More Progress!

From Donna:
"not only have I finished, but I have finished 3 and am almost finished with my fourth! Talk about stash busters….Everyone around me wants one."

Betty's Done :-)

Betty BJ writes "I'm finished :-)
Acually, I finished March 31st, but have been away from computer.
I don't have a picture. It's quite large (about 52" long and 78" wide), and the top is more of a curve than a straight line... I did not do the garter stitch pattern... I opted to have a 5 st garter border all around, but did the center with stockingnette stitch... the stockingnette stich is longer than the garter stitch and that's the main reason for the shape. Also, it was growing quite long and not wide enough, so I added in a few 'experimental' increases :-) Actually, it's very warm, and I'm quite happy with it - I LEARNED A LOT :-) ... LOL
And, I did it in some yarn that I had in my stash that I was not impressed with... that was done on purpose to use up that yarn and to feel free to experiment and not feel bad if it didn't come out 'perfect' :-)
So, from now on, I can look at it and see what I want to incorporate the next time and what I don't !!! - lol... And, it's very cuddly and warm and imperfect - just like me :-)
Thanks for all the fun. I hope I can join in on the next KAL :-)"

On the Home Stretch

I am rolling toward the end of my (big) ball of yarn - have been working on it while I read email on the computer so steady progress is being made :-)

Who else is finished? Let me know so I can put *stars* by your name. Send me a picture if you have one and I will put it in the Gallery.

Progress anyone?

How are you doing with your shawls? Fifteen of the 144 starters have finished their shawls - Great Job! Check the Gallery to see photos of both shawls-in-progress and completed beauties.

This knitalong will stay active indefinitely so feel free to join us - send me your name and I will add you to the list. (Replace the words AT and DOT with the appropriate symbols) shopATknit1bead2DOTcom

I would also love to have more pictures of completed shawls for the gallery - hint, hint :-)

How's my shawl progressing? Thanks for asking but it is not done yet - I tend to save it for car-knitting time. When I get to the bind off, I will post some additional pictures of how to bind off LOOSELY.

Congratulations and an Admin Note...

A big round of applause to the two members who are FINISHED with their shawls - Ailsa and Shara. Check out the gallery to see their photos.

On a totally different subject, I will be out of town (going to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show) from Monday, January 30th through Friday, February 3rd. I will not have internet access so there will be NO updates to the roll-call or gallery while I am gone, but feel free to mail me your scans or photos of work in progress and I will post them next weekend.

Happy knitting!

How Do I Know When My Shawl Is Long Enough?

Cindyln asked "How do you know when your shawl is big enough? With it being on the circular needles it is hard to tell actually how big it is. How do I tell when it gets to the size I want?"

There are three different methods for measuring something that is wider than the needles you are using:

1. Slip half the stitches onto another circular needle (or needles) until the stitches are evenly spread out. This is easiest if the spare needles are SMALLER than the ones you are using to knit the shawl. Lay it on the floor and measure it. You can also try it on to see if it is long enough and wide enough for YOU. When you are done, slip the stitches back onto your original needle.

2. Thread a yarn needle with a looooong piece of dental floss or string or smooth yarn. Slip the stitches from the knitting needles onto the dental floss. You can see an in progress picture (at the bottom) here. Take out the knitting needles - the stitches are held on the floss. Try it on or measure it. When you are done, put the stitches back on the needle.

3. Measure your stitch gauge (number of stitches per inch) and multiply the number of stitches per inch by the number of stitches you have on the needle. This will tell you approximately how wide your shawl is. Now count the number of rows you have in one inch. Multiply this number by the length of your shawl (from the needles down to the point.) This will tell you how long your shawl is.

The last method is the easiest but it does not allow for the weight and drape of your yarn so it is less accurate.

How Do I Get My Shawl Picture Into the Gallery?

We would LOVE to see a picture of your shawl - in progress or finished.

Remember, if you don't have a digital camera, you can use your scanner to scan the bottom section of your shawl and send it in to me. The pictures/scans can be any size or resolution because I have DSL and will be adjusting them in Photoshop.

To send them, use this address but be sure to replace the word AT with @ and replace DOT with . or your email program won't recognize it as an address

keepAThjamaDOTcom

How Long Should My Needles Be?

Cheryl asked what length circular needle to use.

I start with a 16" (a good length for scarves and hats) and move to a longer needle when I have too many stitches to fit comfortably on that length.

If you are using a heavy yarn, you will need to change to a longer needle sooner than someone who is using babyweight or laceweight yarn.

How do I Add the Next Ball of Yarn?

The general rule is to start a new skein at the edge, which is fine if your edge will be included in a seam, because you can hide the end of the skein in the seam.

Since our shawl has a lace edge, it will be easier to hide the ends if you change yarns a few stitches in from the edge. Remember to leave your tails at least six inches long for weaving in later.

When I change yarn I just drop the old yarn and start knitting with the new one. You may also tie a LOOSE knot in your work - just be sure to untie it before you weave the ends in :-)

When I am ready to weave the ends in, I thread one of the ends on a yarn needle with a big eye and duplicate stitch it into the work.
Duplicate stitch means to follow the path of the yarn. See an example here.

Many reference books tell you to weave the ends in on a diagonal line, or to skim your needle through the purl bumps on the back of the work, but both of these methods leave a very visible line. Learn to do duplicate stitch and your weaving will be invisible except for a slightly thicker area where there are two threads.