Wednesday Worktable. Forest Reflections Shawl.

This shawl was crocheted using two strands of lace weight Harmony by Jojoland in a color named Lavender Fields. The pattern is called "Forest Reflections" and was included in the Summer 2010 issue of Interweave Crochet magazine.

Naturally, because a lighter weight yarn than recommended was used, #0 vs. #1, the finished project was smaller. Even after hand-washing and blocking, it measured 53" by 27" (with the 5" fringe) rather than 59" by 31".

It took some time to decide how to make the shawl bigger. To options came to mind: add more pattern rows or add fringe. Ripping back such a lightweight yarn would more than likely damage the piece, so the fringe option won.

Little did I know the fringe would take so long to make. After the first few, I grabbed a piece of cardboard and made an assembly line out of it. Ten fringes at a time rather than one. Then on to attaching the fringe to the sides of the shawl. The tricky part, because the yarn has a subtle color gradation, was to make sure the fringe on both sides matched. So, the fringe was added left then right then left then right.... Can you believe there are 99 fringes on there? 49 on each side with the 1 at the bottom.

Note to self:  Another life lesson learned. Fringe takes a tediously long amount of time to make and attach.

It turned out quite nice, tho. If I do say so myself.

Back to the grindstone for me. There are more almost finished projects waiting to be worked on.

Y'all have a great day.

Finally Friday. Panama/Cloche. Forest Reflections Shawl.

Panama/Cloche Paid Pattern

You may have previously read about the Panama/Cloche hat crocheted using the free pattern and how after making a hat I purchased a paid version of the pattern in hopes of obtaining a better result.

Am not entirely happy with either the paid pattern or the way it's developing. Mostly because I'm an old lady and working with the super-fine yarn and size C hook that this pattern calls for is a little more delicate than these eyes with "multi-focal" goggles can handle.

Part of the pattern problem is its inaccuracies. For example, there's a difference between "standing double crochet" and a plain old double crochet. A standing double crochet is generally used when changing colors. A double crochet... well, you use it when the pattern tells you to. Why on Earth you would even write 'standing double crochet' when you mean 'double crochet' is beyond my comprehension. Fortunately the pattern maker (NOT designer) was able to quickly respond with proper terminology.

Another part of the problem is gauge -- my fault entirely. In my haste to get the project underway I exercised bad judgement rather than caution. First by not making a pattern swatch. Second by using a larger than necessary hook. (C versus E).

Plus the yarn itself is smaller than the pattern calls for. When I started the project my reasoning ran along the lines of "surely two strands of lace-weight yarn will equal one strand of super-fine weight." Uhmmm: NOT. But the yarn is pretty, has a nice hand and is easy to work with.

The gauge is just off.

Anyway, the gauge problem can't be immediately be remedied as I have no super-fine yarn in The Closet of Doom. The photo shown is merely a visual reference of how the purchased pattern is starting to shape up using a double strand of Harmony lace weight yarn by JoJoland* in the color they call "Lavender Fields".

Obviously, until I can get some disposable income and make the journey to JoAnn's to purchase said yarn, this project is on hold.

In the interim I'm working on Crocodile Stitch Booties using a free crochet pattern which you can find here.

On that note I'm signing off for the time being. Y'all have a great Friday!

 * A note about the purple Harmony yarn. It's such a beautiful color that when I saw it in a friend's shop I couldn't keep from buying it. Soft to the touch. A pleasure to work with both when knitting and crocheting. I know it's country of origin is China. Normally I try to limit purchases from that region to essential items only ( for humanitarian reasons, of course ). Consider this the exception to the rule. Two small balls are all that remain from the skeins I purchased to make a shawl from the Forest Reflections pattern in the Summer 2010 issue of Interweave Crochet. Shown unblocked while I decide whether or not to add fringe.