The Spindrift shawl was a free pattern download offered by designer Helen Stewart. I appreciate having something like this crescent shawl pattern to practice on. The pattern is fairly simple, but I did learn how to do a picot edge bind-off. You can read more about how I came to be knitting this shawl on my first post here.
The fingering yarn I chose to use was from Miss Babs, in one of the Wild Iris, Yummy-2ply colors named “Sorcerer”. It closely matches the colors in the designers image of the finished shawl, and I thought hers was lovely.
To go with Sorcerer, I chose a lavender color yarn from Mrs. Crosby called “Monkey Orchid”. I will use that color to finish the edge.
Shawl yarn from Miss Babs in fingering weight, and lavender DK by Mrs. Crosby
Notes on the Finished Shawl
I had to reference a video about making the picot edging. (Find it on my Day 2 blog post.)
I knew I would probably not have enough yarn because my skein was shorter than the recommended length. The lavender color was attached for the picot edging and once I got the hang of that bind-off, it went quickly.
Still left, the weaving in of ends, washing and blocking. I have never blocked anything, but I have the boards to do it with. My time is taken up with the MKAL I am working on (and am behind!). So this shawl will have to wait.
The Spindrift Shawl is finishedThe lavender picot edging
Finally I found the photos of this finished shawl. This was a very good beginner pattern with practice for yarn-overs and doing a picot edge. It’s a small shawl so it knits up fast. Download the Spindrift pattern when you sign up for the Curious Handmade workshop. See details here.
I finished the first “clue” which is basically the beginning of the shawl pattern in the MKAL. I’m working with the yellow yarn, which show a different coloring all my photos. The second photo down is closest to the real color.
Assymetrical triangle shawl MKAL
I am proud of my self for getting through Clue 1 and finishing.
Now I have begun Clue 2 and it’s a different story.
My inexperience is beginning to show and slow me down. I’ve already made a bunch of mistakes, and asked a question in the forum. I’ll continue to knit, but I have a feeling my Clue 2 is not going to be so pretty.
I still consider this to be good experience for me. The only way to gain knitting experience is to knit! Stepping out of my comfort zone is needed to gain expertise. We learn from our mistakes.
The designer (Kirsten Kapur) of this shawl knit-along made it clear this was intended for experienced knitters. I can only blame myself if I am unable to finish. It has been fun, and I will continue until it’s obvious that my shawl will turn out a mess. Or, maybe I will be surprised and it won’t look so bad.
Clue #2 Started
After some trouble with the cdd (center double decrease) stitch, I began to move along on clue #2. Many fast knitters finished right away, but it will probably take me another week at least to get this part done. I have made bunches of mistakes, but I managed to get past them and move on.
The photo below is very close to the actual color of the yarn. It’s called “cumin” and is a Miss Babs yarn made of Merino wool and Tussah silk. In my head, I call the color “baby potty”, but I do like it. I have 2 more sections (40 rows each) before I finish this clue.
Into Clue #2 on the mystery shawl knit-along
In the meantime, I continue to finish up the Spindrift Shawl. That one is turning out nicely. I’m adding the lavender picot bind off.
Nearly There For Clue #3
I’m part way through the last repeat for Clue #3. This has been a long one, but after one complete run through, the knitting got easier.
Two things have helped me greatly while doing Clue 2:
Add stitch markers at each 10 stitch repeat.
And mark off the 10 count repeat on my pattern print out. I simply added a little dot at the place where the next 10 stitches began. By doing these two things the pattern is broken up enough for me to catch a mistake sooner.
Beginning my 3rd repeat on Clue #2
Thanks to the little freebies Miss Babs includes (cute stitch markers) I had them to use to mark my stitches.
And speaking of Miss Babs (one of my favorite yarn places to shop online), some of the knitters who have gone on to work Clue #3, which is available now, have been worried about running out of Color A yarn. Yesterday I read in the forum that the Miss Babs company has offered to send 20 extra yards of yarn to those who run out. In addition, if you need more yarn than that, they will give 20% off the purchase of an entire skein!
Miss Babs has beautiful yarn, gives away cool freebies with a purchase, and now is offering this! So many reasons to buy from them. I won’t know for a few days if I will run out of yarn, and hopefully not. My plan was to simply use another color, but I may ask for that 20 yards. I’d better get knitting.
I did run out of my Cumin yarn… see what happened next.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
No Fuss Shade-Loving Shawl by Susan Ashcroft
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.
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.
New England's Narrow Road 