Spinalcat's Crafty Adventures

FO: Rose of England Shawl , originally uploaded by Buxtrosion .

ROE Shawl Blocking , originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Both times I've knitted this pattern , I've had second thoughts about my gauge starting around the next to last chart. I knew it worked out fine last time, and I knew I was using up slightly less yarn than Cookie with the same yarn and needles. It turned out great of course! Marianne Kinzel's Rose of England Teacloth from her 2nd Book of Modern Lace Knitting. 3 skeins Misti Alpaca Lace, US 6 needles, about 60" diameter. This'll be at Yarndogs for a while. You can say hi to it during the Shop Hop when I'll be in Texas for my husband's 10 year high school reunion. :)

Circular Cape , originally uploaded by Buxtrosion .

Curved Shawl , originally uploaded by Buxtrosion .

Blocking the Curved Shawl , originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Done, done, done!! (Except for weaving in ends.) From Victorian Lace Today, in Baruffa Cashwool, on size 1.5 needles. Added about 20 extra pattern repeats.

Azalea Doily , originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . I'm working on another Kinzel pattern, but this one is much less of a commitment than the Rose of England. This is one of the Azalea doilies. The different sizes (centerpiece, place doily, plate doily, and glass doily) are created by working the outer chart different numbers of times. It's actually quite an easy pattern. I'm on the 3rd of 4 repeats of the outer chart and should be finished shortly, though I am a little overextended right now. :) I'm using Cebelia 30 on size 2 needles, same combination as the Rose of England.

Curved Shawl from VLT , originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . I've restarted the Curved Shawl from VLT (about 10 times, haha) with size 1.5 needles. After 11 or so repeats (out of 40-something total) I blocked to check the fabric and gauge. I like the fabric a lot better, but I think I'm going to need to do more repeats to get the right size shawl. That's ok cause I have about twice the original yardage.

Curved Shawl Swatch Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion I finally managed to swatch this in a recognizable manner. Baruffa Cashwool on size 2.5 needles. I'm going to try again on 1.5 before I start the shawl. I don't think the Cashwool is that much finer than Lacey Lamb, but I think I want the circles to be a little tighter. I have lots of extra yardage, so I'm not afraid to add repeats if necessary. I liked the big, graphic pattern of the Parka-Trim Stole from Arctic Lace, but I decided I'd really rather do a curved or triangular shawl right now. Plus, I just couldn't face admitting that I had tried to swatch this pattern and failed. This shawl is patterned both rows (but so was Myrtle Leaf) and garter stitch based (yay no purling!).

Myrtle Leaf Shawl Blocked Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Finally finished! Blocked just in time to wear at my friend's wedding reception. I picked the color to match the trim on my bridesmaid's dress. :) I'm really happy with it. I thought I needed to take a little break from lace, then I found a HUGE skein of Italian laceweight merino at Hill Country Weavers for $18. (Actually less cause there was a sale!) Now I'm trying to figure out which Victorian Lace Today pattern would look good in red. I'm also psyching myself up to break the red yarn curse (I never finished the last 3 red projects I started).

Blocking Myrtle Leaf Shawl Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Pinning out the Myrtle Leaf shawl took the whole box of pins- 450! More than the Rose of England! I used some checkered fabric to help keep the edges straight. The fabric wasn't anchored to the floor, so it still wasn't perfectly straight. Next time it needs blocking, I may borrow some blocking wires.

Rose of England Mosaic Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . After 2 months, the Rose of England is finally done! It was a bridal shower present, so I didn't share any of the in progress photos. Pattern: Rose of England teacloth from 2nd Book of Modern Lace Knitting Thread: #30 Cebelia, almost 2 balls Needles: Susan Bates size 2 dpns (2.75mm) and Knitpicks size 2 circulars (24" and 32", 3.0mm) Finished size: 36" diameter

Myrtle Leaf Close-up Before Blocking Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion .

Myrtle Leaf Shawl- Halfway Done! Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . 22 repeats out of 40 completed! 4oz ball of Zephyr is still huge, but somewhat hollow.

Secret Project Snippet Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Just a tiny hint at something I've been spending a lot of time on. It's a gift and I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise.

Just found the Knitting Beyond the Hebrides Online Lace Symposium from May 2006. Lots of nifty little articles, tips, interviews, and fun stuff. Includes an interview with Meg Swansen and a look at the design process for the popular Peacock Shawl.

Myrtle Leaf Shawl in progress Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . 6 of 40 pattern repeats completed. Photo taken after spritzing and pinning out to check width.

Swatching for Myrtle Leaf Shawl Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Swatches for Myrtle Leaf Shawl from Victorian Lace Today. Using Jaggerspun Zephyr color Vanilla (from sarahsyarns.com). On left, size 5 Knitpicks Options needles. On right, size 4. I'm going with size 5.

Milanese lace scarf Originally uploaded by Buxtrosion . Vintage mohair scarf using Milanese lace pattern from one of the Barbara Walker books. I got the yarn at a swap but it originally came from Sears! I'll photo the label soon. The pattern is visible enough in real life without blocking, but I just couldn't get it to photograph well today. My tripod is on vacation, and I happen to be working on 3 red projects at the moment. Not the best photo day.