Blocking a scarf or a shawl

 As I've mentioned in a prior post, blocking a knitting project is my least favourite thing to do. I was not looking forward to blocking my Hap. 

To assist me with this task, I had recently bought a pack of Premium Lace weight wires by Friendly Products. (Made in the USA)

They are 3 feet in length and come in a lovely tube. If in your youth you were a baton twirler/majorette, this tube will bring back lots of memories ... asked my friends when I showed them the tube! LOL

You interfile the wire on the border edge of your work and I used T pins to hold/arrange to the size desired.

They work like a charm. Certainly reducing the number of pins you would need to straighten the edge of the scarf/shawl.

Full view of the blocking.

The pattern for this asymmetrical shawl/scarf is called La Bise designed by Espace Tricot. It is available on Ravelry as a free pattern. The yarn I used is Sunday Morning DK by wonder yarn co. It consists of 75 % BFL (Bluelace Leicester) and 25% Masham sheep. It is soft to the touch.

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

The Forest Path Hap

Yesterday I finished a knitting project. I am participating in a Hap Kal on Ravelry and having lots of fun. It's my first time knitting a Hap, some might call it a Shawl, but do not say that to the Shetland historians! lol

The pattern is called Forest Path Hap by Patricia Fortune. For the yarn I used Rauma Finull a wonderful yarn from Norway.

The Hap is finished using the Picot Pinecone edge bind-off. OMG ... the longest bind-off I have ever done in my entire life ... but it does give it a pretty edge.

Yesterday, I blocked the Hap. I had bought these thin wires specifically for this. I'm glad I did, otherwise it would have been a "pin the crap out of it" event. 

Looking at the photograph with a fresh set of eyes, I'm realizing that I should have used the wires for the top edge also. Note to self!

It's also my first time using these foam blocks and I must say I like them. Since I have other similar projects in mind, I bought another set of foam blocks. They are pretty and come in a lovely case.

Voila! We have a fini

Thanks for stopping by. If you are looking do knit a shawl, I strongly recommend Patricia's pattern. It is well written and easy to follow. 

Catch you all later!

Aerogarden

Last week, given that we were expecting lots of warm days, I decided it was time to transplant my Aerogarden plants outside, into containers. What I had not ever considered was the root growth size.  As you can see, it's a huge mess and I had already taken out a basil and parsley plant! 

The root base was much to large to fit through the plate base. I had to cut off quite a bit of the root system.

This is what I was left with once I had taken all of the plants out of the base.

It's been a little over a week since I have transplanted the basil, chive and parsley. For a while there it was touch and go, but I think they are going to make it!

Note to self, do not allow the plant to get this size before you decided to transplant ... it's a friggen tree!

I'm enjoying my Aerogarden. What I have learned so far is that not all plants do well in that system. Oregano, chives and tarragon do not thrive in that environment. Basil and parsley on the other hand are a hit.

Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!

A Knit Finish ... AKF!

 A while back, I blogged about my first two (2) colour work snood, which was "almost finished." The "almost" was due to not having yet figured out how I was going to sew the two ends together.

The pattern called for "provisional cast on" something I had never done before. Once I figured it out, the knitting took off. Now came the time to sew the two end together. Not knowing how to tackle that just yet, I did what any sane person would do, I put it out of my sight! lol

Well, it started to nag at me. I had decided a while back that I would use the Kitchener Stitch to sew the two ends together. As I took the "provisional cast on" off, I had a difficult time figuring out if I was picking up a stitch or not. So I put it aside, yet again.

Tired of the nagging, I picked it up today and decided I was going to tackle it. Voila! A finish

I will admit, I am not impressed with an area of the snood, it's messy; but I'm willing to live with it.

Other areas turned out fine

I'll just make sure I hide the bad part when it's on my neck! lol

If I need to use a provisional cast on again, what I would do differently is knit a few row before starting my colour work pattern. This way, I'll have a few rows to play with as pick up the stitches. 

For those interested, the pattern is called Foula Snood by Donna Smith and is from the Shetland Woolweek Annual 2018 book.

 I am planning on knitting another colour work snood, if you have any tips, by all means do share. I have so much to learn.

Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!

The beat goes on ...

Wow, the month of March flew by. Can't say I did much except sit on the couch and knit. That darn couch is so comfortable. Sigh!

On the quilting front, a while back, I finished Seaside Cottage wool topper but forgot to post about it! I do like how it turned out. 

It's perfect for my little table in the breakfast nook. The table topper complements my Lego bouquet!

I would be happy to give the pattern away. If anyone is interested, leave a comment and I will contact you. Do make sure to have an email attached/associated with your profile.

Keep well everyone and thanks for stopping by. Cheers!