I did it! I finished my Ravelympics 2008 project! My Swallowtail Shawl turned out beautifully! This is the first real lace project that I've ever done, and I can see why so many knitters love knitting lace! While I was knitting this, all I could see was this lumpy, holey piece of purple monstrosity knitting going back and forth on the needles. I blocked it and pinned it out and finally could see how pretty it was. As I was stretching it out and pinning it in place, I was afraid that it would just boing back into the lump that it was on the needles. After I took the pins out, I was so excited to see that it stayed the exact way I pinned it out! It's flat and drapey and beautiful!
I'm glad I chose this as my Olympics project, because it really did turn out to be quite a challenge for me. The two Lily of the Valley charts kicked my ass (the middle lace pattern with the little bobbles). There were many times when I would get to the end of a row and be off by 1 or 2 stitches. I would investigate enough to discover that my real mistake was 2 rows down. I usually don't rip out anything if I can help it, but I knew that mistakes would show very easily in this type of piece. So, like a good knitter, I tinked and ripped back rows and re-did them. Now, I am glad that I did. I love the way it looks!
I feel very proud that I completed this project in such a short period of time. I can't wait to wear this! I'm already going to have an opportunity to soon!
Swallowtail Shawl
Pattern Source: Interweave Knits, Fall 2006
Yarn: Lavish Alpaca Sport
Needles: US 4
Gorgeous! Those bobbles would have left me weeping. Great job!
Posted by: Teresa | August 22, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Rosie, it's awesome! It's really impressive. You did an incredible job. What is this clothing opportunity of which you speak?
Posted by: Santina | August 24, 2008 at 10:22 PM