Sunday, August 23, 2015

Distractions, the Good Kind




Hmm...you might have noticed the above photo is of a completely different project than my mother's sweater.  Well, you'd be right.  I got tired of the stockinette, even though I am only 1 sleeve away from the color work, and cast on for a unplanned for shiny new project.  It's the Campside Shawl by Alicia Plummer.  I've looked at it many times before, but thought I didn't have the right yarn for it in my stash.  You see my stash is pretty much made up of yarn already earmarked for certain projects with only a few odd ball skeins, which often makes it hard for me to imagine using the yarn for something else.  The weather here has turned unseasonably cool and I find myself wanting a warm, yet still summery shawl, which got me to thinking that a cotton/wool blended yarn would be the perfect choice and I actually have such a yarn tucked away.  It's Chesapeake by Classic Elite Yarns in the caramel colorway.  Even though it's sold as a worsted weight I would classify it more as a DK, making it a perfect choice for this shawl pattern.  A match was made and a new project cast on!

Campside only requires just under 800 yards to make, and I have about 1400 yards of this yarn so I am attempting to make the shawl bigger to use up more yarn, and because I want a shawl I can really wrap myself up in.  The pattern consists of yarnover holes that get progressively closer together as the shawl gets bigger until it pretty much makes a lacy lattice pattern.  Then it is finished off by a ribbed border.  The shawl is constructed in 5 sections and I am modifying it by increasing in the first section by 1 extra repeat, the fourth by 2 extra repeats and lastly the 5th by making the ribbing longer than specified.  Making modifications is pretty new to me and it is a little tricky to figure out where in the chart to start the next section, but this has been made easier by a fellow Raveler who drew up line by line written instructions that include stitch counts for every line.  So, I have been able to find my stitch count when starting a new section and begin there, repeating as necessary.  I'm really enjoying the pattern and am already through the first and second sections and just started on the third last night.

There is one other reason I want to knit this shawl - I want it to wear to a knitting retreat I'm going to at the end of September.  It's my first knitting retreat and I'm really, really excited about it.  It's only a hour and a half drive away in Downsville, WI and was actually affordable.  Have you ever noticed that many knitting retreats are quite costly due to location, teachers and whatnot?  This one is run by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, who I simply love, and focuses on knitting smart, speed and efficiency and sock construction.   Of course wearing knit wear to a knitting retreat makes perfect sense right?  Well, most of my knits are for cold winter wear and I have very few items for the coolish yet still warm weather of an early Midwestern Fall.  So, I'm bringing a couple of socks, my color affection shawl, my marin shawl and hopefully this Campside shawl for walks in the surrounding woods.

Well, I'll be adding one more item to the list this week instead of crossing one off.  Ah, maybe nect week it'll go the other way.  If you want to visit the other Year of Project contributors check here.  Wishing you all a great week!

9 comments:

  1. That's going to be such a cosy warm shawl when you're finished :) And the knitting retreat sounds awesome

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  2. I love the shawl, it's such a warm buttery caramel colour and of course you should wear knitted things on your retreat which sounds great by the way, that is what's lacking here in Ireland, knitting retreats! Ruth

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  3. That is such a pretty shawl! I don't always like browns, but that yarn is as yummy as caramel itself!

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  4. Beautiful shawl, that will keep you nice and cosy at your retreat. What a wonderful treat to look forward to.

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  5. I faved both of those projects and I love your yarn choices. I'm thinking that shawl in the mandarin orange colorway for my daughter who loves orange. She would love it and both patterns are so stylish! You are so right about "retreats"...pricey! But if I was back up North (I am so working towards it) I would go with you! Have fun and tell us all about it when you get back!

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  6. Oh I just love the caramel colourway, and it's perfect for the pattern! Nice! And lucky you about the knitting retreat. I've been wanting to go to one too, but haven't found the right combination of price and location. Maybe next year!

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  7. I have that queued, but since I don't like triangular shawls I plan to use the concept of the holes in a crescent or half pi shape. Just need to find time to add it to the pile. But since I have added 2 WIPs to my other 3, I need to not add another right now. I mean, I guess I shouldn't. Right?

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  8. The shawl is pretty. And it will be so fun to be able to take it and wear it on the knitting retreat. Can't wait to hear about that.

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  9. Oh, that shawl is going to be so pretty! And lucky you, going to a knitting retreat. I've never been to one but it sounds quite wonderful!! Looking forward to hearing all about it.

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