Great Daystar In The Mornin'

 Daystar will have her public reveal this weekend.  And she is ready!

Daystar is my first attempt at writing a shawl pattern.  I knit a lot of shawls for myself, as shop samples and to gift.  Shawls fit without all of that fiddly fitting.  Know what I mean?

Daystar is named for the star stitches that fall down the center spine.  Those same stars offer a break in the field when changing stitch patterns.  And by increasing within the stars a soft wavy edging - just perfect for beads - ends the bottom of the piece.

One skein of fingering/sock yarn is all that is needed.  By working on a US 8 needle, the stitches really open up during blocking.  This first effort is made in a bamboo yarn and thus the drape is really flowy and summery.  

The open work and drape make it easy to scrunch and wrap and otherwise wad up the thing and still it shakes out into a shawl shape.

I really enjoyed putting together stitches and figuring out the increases to make the triangle grow and become a real life "designed by me" shawl.

Now - on to the pesky precision of turning notes into an actual pattern that has no mistakes.  And finding a few willing souls to test knit the thing.  Any takers? 

SS Infinity Casts Off

 Daughter #1, she who crochets, has a new accessory.  And this mama is darn proud.

Quoth she:  [the pattern] recommends 20 rounds but I stopped at 15.  I'm little and easily overwhelmed.  Also used a different yarn but only because I tried to order what was recommended and only ugly colors were in stock even via the website.  So I used Redheart SOFT in LIGHT GREY HEATHER.  






Regardless the whole point of the pattern is loosey goosey and who cares because you're going to wrap and scrunch it around your neck anyway.

Way to go, Sarah!

The Work Of A Brilliant Crochet Master

It can not be said too often.  Participation in a guild or group is free education.  For this post I offer up the brilliance of Leo and his How Deep Is The Ocean scarf.  I told you how he was letting me test the pattern.  That is going really well - given that three other projects are in the works including my own fiddling with Daystar.

Leo put together a quick video showing his special stitch that is used in How Deep Is the Ocean.  If you love crochet stitchery or just enjoy learning new twists and tricks with yarn - go here and check this out!


Single Crochet Bar Front Loop Video by Leo A.

The Idea Moves Forward

The sweet smell of success looms on the horizon.  There is now beading taking place near the bottom edge of the idea of a Daystar shawl.

For this first version beads are placed in near each other in groups of three.  It is a tad difficult to see in the photo, but my favorite steel hook allows me to load up three #6 beads at a time.  This is a good thing for two reasons.

First reason I like loading up beads three at a time is that I don't have to chase the little buggers every time a bead is needed.  Yes, the same total number of beads must be picked up on the hook, but I chase them down less often.  This might not be a rational reason.  It is my reason and works for me.

The better reason that loading up three at a time works is this specific pattern.  As noted above, the beads are placed in a triad.  So I know when I'm done (all three on the hook are placed) and can move on before chasing more of the little  roly poly sparkly bits.

Soon, very soon, a photo of the completed Daystar will be coming your way!

PS - Notice how I totally skipped posting about that stitch taking up most of the photo.  Research is taking place.  I know how to do it, but the name and background is proving to be elusive.

Pleased To Be Dyeing

There is something very freeing - creatively speaking - about a dyeing class.  Using the same basic dyes, a room filled with students created so many shades and tints that a new color wheel might be needed.

Rather that dye skeins, this class focused on applying dye to pre-knit blanks.  I selected to work with a sport weight merino.  Others worked on superwash sock blanks or a blank that was enough yardage to make and felt a purse.

If you click on the photo and look closely you will discover that consistent application of color is not my skill.  Those who were planning socks worked toward having two blanks that were the same and thus would (hopefully) result in a pair of socks with matching stripes.  Luckily, I am not planning for socks because the upper blank is missing a purple stripe and has too much bluish dye in that area.

Such is life with whimsical Lenora!  My thought during the planning stage was to leave with two blanks that could each be incorporated into either a hat or a shawl.  So, for my use, variation in the placement of color will not matter.

Already the idea of using these for another stained glass effect shawl has me looking for that spare skein of black.  Or perhaps a hat using the bright colors paired with a winter white to make a hat that features slipped stitch work.   These could be used together in one larger project such as a summer table cloth or happy pillows to accent the blah sofa or. . . . . . . . . .

Sorry - got caught up in another yarndream.   Happy dyeing or knitting or crocheting or whatever floats your boat this summer.