New England's Narrow Road

Spindrift Shawl, Day 2 is About Choosing Yarn

I mentioned in a previous post that I would be knitting the Spindrift Shawl as a beginner shawl project.

The second e-mail from Helen at Curious Handmade arrived today. She talks about the yarn she choose for her pretty shawl, which is by the company “Top Draw Sock” in Australia, in colorway “Peace”. I will be using yarn from my stash, which is Miss Babs’ Yummy 2-ply fingering in colorway “Sorcerer”. (That’s it in my photo at the beginning before I did the winding.) I may not have quite enough to finish the shawl, so I may switch to the lavender yarn “Monkey Orchid” by Mrs. Crosby. I think they match well.

Shawl yarn from Miss Babs in fingering weight, and lavender DK by Mrs. Crosby

I am ready to knit a shawl that is easy. Once I began the Lionberry shawl, I had high hopes that I could do it. Sadly, I am frustrated with my inability to understand the instructions. I’m continuing to knit, but have changed to simple knit and purl rows in place of the intricate pattern (click the link to see how pretty this shawl is when knit correctly). My stitch count was off and I figured the pattern would end up a mess because of that.

With all the knitting projects currently in the works, I shouldn’t start another one. What can I say? The blue hat was scrapped, so I’ll let the Spindrift Shawl take it’s place.

I’m ready. The wooden size 5 needles will be used for the first 14 rows, then I will switch to the circular size 6 needles for the remainder of the shawl. By the way, I included my needle measuring gauge in the photo because I’d be lost without it. The ChiaoGoo (red cable circular needles) have the size printed on the metal, but it is tiny print. The Takumi bamboo straight needles also have the size on them, but using the gauge is just easier.

knitting needles and measuring ruler — Needles in two sizes are needed to begin the Spindrift Shawl

I do better work in the morning, so I will wait until then to begin this shawl pattern. I’ve never done the Backward Loop cast on, but it’s pretty simple.

As you knit, the body of the shawl will curl because of the stockinette stitches. It’s hard to believe, but once you get to the rows of holes, you are only 50% done! These last rows are long, but very easy to knit.

I’m now finishing up the last part of the shawl. The rows of knitting are separated by “holes” which make a lace look around the edge of the shawl.

spindrift shawl edge with holes — Knitting the bottom edge of the shawl

Here is a video that shows one way to do a picot bind off. It can be helpful when finishing the Spindrift Shawl.

Now I am working on the bind off. I ran out of yarn, and I knew I would, so I’m making the picot row lavender. The shawl is lumpy and bumpy, which will change once I block it. I’ve never knit anything that needed blocking, so this will be a first for me.

Making Sense of Knitting Talk

Knitting was a favorite pastime when I lived in the Northeast, but I never realized there were certain terms used, which I call “knitting talk”. This is probably because I was always alone when I knit. If I’d been part of a group I’m betting I would have heard them discuss “tinking” and “frogging”.

To “tink” is to un-knit. The word itself is “knit” backwards, which is what you do when you tink your work. When I first began knitting I couldn’t un-knit anything. I would make mistakes and just keep going! That’s why I only knit very simple scarves and hats! Tinking a few stitches is okay, or even a row, but beyond that I think I would lose my mind.

To “frog” something is to completely rip it out. Remove the needle and pull…. it’s so sad. Another useful thing I’ve learned is that some people use a lifeline. I’ve tried this a couple times and have not had success. Perhaps I am doing it incorrectly, but I can’t pick up those stitches once I get back to the lifeline.

Also, if the lifeline itself comes part way out of the project, you are in trouble. This just happened to me on a hat (pictured below). I had done all the k1,p1 rows for a wide, roll up brim, but when I began the top part of the hat I didn’t like it. NO problem, I had (smartly) added a lifeline. But as I frogged back, I realized that the lifeline was not completely around the needle!

knitting a blue hat — This hat is no more…!

It is obvious that I need more practice.

This is why so many people stick to crocheting!

Fear No More, Knit a Shawl For Free With Help From the Designer

I have knit one shawl in my life and I finished it just about a week ago. Shawls are for old ladies, right? I never considered knitting one, until I saw how beautiful shawl patterns are. Just do a search for hand-knit shawls and you will see what I mean! They are colorful and fun and perfect for women (and men!) of any age.

Now all I regret is that I don’t live in a climate where shawls could be worn. Still, it will not stop me from mastering shawl-knitting.

My First Shawl Project

My one and only shawl project was the No Fuss Shade-loving Shawl which can be downloaded at Ravelry and is offered for free by Susan Ashcroft. Her directions were easy to follow and there was no weird garter tab cast on – which I have yet to figure out how to do. See my finished shawl below.
I had some trouble choosing a yarn, and ended up trying 3 different ones! It came out a little small also. I should have continued for a few more rows. But okay for a first try!

The Spindrift Shawl is Free and Comes With Encouragement

When I saw the lovely Spindrift Shawl offered for free on Ravelry, I thought I was too late to get in on the action. Then I went to Curious Handmade site and there it was.. the offer to get this free pattern … on the right sidebar. Go to either link to find the free pattern. You will have to sign up to receive e-mails, but this designer has a beautiful selection of patterns and I won’t mind getting mail from her.

Helen, who runs the site, will send me the downloadable pattern and a welcome video.

As she says in her video, when she began shawl knitting she wished she’d had this type of help. It’s perfect timing for me, and I am grateful for the help even if Helen is a stranger who lives in England! Thank you Helen.

knitting a shawl — Beginning the Spindrift Shawl

What a nice idea. Also, Helen has tons of gorgeous shawl patterns (and more) to purchase. I can’t wait for the time when I feel confident enough to buy a shawl pattern and create something intricate and beautiful myself.

Baby steps. For now I will try my hand at the Spindrift Shawl. I have downloaded the pattern. And I received the second e-mail, which was about choosing the yarn.

Here are the particulars:

Yarn: Need 437 yards of fingering or sock yarn.

The crescent shaped shawl begins on a size 5 circular needle and switches to a size 6 and is worked from the top down.

The cast on is done using the backward loop method…and I chose a yarn I had purchased from Miss Babs. It’s a “Wild Iris” which means “one of a kind” color. I love the lavender, off-white and brown accents.

As you can see in my photo, I have begun knitting the shawl.

Start the Day With a Vegetable Breakfast

Often I will start the day with a vegetable breakfast. I have a garden, and here in Florida the herbs (and peppers) grow year round. When fresh food can be found in the backyard, it is more enticing to use the vegetables.

I’m still learning how to grow food here in Florida. (Read my Hydrangeas Blue blog if you are interested in my garden adventures.) My second year of growing green peppers (yes, on the same plant – it never died) is a huge success. I am picking big, juicy peppers. Hot peppers are easy to grow, so I have an abundance of those.

Keep onion and peppers in a container in the fridge so they will be ready to add to any meal

The parsley has been growing since 2016 and I use it almost daily. The onions and garlic I buy at the grocery store.

I’ve found that keeping onion and pepper in a little container in the fridge helps me use those ingredients more often. When I’m cooking, I can grab a piece and use it, or slice off what I need, which adds flavor that only comes from using fresh ingredients.

sautéing onion and pepper — Finely chopped veggies sautéing in avocado oil

Eat More Vegetables!

The herbs from the garden (parsley, fennel, basil, thyme) are chopped with the onion and peppers to create a handful of veggies to sauté. After a few minutes, I will add an egg and create a vegetable scramble.

eggs with vegetables — Get a serving of vegetables for breakfast

When I eat my special egg dish with a glass of pure cranberry juice, I feel that I have done something good for my body.

(By 2020 I have switched to a Keto / Paleo diet and do IF (intermittent fasting) so I eat my breakfast at noon!)

You don’t have to have a backyard garden (obviously) to make a meal like this. Garlic keeps for a long time, and so do onions and peppers if they are kept in the fridge once they are cut.

Other vegetables would work well for breakfast too, like summer squash and zucchini. I used to chop the squash flowers and add them to my omelets.

I suggest getting away from the normal cereal, bagels, toast and bacon idea of breakfast. None of that food is really good for us. Now that I am older and my kids are grown, I have time to chop and sauté and eat much better than I used to. I’ve also learned to figure things out for myself so I can stay feeling well without being on medication.