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SOOOOO! Here's the "Violets" with the violets all finished. I have picked up stitches along the left and right sides of the triangle and started the River. The River turned out to be quite easy. Mostly knit stitches. But the number is growing. Over 250 stitches per row and I am only on the second repeat of the pattern. I know, I know. That's nothing compared to a large project like the Princess, or the Wedding Ring Shawl. But I've never worked on so many stitches in one row before.

Picking up the stitches turned out to be more interesting than I thought. I must've been tired at the time that I wasn't paying full attention. I had to do it four times to get it right.

Besides "Violets", I have not knitted anything else. I have in mind a two-color project, but that will not be shown here until it's done. It will be a gift. However, I did do a lot of research. What research? Well... SPINNING! Spinning with a spindle to be more specific. Yes, I have Sachi to blame for that. Why? It's not that she pushed me into thinking about it. I've read about spinning. The nice ladies at A Mano tried to tempt me with roving and spindles. But I resisted them because I just wanted to focus on knitting. But, reading Sachi's recent adventure with spinning was like a big shove that finally got me through the door. Yes, Sachi, you did it. And girl, I can't believe you've upgraded to a wheel already!

So, I bought spinning books. I've talked to spinners. I've asked for advice. I've researched spinning online. I'm planning on attending spinning guild meeting. There's a store that I want to visit. There's a class that I want to take. What? Am I spinning? Nope. Not yet. I haven't gotten a spindle yet. LOL Anybody that knows me well knows that I take forever to research before taking on something new. But, I've ordered one. I'm so looking forward to getting it in my hands. In the meantime, I'm still shopping around. Maybe going to places and try different spindles. Maybe I will find one that's a bit heavier than the one I ordered. It's a new adventure.

Spinning with a spindle really appeals to me. Not only that it's portable, meditative. The thought of feeling the fiber twist and form into yarn in my fingers is really pleasing to me. I think it will be great for strengthening concentration. :-D

Oh, by the way, Ken gave a great review on KnitPicks' new interchangeable needles. Go check it out! Sachi, where's your review? :-P
Posted by Jason at 9:20 AM 
Gorgeous. Can't wait for you to finish it and block it. I'm sure it'll come out beautifully

Fri Jul 14, 01:19:00 PM PDT 
You are doing so well! Bravo! The colour of the shawl is lovely too!

Fri Jul 14, 01:29:00 PM PDT Ellen Bloom said...

Violets is so beautiful, Jason! Excellent work. Can't wait to see the finished product! Remember, you can always sell your spun yarn at the WeHo SnB! We're big consumers.

Fri Jul 14, 02:15:00 PM PDT beadlizard said...

It often takes a few tries at picking up an edge to get a feel for the best way to do it -- different yarns and different lace patterns can make radically different edges. It is excellent that you listened to the fabric and practiced until it pleased you.

Button bands on cardigans can be even more exacting than a shawl. And, the rub of it is, if you try to make do you end up ripping the whole thing later. Trust your instincts!

Can't wait to see your handspun. What an adventurer you are! --Syl

Fri Jul 14, 02:21:00 PM PDT 
Violets is looking lovely! Best of luck with the spinning :-)

Fri Jul 14, 03:50:00 PM PDT 
Well done Jason, 'Violets' is looking great and I love the colour. You are really throwing yourself into spinning ;-)

Fri Jul 14, 04:16:00 PM PDT Dave Daniels said...

Jason, Violets are beautiful!
And you are going to LOVE spinning on a spindle. It really is meditative, you get into a "state" while going it. Even more-so using a wheel.
Looking forward to seeing which spindle you got.

Fri Jul 14, 04:26:00 PM PDT 

Your Violets shawl is just wonderful! You are doing a terrific job and it will be spectacular when finished! As for spinning, I took classes with my sister. Neither of us really enjoyed the drop spindle, the word "drop" being the operative word here. We both have wheels and I will say that I recently got a small drop spindle and it was a heck of alot easier to use now that I have been spinning on the wheel for years.

Welcome to the dark side Jason! Happy spinning!

Fri Jul 14, 05:38:00 PM PDT Fri Jul 14, 09:19:00 PM PDT Sachi said...

Mmmmm... violets.... Can't wait to see it blocked up!!!

Don't blame me for the spindle, you fiber pusher! Who was the one who just had to show me Stick & Stone, huh? *gives squinty, accusing eye* I seem to remember a certain guy sending link after link of fluffiness until I couldn't stand it anymore!

Sat Jul 15, 12:02:00 AM PDT Knit Picking said...

Your "Violets" are just gorgeous!
Thanks for the link of who's knitting what shawls. Great idea! More blogs for me to go visit on a daily basis ;)
I totally agree with you: research first! That's why I haven't started lacing yet....I'm researching ;)
Happy Spinning!

Sat Jul 15, 06:32:00 AM PDT 
It looks really good, Jason! See: wasn't hard at all, was it.

And spinning, which will be quite nice. Just remember that the tool is a "suspended spindle", not a "drop spindle".

Sat Jul 15, 07:59:00 AM PDT miss kendra said...


please help me. i realize this makes me functionally brain dead, but i'm trying to start up that pattern (afghan #9) and i don't know how to work in the second color. i don't get it!

you can comment on my blog or email me at drita42 at hotmail dot com.

Sat Jul 15, 10:06:00 AM PDT 
Lovely shawl. Don't feel bad about having to try several times to pick up stitches. Rested or tired, sober or drunk, it always seems to take me more than once to get it right.

Sat Jul 15, 04:07:00 PM PDT aija said...


Sat Jul 15, 09:25:00 PM PDT 
Wow! Thank you everyone! For all the kind words, the encouragements and the welcome to spinning. :-D

Sun Jul 16, 12:45:00 PM PDT Andy's Crafts said...

Nice Nice work

Wed Jul 19, 09:29:00 PM PDT 
Thank you Andy! :-)

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