And Bands of Angels lace shawl I designed in memory of my father has been complete for a while now but just have not blocked it. BUT, HERE it is drying.
I will share a few pics. I apologize for the blocking pads. These are el cheapo foam from Home Depot that I thought would work for blocking but definitely I struggled with it due to the join. They are huge. I could have used 3 of them.
On my wish list is knitting blocking mats from Amazon for sure.
I have never used blocking wires and I could have used more T pins but this is my shawl drying now.
The picot bind off is not blocked appropriately. I have to get more T pins so I can open up each picot area for a more finished look.
Otherwise, I'm pleased with it.
After soaking in a gentle teaspoon of wash and cold water for 30 minutes, I watched this shawl GROW! Of course lacework will do that.
The number of eyelet rows represents the number of months my daddy was sick with West Nile virus until he died. I knew when I designed this that what I had in mind was the last look on his face and what he could have seen upward as a host of angels. Hence, the name, Bands of Angels.
This is actually the "wrong side" of the shawl. I do not weave in my ends until AFTER blocking.
I love the yarn colorways.
Used Madelinetosh Lite in Antler (cream) and Hosta Blue (green blue/teal)
I definitely designed this to also have an angel wing effect.
I really enjoyed this light fingering weight from Madeline Tosh. One of my favorite brands.
In review, after soaking the 100% merino for 30 minutes in cold water, there was NO bleeding of colors or dye in the water. This is a good thing!
Here are a few pics before blocking. I know I had a couple of questions about whether blocking is always done after knitting. And again, sometimes I do not, depends on the object. But all lacework, I do because it opens up the design considerably.
I didn't measure the before blocking but after blocking the size is
19 inches x 60 inches
Mr. Darcy and I finished a Netflix marathan all day yesterday of 7 seaasons of a program and I cast on another project. I will be sharing that soon.
Over the weekend we enjoyed making fettacinni alfredo, pork chops, salads, and some fresh strawberries sliced up with ice cream and cake.
Summer is definitely here. It's steamy, not too terribly hot just humid from all the afternoon rains.
Soon to have some fresh tomato sandwiches for lunch with lots of mayo, salt and pepper..
Yesterday morning, I enjoyed reading (listening) the first half of Anne of Green Gables. I love that book!
You can actually go to You Tube and look up Anne of Green Gables read along and someone reads this audio with emphasis on characters kind of like Audible.
Click here to enjoy a good 4.5 hour read for part 1 while you enjoy busy chores or needlework.
There are so many quotes from this book I would love to use in a cross stitch design.
From one kindred spirit to another,
Jennifer
