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Branching Out

I am still waiting for inspiration on what to do with the sleeves for Prairie Fire.  My general approach to this type of thing, to just go for it, is hesitating on this decision for some reason.  As I grow older I have learned to stop to figure out why rather than just override that impulse and take the risk.  It hasn't made itself known to me yet so perhaps another day or two will clear things up.

In the meantime I needed a new small, easy knit project at the end of the day when I'm too tired to work on the Blue Ashton.  While doing my spring cleaning I located a Dark Oak (#86) coloured skein of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool - Designer's Choice made of 45% wool, 35% silk and 20% nylon.   This skein captured me and I knew something fun had to come of it.  There is something about that slightly dappled brownish yarn I love.  In fact it had been sitting on my desk for a couple of weeks patiently waiting in the queue of knitting to-do's for its turn.  So on Friday the search for a perfect pattern to use the 190 yards/175 meters of this yarn was on.


My unblocked version of Branching Out


Ravelry makes it very easy to do. Go to the website, type in the name of the yarn, the yardage and bang, a whole host of options, well 33 when I put in the filters, came up for me to examine. I chose, Branching Out, a long lacy scarf by Susan Lawrence. The designer suggests it is great for someone learning about lace knitting so yes, it is another lace pattern but it has lots of simple characteristics that make it quite different from the Blue Ashton:
  • There are only 25 stitches cast on and although the number of stitches varies up to as many as 31 at points in the chart, the number of stitches seems insignificant when compared to the now 350+ stitches of Blue.
  • There are only 5 rows of pattern in the chart, almost short enough to be memorized, but not quite short enough for me.  
  • It screamed for a few complementary beads.  I haven't used beads for several months and so I did a test adding five different shapes and colours to the scarf before starting the lace chart itself.  Both Paul and I agreed rectangular cooper coloured beads were the best.  They will help expand the palette this scarf can be used with, again IMHO.
  • And I am using #8 U.S. or 5mm needles meaning progress comes quickly.  This morning as I write this the project is already 50% complete.
A closeup so you can see the beads hiding in the design.  

A good blocking is going to bring this scarf to life.  
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A knitting friend from Minneapolis, Susan, was inspired by the Light as AIR Fingerless Gloves I made earlier this year out of cashmere, merino and possum wool from New Zealand.  She has knit a pair for her mother who is modeling them below.   (BTW my pair went to my Mom as well.  Apparently we both want our moms hands to be warm.)  It seems Susan made this pair in the same taupe colour as my first pair.  (Susan wrote to say they are indeed lavender in colour.)

Those possum gloves!

And Susan's mom modeling said gloves


My sphere of knitting impact seems to be branching out as well.  Susan, thanks for sharing the pics.   (As my other knit buddies declare -- You're work is now famous worldwide!)
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Comments

  1. Anonymous20 April 2015 at 04:06

    Love them. The photography isn't so good. They are actually the lavender color. Thanks for the inspiration! Susan

    ReplyDelete
  2. JFlag20 April 2015 at 07:27

    Susan, thanks for that compliment and update about the colour.

    ReplyDelete

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