The Last and the First

The last knit of 2009 and the first of 2010. First FO; surely not the last for the year?Pattern: Springtime Bandit - Kate Gagnon Osborn
Yarn: Rowanspun DK - Sugar Almond - 70 grams
Needles: 4.5mm circular, 5.5mm tips used for the bind off
Started: 2 December 2009
Finished: 1 January 2010First succumbing to small shawl fever, not my first knitted love and not the last I'm sure, but definitely my most favoured finished item so far. A hard gift to give!
I kept gazing proudly at it as it grew. I loved photographing it and playing around with it when it was washed, blocked and dry. I need to work on my blocking technique and equipment - this little piece was quite a challenge with my towel and pin kit. The lacy elements opened up nicely but some points ended up, well, pointing, much better than others and I might have had a second go if time had permitted.It was a joy to knit, a pattern that flowed for me - except the first row of the final chart - with the pattern printed two pages to a page I ended up with symbols I couldn't read - if you knit this do yourself a favour and avoid that pitfall!

I love the combination of the open lace and the rich texture in the pattern, the way the tweedy yarn accentuates this aspect.This is surely the first step on a long lacy path - I foresee more shawls in mixed weights and sizes on my needles soon. There have been many patterns I've long admired but not quite felt the 'must knit now' pull. The pleasure of the Bandit convinces me that these are items for me to make.

Comments

Caffeine Girl said…
I love your Bandit. I can see how it would be hard to give away. It's been on my queue for a while. You make it look doable!
Bells said…
i am, this moment, about to cast on springtime bandit and you have made me very excited to do so! Yours is lovely. Mine is to be a gift too and I'm already anticipating wanting to keep it!
Rachel said…
It's lovely and I can see why you wanted to keep it to yourself. I'm excited to see where the lace addiction pulls you this year!
sheep#100 said…
So pretty and so quick, too!
SueJ said…
Love the bandit -its a great pattern but giving it away? How could you!
Rose Red said…
Oh it looks great! It's a good pattern, isn't it. Especially in a heavier weight yarn, knits up nice and quick!
Geek Knitter said…
Two words for you: Blocking Wires.

I absolutely adore mine, and can't imaging blocking lace without them!

Lovely shawl!
T. said…
Looks like you have a lot of knitting ahead in 2010!
Fiona said…
Gorgeous!
It looks so soft I can almost feel it.
DrK said…
that is so lovely, its such a great pattern. i have recently become a convert of blocking wires myself. a bit awkward at first but the results are first rate!
Kyoko said…
What a gorgeous knit! I love the way the stitches look as if it swirls around.
Haven't done shawl knitting for a while. May be this year I will make one for myself! ;D
x
Kyoko
Kai said…
Lovely Bandit and I absolutely adore the colour you've used.. :)
Petit Filoux said…
Simply beautiful!! Happy new year x
Lynne said…
Very beautiful - I'm sure it was hard to give it away. Well done!
raining sheep said…
This is so beautiful Sarah. It looks so soft and delicate like the most intricate web spun by a team of spiders :) I admire anyone who knits lace, it just does look complicated.
Anonymous said…
What a stunning shawl, just perfect layer for the freezing weather too!
Hi Sarah,

Your shawl is lovely. Did you manage to give it away? Hee Hee Hee. I look forward to seeing more knitted shawls.

Mary
Linda said…
Its beautiful and I love the use of the heavier than laceweight yarn for shawls, and I love the little shawls too!
Anna said…
It's beautiful, I love it in the yarn you chose!

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