“I don’t usually do this kind of thing.”
It’s something someone might say when they sleep with someone on the first date, or do something they’re not supposed to do, but secretly really really want to do, even if it’s bad for them. At least that’s what I hear. But me, that’s something I say when I find that I have not only cast on for, but finished in record time (for me), a …… wait for it …… shawl. Now I’m wondering what that itch is. Did I catch some malignant desire to actually do it again? I don’t think there’s a cure for that yet.
See, I get the lure of the shawl when it comes to the act of knitting one. Pretty yarn, lovely lace, charts up the kazoo for all us masochists, and then it’s all blocked up and gorgeous as can be when you’re finished. But can I really see myself wearing one? No. Not really. Though I do admit I’d like to have one for reading in bed. So what’s the point? I don’t know and I don’t have a ready answer. All I can say is: I saw, I wanted, I had stash. Really, I never do this kind of thing. Just this once. At least, that’s what I’ll say until next time.
- Pattern: Oscilloscope Shawl by Kate Gagnon Osborn from Knitscene, Fall 2010 (Ravelry link here; My Ravelry project link here)
- Yarn: Approximately 344 yds (1.72 hanks) of British Mohair, Mohair Silk in “Hale Heaven”
- Needles: Size 8 Harmony Interchangeables
- Mods: None, though if I were to make it again, I’d want it to be a bit larger
I loved knitting this. The pattern had enough variety to keep things interesting, yet the pattern repeats were easily memorized; the perfect combination for me. I didn’t like the yarn much until it was blocked, it kept shedding little bits of mohair all over the place. But after blocking it turned out beautifully. The color is really much deeper in person – a rich purpley brown. Too bad it doesn’t go with any of my stuff. Since I’m not a regular shawl-wearer, I didn’t have any shawl pins for this, but a bamboo dpn works wonders in a pinch.
