteer State.  But this blog is devoted to the pursuit of a certain something that can definitely be part of your visit to Tennessee: great yarn shops and great yarn.

These episodes--one for Nashville and one for Chattanooga--are selected by a means no more scientific than my speaking schedule (as if often the case for DestiKNITions).  I will admit, however, to a long-time yearning to set a book at the elephant sanctuary I discovered there (stay tuned...both here and on your bookshelves!).  Be warned, this first episode is all about food and yarn...shopping and culture are up to you.

To start off, let’s grab some lovely breakfast.  Lucky for you, there’s the perfect spot very near our fiber find:

The Perch

117 Franklin Road

Brentwood TN  37027

615-661-9008

www.theperchtn.com

Coffee and crepes...there aren’t many better ways to start your day.  Being the big fan of desert-for-breakfast that I am, I went for the Nutella with Banana and wasn’t a bit sorry.  You can do food crepes in a variety of tasty flavors should you feel the need to be nutritious, but why would you?  And I dare you to turn down a latte entitled “The Best Chocolate Bar, EVER.”  Awesome, truly.

Once you’ve shown your tastebuds such bliss, it’s time to do the same for your knitting needles at:

Bliss Yarns

127 Franklin Road

Brentwood, TN 37027

615-370-8717

www.blissyarns.com

You can tell a lot by the chatter that meets your ears when you walk into a yarn store.  An energetic, friendly vibe always signals a welcoming shop, one where you are sure to feel that southern hospitality everyone always talks about.  I entered to a flurry of happy activity that no doubt is a result of owner Dana Nelm’s cheerful disposition.  I liked that someone on staff said “hello” to every person as they walked in the door, not to mention the rocking chairs out front that just begged you to “sit and knit a spell.”

The store hits the right balance between a spacious, well-lit energy and a cozy, comfy atmosphere.  You feel like you won’t have to hunt to find what you need--and that goes a long way with me.

My favorite detail?  The store has adopted “Liz,” an elephant from the fascinating Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.  I know I often say that an animal mascot is the sign of a great yarn store, but this takes that theory to delightful extremes.  I had a smile on my face the entire afternoon just thinking about Liz and her fiber fan club at Bliss.

Want in on the pachyderm pampering?  Click on over to Ravelry and purchase the “Lizzy Love Hat.”  Not only does your $5 get you a clever pattern that can be done up in any worsted weight yarn, but proceeds from your purchase buys Lizzy the tender care she deserves.

Our Knit Along from Bliss is none other than one of this year’s hottest projects:  the Color Affection Shawl.  To give this national obsession a local twist, I’ll be knitting it up in  “Yet” Lace yarn from Tennessee’s own Miss Babs Hand Dyed Yarns and Fibers.  If you are color-impaired like me, the staff will be happy to help you achieve the perfect color triad that makes this shawl the popular stunner so many knitters love.  Not only did I have to have the staff pick the colors for me, but I had to have them number the wound balls in the correct knitting order!  If you have someone in your life who thinks knitted shawl are for grannies, this will surely change their mind!

If you’re not the shawl type (give me an hour with you and I’ll change your mind), another popular Ravelry-sourced project is Larissa Brown’s “Shift Cowl.”  Again, color is the star here, so pick five colors of Classic Elite Vista, grab a hank of each, and you’re good to go.  As with the Color Affection shawl, the staff will help you should color selection be one of those places where you wander off the sensible path (I have a sweater that could make you ill just by looking at its supremely unfortunate color combination...).

Need something a bit more substantial?  Opt for the Hannah Fettig’s “Effortless Cardigan” in Berroco Vintage--again a Ravelry find or available in her book Knitbot Essentials.  Simple enough to feel doable even for just-above-novice knitters, this cardi has enough clever styling details to feel fashionable.

Fiber treasures in hand, spend the afternoon doing whatever classic Nashville tourism attractions appeal to you.  Since I write historical novels, Belle Meade Plantation is high on my list, but the music scene may be more your thing.  I’ve had even non-music friends rave about the fascinating stories told inside the Country Music Hall of Fame.  The city is thick with art galleries, or the Cheekwood Mansion and Botanical Gardens combine both arts and natural beauty to feast your eyes.

No one can deny, however, that Nashville is a fine, fine food town.  Folks will tell you never to leave Music City without dining at either: 

Puckett’s

Five different locations

www.puckettsgrocery.com

I felt like just reading the menu sent my cholesterol up a dozen points.  Plan ahead...this place is often packed but well worth the wait.  I’m a huge fan of sweet potato fries and oh, my, heaven sits on that plate.

or

The Loveless Cafe

8400 Tennessee Hwy 100

Nashville, TN 37221

615-646-9700

www.lovelesscafe.com

Biscuits. Big Momma’s Blackberry Jam Cake. Creole Shrimp and Grits.  Really, do I have to say any more?

Based on conversations with other locals and my own experience, I would add two other spots for your consideration:

The Catbird Seat

1711 Division Street

Nashville, TN 37203

www.thecatbirdseatrestaurant.com

A serious foodie’s paradise.  While no small feat to get in (reservations are accepted only online and on a rolling 30 day cycle), the idea of a fine dining experience with only 32 seats arranged around an open kitchen is highly intriguing.  Definitely not a last-minute impulse but at $100 for seven courses I can almost guarantee it’s a memorable night (I couldn’t manage a table during my visit but it was recommended many, many times to me).

Where I did manage to eat was a lovely spot called

The Tin Angel

3201 West End Avenue  Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 298-3444

www.tinangel.net

More accessible but no less delicious, I enjoyed my meal here as well as the attentive service to our large party.  I had an outstanding lobster and shrimp risotto and the very aptly named “Chocolate and Caramel Indulgence” desert.  A good spot if you’re in town for business or with not a lot of time to plan ahead.

I admit, my first Nashville visit several years ago didn’t go much beyond the stereotypes.  With this visit I’ve expanded my vistas and found more to love in the music city even though I’m not a fan of country music.  With a son looking at Vanderbilt, this won’t be my last trip, and I’m looking forward to discovering new facets in the future.

Up next, we cast on the latest craze:  The Color Affection Shawl.  Will I get the tricky top edge right?  Stay tuned.....