Swallow Tail Shawl Knitalong

worsted weight swallow tail....

2010-12-18T12:08:00.001-08:00

its finished and its amazing, not to mention HUGE...once it gets blocked I'll post pics lol

finished swallowtail

2007-11-14T08:58:00.001-08:00

I finished my Swallow Tail! I apologize for not pointing you to the posts earlier. Here they are.

the makeover (October 16)
@#$! early bed times (October 11)

2007-10-02T07:51:00.001-07:00

Here's another picture of my blocked swallowtail, with me holding it to give a sense of scale. I love it:

Here it is!

2007-10-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

I added a set of repeats (recommended here), but it's still teeny. I blocked it pretty vigorously, but it's still kinda small. I'm glad I added the repeats!

I love the yarn--it's Malabrigo laceweight. The color variations are really pretty.

How to make Swallowtail larger?

2007-10-01T04:37:00.000-07:00

I've read that one has to do 19 repeats of the Budding lace chart to make Swallowtail larger. What else is involved? Anything with the border and edging?

Are there links to this information?

Thanks

Freda

2007-09-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

I finished! I think my grandma will love it. I really enjoyed this pattern - the repeats are easy to remember and easy to see when you're making a mistake early! It felt like it just flowed from my needles when I had time to work on it!

I want to warn those using Jaeggerspun zephyr in fuchsia that it bleeds:

Blocking pictures:

my swallowtail

2007-09-21T22:44:00.001-07:00

It's going okay. I'm on repeat #12 or so of the budding lace detail. I went out and got some Lace Addis today and that really sped things up. I'm using Hand Maiden Sea Silk.

I wrote two previous posts about it on my blog, so if you really want to see them here they all
are. The only interesting part is that I did four repeats in Cherry Tree Alpaca silk before I ripped them out and switched to Sea Silk.

I can't wait for this to be done!

I'm obsessed!

2007-09-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

I'm making my very first Swallowtail, and I love it. I did extra repeats to enlarge it, so I'm just now getting to the first Lily of the Valley border. I'm using Malabrigo laceweight, in a candy pink color. I hope the photo is okay--I took it in a rush this morning.

--Judy, aka Nerdy Knitter

2007-08-21T07:40:00.000-07:00

I picked up my swallowtail again last week. I had brought it along on my vacation, but only did a few repeats on the airplane and then put it aside. I'm excited about working on it again and am almost through the budding lace chart. I thought I was through last night, but counted my stitches and still have one more repeat to go. It looks beautiful in the pink zephyrspun. And I'm very inspired by seeing everyone's swallowtails. What percent of the shawl is finished when you finish up lace pattern 2?

I'm almost there!

2007-08-18T18:33:00.001-07:00

My Swallow Tail Shawl is currently soaking. I'm so excited to see my first lace project bloom into something even more beautiful than it currently is. Unfortunately, in my haste to get it to its bath ASAP, I didn't take a "before" photo! d'oh.

Swallowtail Inspired Baby Blankie

2007-08-15T18:19:00.001-07:00

Patons Jet, Wool Alpaca Mix 10 Balls
6mm Knitpicks Options x 2

I started with a circular provisional cast on, and added extra stitches to double the pattern (make it square), and also to make each of the four "ribs" double instead of single knit stitches (just to make it easier to knit in the round.

It took me about 6 weeks, but I moved house in the middle of it, and just got around to blocking yesterday. iPod included for scale. The edging is just moss stitch (seed stitch). Knitted for my new neicephew, due in December '07.

I have the yarn to do this again, but following the edging charts too - for a much bigger blankie, for my baby, due in November.

Swallowtail in Golden Chai

2007-08-15T14:32:00.001-07:00

Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl
Yarn: Artfibers Golden Chai, 100 % golden tussah silk
Amount Used: Over 500 yards
Needles: KnitPicks Options circular 47-inch size 8
Pre-Block Dimensions: Length 27 1/2 ", Width 56"
Post-Block Dimensions: Length 34", Width 70"

Love this yarn! I really can't tell accurately how much I used, as I ran out with 5 rows left to go! I had to order more. I have more details on my blog: http://mymerinomantra.typepad.com

Sea Silk? We'll sea! (Har har)

2007-08-11T22:02:00.000-07:00

I actually knit this last October over two weeks when I was between jobs, and I intended to give it to my Grandmother for Christmas after blocking it.

Sorry, Grandma.

I did finish the shawl (even though I took this picture before finishing the border), but I followed my usual procedure and immediately started knitting something else instead of just taking the last step and finishing the project. (Maybe I enjoy projects so much I never want them to end? Perhaps...) So, when I saw this KAL I thought I'd join it and it would induce me to finally block the dang shawl already.

This picture looks more like "Stingray Shawl" but it shows how the shawl knits up with Hand Maiden Sea Silk and size 4 needles...

As you can see, at this point I still had a lot of yarn left. I had a teeny little bit left over -- about the size of a silver dollar-- when I cast off the final stitch. If anyone is considering making this shawl with Sea Silk, one skein is exactly enough yarn for this project.

Here's a closeup of the rosebud lace:

I have read that the Sea Silk looses up quite a bit during blocking, so I am curious to see what happens. I'll post pictures. Personally, I don't think a person can ever go wrong with silk, so hopefully Grandma will have silky shoulders for Christmas this year-- finally!

WOOHOO I am now blocking

2007-08-09T12:05:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, I finally finished, this was the most intense knit I have completed to date.

Here are my before and during blocking pix

The top corners look a little weird...I know its not completely even, I tried my best, I don't have a T-square like Eunny Jang's example...but it will be flowy right.. so I think it will be okay

I have more pictures on my blog of the blocking progress and measurement before and after

I assume I will leave it like this until tomorrow so its fully set??

Learning to Design Lace

2007-08-04T19:02:00.001-07:00

I am a big fan of Evelyn Clark's designs and am playing with trying to learn to design my own shawl. Does anyone have ideas on books to look at or websites? Or maybe some thoughts? I'm especially stuck on how to build up the edges on either side of the pattern repeat, so that when you start the next repeat, you have enough stitches/

I've been working on the Thistle Lace pattern from Barbara Walker's Teasury, volume 2. My goal is a triangular shawl with a symmetrical, small repeat, then a border, then a peaked edging. The Thistle leaf pattern is a 28-row repeat with purling on all even rows. Here's where I'm stuck:

does the border edge have to keep increasing in number of stitches, or can I increase to the number that I need for the repeat (11) and then do plain knit or repeat the same row on either edge until I get to the end of the 28 rows needed for the pattern repeat?
any ideas on how the border should mirror the pattern? can I just do a small part, or do I need to build up to the entire pattern as I get enough stitches on either side of the repeat?

My blog is at http://pegotty/blogspot.com if you'd rather leave a suggestion there. Any help would be welcomed! Thanks all.

progress half way there

2007-08-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

I signed up in May but I dont believe I ever posted anything, here is where I am at now, I have been procrastinating about switching to circulars, but I dont think I can wait any longer

Im using Lacey Lamb 100% extrafine lambswool, everything else is in a foreign language

I have more info on my blog, but here is where I began some months ago

http://moosieknits.blogspot.com/2007/05/current-wip.html

Finished Swallowtail!

2007-07-31T18:57:00.000-07:00

I finished my Swallowtail Shawl! I am so proud of it! I'm going to enter it in my state fair. Here it is in its entirety:

and here is a close up:

I'm thinking of blocking it again, but this time stretching it out a bit more. We'll see!

My Second Swallowail!

2007-07-21T16:58:00.001-07:00

I just recently finished my second swallowtail, using Knit Picks Shimmer in Turquoise Splendor. It was a much quicker knit the second time around, and I loved every second of it!

More pictures and details on my blog. Happy Knitting!

First Lace Project!

2007-07-16T22:50:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased with the Swallowtail thus far! It's my very first lace project. Here is the beginning of my progress. I pinned it down so you guys can see it, but it's obviously nowhere near done and therefore not blocked.
And here's a close up just to show the detail.
I'm knitting it using Colinette's Jitterbug, I love this yarn! I'm also glad I'm doing my first lace project in fingering weight yarn. Yesterday I casted on for a feather and fin scarf with lace weight and I'm really glad I didn't start with it!

Real Red completed

2007-07-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

I finished this about two weeks ago--before starting the semi-insanity that is the Mystery Stole--but had misplaced the camera.

less than one ball Zephyr Wool-Silk in Real Red
size 4 Inox Express 24" circular plus a tapestry needle to aid in nupping (see my earlier post for info on this)

I am really proud of how this turned out; It's my first lace project and I love everything about it. Visit my blog for a few more details. :-) Thanks, all!

2007-07-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

I've started a swallowtail! I made an Icarus shawl this year and am in love with lace. It turned out pretty huge and took me five months so a smaller project is looking good. I'm going to visit my grandma tomorrow and it'll be a gift for her when I finish. She loves deep hot pink so when I saw some halcyon yarn zephyr spun in fuchsia I knew it was perfect. I started this weekend and am looking forward to working on it on the airplane tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone on this knitalong whose advice and beautiful finished swallowtails are inspiring me!

my Swallowtail is finished...

2007-06-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

Washed and blocked this morning and ready for her photo shoot late this afternoon, my Swallowtail. I'm not 100% pleased with the 3-stitch bobble substitution for the nupps. Next time around, I'll try some of the other variations I've been reading about. The color in the photos is a lot more eye-popping than the actual color of the yarn (Jade Sapphire's Cashmere and Silk laceweight in Blueblood Red) which is a warmer, pinky red. Working with this yarn was a luxurious treat. When I picked up one of my favorite merino wool sock yarns this morning, it took almost an hour not to feel as if I were knitting with baling wire after working with the cashmere and silk. :)

She's Flown the Nest

2007-06-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

It was fun. I'd do it again. Here's a pic:
There's more pics on my blog - Something To Laugh About
Specs: Morehouse Merino Lace - 2 skeins in coral
Needles: Addi Turbo Lace Size 5 and for the last row and bind off I used Crystal Palace bamboo circulars Size 8
Some thoughts: I wasn't fond of the transition to the Lily of the Valley border. I ended up liking nups after the first 1 or two rows of them. Watching it grow and bloom when I blocked it was great!

Addicted to LACE

2007-06-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

I just started knitting lace over the summer and I must say I LOVE it! I can't wait to get started on this shawl, tho I have to find my missing interweave that HAS this pattern in it...*sigh*

But you will be seeing this off my needles VERY soon!

nope to nupps

2007-06-24T15:56:00.000-07:00

I'm in the home stretch, working the Peaked Edging now. I spent several evenings trying all kinds of permutations to achieve the 'nupps'. With the purl 5 together nigh on impossible for me to execute with my Inox greys, I started trying out different things. I finally settled on a 3-stitch bobble which, while not entirely to my satisfaction, is better than throwing down the knitting in complete frustration. ;)

New member and yardage

2007-06-21T23:31:00.001-07:00

Hello! This will be my first major lace project (I've done a couple of small scarves and handkerchiefs) and I'm very excited! I ordered a back copy of the magazine, so I can't wait for it to come in to get started! I was wondering if someone could leave a comment with the yardage required for this project? I would like to go ahead and purchase the yarn so I'm ready when the magazine comes in! Thank you!

My 2nd Swallowtail Shawl

2007-06-12T03:41:00.000-07:00

Knitting is addictive as it is, but knitting triangle shawls are even more so. I have more or less stopped knitting anything else!!

Here's my 2nd Swallowtail again, using the handpainted 100% wool lace yarn from Handpainted Yarn.

Even hubby was impressed!

Nupps?

2007-06-10T04:20:00.000-07:00

Everyone who has finished a shawl is a true artist!! They are all beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!
I am trying to do the nupps on the first chart. I always come out with the wrong count. I've been doing the cheater method.
Could someone just tell me the sequence of the abbreviated 'real'ones? I don't understand the symbol.
Even with a broken arm I can knit for awhile, but I'm on the verge of packing all mt stuff away upstairs. Can someone help me? thanks so much.... Star

My Swallowtail So Far

2007-06-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks Lois for inviting me. Here's a picture:
This is my first shawl. I'm a fairly new lace knitter, and I love it. I'm almost to the next section, and I can't wait to experience nupps! (I hear groans)
Yarn: Morehouse Merino Laceweight, in coral
Needles: Addi Lace Size 4

More shots at www.donnac368.blogspot.com

Getting started

2007-06-06T22:10:00.000-07:00

I am loving my Swallow Tail Shawl. This is really the first substantial lace pattern I have attempted. While I am having some stupid moments *i don't understand why this row won't work out... OH i am trying to knit the wrong row...* I keep gently ripping to get back, I feel like I am accomplishing something wonderful. The yarn is Blue Sky Alpaca, which I bought years ago, before the Swallow Tail pattern graced the pages of Interweave Knits. I have intended to knit this yarn in this pattern for quite some time. I am also knitting on US 10.5's because the yarn is fairly thick, and I want a big shawl :) I also read a comment on some one else's post that stated that after the 14 repeat of the Budding Lace, 5 repeat sequences will make the Lily of the Valley charts work out correctly. Has anyone tried this and had it work successfully or unsuccessfully?
More details about this shawl's life posted on my blog.

my humble beginning

2007-05-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

It's taken me months to get started, but I finally settled on a yarn for this project and have gotten underway. The yarn is Jade Sapphire cashmere and silk in Blueblood Red. I chose this yarn and started my knitting before I saw Dana's red in Zephyr! Gotta love the reds. :)

First Swallowtail

2007-05-29T22:13:00.001-07:00

I love this pattern so much! And using Sea Silk didn't suck either. I took a few pictures of the finished shawl at the Missouri Botanical Garden and posted them on my blog. Now I want to do another one, but I can't decide what yarn to use. I'm so glad there is this KAL so I can see so many possibilities!

Nupp tip

2007-05-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I am new to this KAL--I started the shawl a couple of weeks ago as my first lace project. I am using JaggerSpun Zephyr (silk/wool blend) in color Real Red on a size US4 Inox Express circular. I just completed row 6 of the first border and, whew--I'm kind of glad I started without reading this KAL--I think the nupps would have scared me off. Now that I'm there, though, it's exciting to learn a new skill. (You can read more on my blog should you be so inclined!)

I wanted to share the technique I'm using for the nupps just in case it helps anyone else in my situation.

After all the swearing and the poking and the feeling desperate, I discovered a method for nupping that is less painful and more efficient, for me at least. Each time I come to the p5tog, I carefully slip the five stitches onto a metal tapestry needle and hold it to the front, sort of like using a cable needle. I then purl the stitches together from the tapestry needle rather than the left knitting needle. The smaller diameter of the tapestry needle gives me the wiggle room I need to clear all five stitches, wrap the working yarn, and purl it through. It's still really fiddly, but the nupps look great. There are a couple I could have done better, but even my perfectionism balks at ripping back to my lifeline unless I really have to.

Nupp said.

Mine is finished too!!

2007-05-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

Hi, everyone.

I also managed to finish my shawl some time ago. About a month or so. And yes, it did not take too long to knit even though I've been so busy lately that I did not knit as much as I would have liked and it has taken me even longer to find some time to blog about it and upload some pictures.

I used under one skein of lace wool from handpaintedyarn.com on 3.5mm needles and may make another one in the same dusty pink colour.

Finished!!!

2007-05-29T02:39:00.001-07:00

I finished knitting Sunday evening, then overdyed & blocked it Monday and I love it..... You may remember I was not happy with the yarn colours, it wasn't so much the colours but the fact they fought against the lace pattern and won.... so the plan was to overdye the shawl once complete and I absolutely love the result.....

so we have gone from this....

to this...

and finally (the above photo reflects the true colous)...

There are more photos and details on my blog. But I would definitely do more of these in the future....

Not perfect

2007-05-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Neither the knitting nor the blocking is perfect, but I still like how it came out.

I used it for the theater last night (Jon Fosses Eg er vinden), and it felt just like a shawl to have to the theather.

I did the knitting off too thight, that explains why the tails really not are tails. But it still works, doesn't it?

Holiday express!

2007-05-24T11:57:00.001-07:00

I have fineshed in no time (just over one week) ... It's now in water, I plan to block it tonight :)

Nupps, Nupps & More Nupps....

2007-05-23T02:25:00.000-07:00

I have now finally finished Lily Border 1 and have progressed to Lily border 2.... the Nupps are getting easier

Lily of the Valley Border 1

2007-05-17T07:07:00.000-07:00

I finished working the Budding Lace on Tuesday and last night started the Lily of the Valley Border 1 last night..... The photograph doesn't really show anything too well. The yarn is beautiful to knit with, very soft but a lovely even yarn; no lumps or bumps. I have decided that once the shawl is finished I am definitely going to over-dye it in a pink as it's far too busy....

Not far, but far enough :)

2007-05-14T01:37:00.000-07:00

The whole spring I have had exams, and this shawl has been my getting-through-it-project. And now, at last, I can start :D

Yarn and time and needles and travelling - what a beautiful combination, don't you think?

MMM Yummy Yellow

2007-05-11T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hi all you lovely knitters! Your shawls are ALL beautiful!

I got the pattern from my LYS and some fabulous yellow yarn. I can't wait to start.

Last night I tried to cast on and was totally stumped.I'm a slow learner,so I will need lots of help, I just know it!

How do you decide what size needles to use? I see some of you have used really large needles and your shawls are soooooo pretty. Anyway love it , love it, love it !!!

My First Post....

2007-05-06T05:44:00.000-07:00

I cast on yesterday afternoon and got a couple of repeats done of the main pattern. I love the colours in this yarn I dyed myself but don't think it works for lace, so I think when the shawl is finished I will over-dye it to unify the colours or I feel it will detract from the pattern......

The yarn is from Yarn Treehouse on ebay and is 100% wool, quite fine, so I have doubled the yarn before dying to give the correct weight for the pattern.... I am using KP Options 3.5mm

First Post Here

2007-05-04T05:19:00.000-07:00

I joined this KAL quite a while ago, but I didn't start the actual knitting of the shawl until just last night. Here's a picture of what I've accomplished so far just to show that I'm really doing it! I actually started it the other day using Misti Alpaca like the pattern shows, but I wasn't falling in love with that yarn so last night I switched over to using some Elann's Peruvian Baby Silk in a really pretty pink that I had laying around in my stash, I really like that yarn! And I'm using some KnitPicks Options needles that I had too, they are pretty nice. I can't decide which I like better, those or the new Addi lace needles (I have already acquired several of those). This is a pretty easy pattern so far, I can't wait until I get to the dreaded nupps! I might do the bead thing instead, I think this pink would be really pretty with some beads. I'll have to think about it when I get there. I will probably post more about my progress on this over here on my blog.

Done

2007-04-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

It's done, blocked, all that left to do is to weave in ends.

Please visit my blog for details.

New "Tail" in Town

2007-04-15T13:08:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone.
Just joined this talented group. I have finished the 14 repeats of the first chart and trying to get into the tormenting nupp's.
I had to rip rows 5, 6 & 7 because, obviouly, I made a mistake and nupp's did not line up properly. Ugh!
I am using the Shadow yarn (100% merino wool) in Grape Jelly from KnitPicks.
Will try to take a photo and post soon.

Help needed

2007-04-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

Hi. I finally started my Swallowtail Shawl. I am using very thin yarn on 3mm needles and, although I am nearly done with the 14 reps of the Budding Lace 2 chart, the result is still ridiculously small. So I am planning to do more reps of this pattern before I start the Lily of the Valley border. I would like to know, from those that have already got so far, the approximate measures of your Budding lace sections. Thank you.

Christmas Swallowtail (a little late...)

2007-02-24T18:10:00.000-08:00

I finished my swallowtail for grandma, which was supposed to be her christmas present! oops. i hope she'll like it anyway.
excuse the indoor shot; it's pouring rain here.

nupps:
i used knitpicks alpaca cloud and knitpicks options circs. they were both lovely to work with. even though it took awhile, i loved this pattern and i'll probably make another. more details and a blocking shot on my blog.

happy knitting!

I'm done!

2007-02-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

I have finally finished my Swallowtail Shawl. Here's a couple of snaps:

It is my first ever 'proper' lace project and I love it. Even though it took me some time to knit (I am a slow knitter) I found the pattern very easy and didn't make too many mistakes - well none that are visible after blocking anyway!

Yarn Used: Jaggerspun Zephyr in teal
Needle size: 3.5mm
Size (after blocking): 41" wide, 16" long

Thanks for all your tips! The sl 3, p2tog, psso was definitely a lot easier than p5tog.

Laura x

Noro Kureyon for Swallowtail?

2007-01-14T17:11:00.000-08:00

I have some Noro Kureyon that I'm thinking of using for the Swallowtail Shawl. Here's a picture:

The yarn is a worsted weight, and a mixture of wool, silk and angora. A bit rough to the hand, but beautiful. Do you think that it would work? And if not, does anyone have a suggestion for a shawl pattern for a worsted-weight yarn?

Thanks.

Finished and Done

2007-01-14T16:30:00.000-08:00

She is finally blocked and ready for her debut. The size after blocking is 60" across and 28" edge to point. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. It's very drapey and next to the cheek soft. This will make a nice Christmas present and may be one of my entries for the county fair this year. Despite all the frogging that went on during this project I'm sure eventually I'll knit another one.

Done, With Baby Cashmere

2007-01-11T15:19:00.000-08:00

Yarn: Elann's Baby Cashmere (60% alpaca, 30% merino, 10% cashmere)

Amount Used: 480 yards/440 meters/3.85 oz./110 grams

Needles: KnitPicks Options Interchangeable size 7 US (4.5mm)

Pre-Block Dimensions: Length - 22", Width - 49"

Post-Block Dimensions: Length - 30", Width - 63"

Such a wonderful pattern! The nupps slowed me down, but they were very easy to do. I had to frog a couple of rows at the beginning, and I had 2 dropped stitches toward the end, involving YO's, but I was easily able to pick them up again (don't ask me how!). It took me about 10 days to complete, and I did not knit for hours at a time. I will make this pattern again, as it was very satisfying. Thanks for this KAL!

More pics on blog:

http://mymerinomantra.typepad.com

A sort of Swallowtail

2007-01-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

Yarn: Mountain Colors Weavers Wool, it's 3-ply and about a dk weight, 1 skein
Color: Ruby River
Notes on yarn: purchased, already wound, on ebay. I had one knot and a whole section in which a ply was broken. Not happy about that, especially since it wasn't mentioned by the seller. Bigones, it was gorgeous.
I had to alter the pattern a bit due to the yarn. It became abundantly clear about halfway through the second nupp chart that I would not have enough yarn...by a LONG SHOT. So, I ripped back to the budding lace and figured -after a bit of calculating - that I could go straight from there at 199 stitches or so, to the final chart. It didn't work quite like I thought it would (there were a few more stitches around the center then I thought there should be, but I just worked them in st st and kept it symetrical). I had to cut two rows from the final chart, too. It was about 43x23 blocking, but I think it pulled in a smidge after I unpinned it. I wore it to work the next day and received many compliments and a few requests. Not bad for my first lace project.
Behold:

2007-01-08T21:00:00.000-08:00

While I was in Pemberton, I finished the Swallowtail Shawl.

This was just a joy to knit. The pattern is beautifully knitted, and it's interesting enough that you don't get bored. There were quite a few things that were new to me in this shawl. It was my first trianglular shawl, my first provisional cast-on, and my first attempt at nupps. Luckily all were relatively smooth. I will mention that it really doesn't do to drop a stitch directly above a nupp. It's not very easy to pick up and get going again!

I blocked the shawl on a grotty rug on the floor of the cabin we stayed in, and we all kept wandering by to admire the blocking transformation. I think this is easily the most impressive-looking thing I've knit.

I have gifted this to my grandmother Jessica. I don't have any photos of her wearing it - I didn't have my camera with me - but she seems to like it, and I think the color suits her well.

Cross-posted on What Katie Did.

Have You Tackled Your Nupps Today?

2007-01-06T18:58:00.000-08:00

I have, and I am a better person for it.

Prior to seeing the Swallowtail Shawl pattern, I had never heard of a nupp. I am still not sure what it means, but I know that it is like a bobble. On the right side row, the nupp requires a YO and then knit into the same stitch 3 times. On the wrong side row, the pattern states to purl 5 together over that same spot. I thought I would have an easier go of it with my KnitPicks Options needles, which have a sharper point than my regular Addi Turbos, but that was not the case, despite the fact that I try to knit a looser gauge with lace. So, on the purl side, I just used a crochet hook and put the 5 stitches onto the hook. Then I did a YO, and pulled through all the loops on the hook. I also did another YO to close the bobble, and add a slight dimension to the height. Yes, indeed, it slows me down to a screeching halt, but it looks great, and is not at all difficult. Perhaps on my next Swallowtail I will use the sl2,p3tog, pass 2 slipped stitches over technique. I love Aran stitches, and I love bobbles. Added to the lace pattern, it gives it great character. This is an easy and fun pattern so far, although I did make some mistakes, and had to frog a couple of rows.

http://mymerinomantra.typepad.com

Nupp-tastic!

2007-01-02T05:15:00.000-08:00

I cast on my Swallowtail just before Christmas and am just now getting to the last row of the Lily of the Valley chart 1. I'm using Posh Yarns Seraphina* (Cashmere, angora) which is lovely to work with and so far, so good...famous last words possibly. This is the colour:

I'm really looking forward to blocking this, as it's my first lace shawl and although I can see the pattern vaguely now it's on the needles, I keep wanting to stretch it out and gaze at it!

*Edited for correct yarn name. D'oh!

The Knitting is Done

2006-12-31T07:56:00.001-08:00

After ripping back two rows of the last chart and attempting to finish I found that I still didn't have enough yarn. I bought a skein of a different dye lot that to my eye matches perfectly. The knitting was finished last night. Here is the shawl before blocking.

It measures 38" across and 19" from the edge to the point. After a trip to the store for T-pins I'll get this baby blocked. I'm thinking of knitting another of this pattern in a laceweight alpaca. I'll probably add more repeats of the budding lace chart to create a larger shawl. Now I just have to decide what color to make it. I want something a little brighter after working on such a dark color. (The color in this picture is brighter than the actual navy.)

I haven't started yet

2006-12-30T10:57:00.000-08:00

The first thing I did was sign up here because I couldn't wait. Then, I received my IW Knits mag, rather late because I had recently subscribed and, they said, the first issue takes quite some time to arrive (it is faster for the next ones). Now I am wondering what yarn I should use - the one recommended at Knits or something else? I look at your photos and love all your shawls and your yarns. I may still shop around the net a bit more; I have to buy on line as there is hardly anything to choose from around here. In the meantime, I will finish some other projects. Happy knitting in 2007.

done!

2006-12-29T17:39:00.000-08:00

Done! I'm really happy with the way this shawl turned out: a perfect mix of open airiness and structure, good transitions between sections, and a beautiful peaked edging.

My notes:
Pattern; Swallowtail Shawl, Interweave Knits, Fall 2006
Designer: Evelyn Clark
Yarn: Rovings Canada 80/20 wool-silk in a natural shade of brown, straight from the fleece, fingering weight
Needles: size 8 Bryspun 24" circular, size 8 Addi Turbo 40" circular
I I had it Do Over Again: I wouldn't change anything. Even the fearsome nupps in the third and fourth charts turned out to be worth the time and effort, forming little French-knot like exclamation points amidst the swirl of the lace patterns. Soft, lightweight, warm.

The shawl, originally knit for one of my assistants, is going, instead, to Cyprus as a gift for the woman who hosted my daughter during her home stay and semester abroad last year. The shawl seemed to know this and refused to pose for a picture adequate to its beauty. Perhaps I'll be able to post it looking out to the Mediterranean once it reaches the recipient?

2 to Go!

2006-12-19T07:36:00.000-08:00

Two rows to go, bind off, block. It's the mad rush to be ready for Christmas giving. Must deliver by Friday!

made my deadline

2006-12-16T16:33:00.000-08:00

somehow i actually made my final hard deadline of finishing by 4pm on Friday.

Here she is pre-blocking. Full post can be seen at penguingirl.com. Now to wind up the next skein and start again. This time I might try the bobbles, though I like her as is without. There are some errors in my knitting (in bad spots too) but for my first lace project? I'm pretty impressed. :)

Oh and just as a reminder to those knitting on a deadline. You have to bind off some 323 stitches... I forgot that she'd keep growing, especially over the last few rows.

So Close Yet...

2006-12-16T05:37:00.000-08:00

I finished the last row of the peaked edging chart last night and have about 12" of yarn left. I have no more skeins of this yarn. I doubt there is any chance of getting any of the same dye lot of the yarn since I've had this yarn in my stash just over a year. I checked with the shop where I bought the yarn and they don't have any more. I am now faced with two options. Option 1, order a skein of a different dye lot to finish up. Option 2, take out the last two rows of the peaked edging and finish from there. This is where all you knitters that have completed shawls come in to play. How would losing those last two rows of peaked edging impact the look of the shawl. Should I just order another skein? Help........

Edited to add - The yarn I'm using is Blue Sky Alpaca 100% alpaca sportweight. Color 308 (navy), dye lot 9470

Losing my patience with lace!

2006-12-14T03:50:00.000-08:00

I am having a mini-crisis with my shawl.

I am about 10 stitches short and have no idea why. I can only imagine that I am accidentally dropping the yarn overs on the purl row or am actually forgetting to do the yarn overs in the first place.

Thank goodness I put a lifeline in after I finished the budding lace 2 chart! I will (when I get the courage, will power and time) rip back to the lifeline and 'add' the necessary stitches in. I'm not bothered about tweaking; I'm sure I won't even be able to spot the tweaks once it's blocked.

And then I have to face the nupps!

Remind me again why I thought lace was a good idea?

Shifting to Beta Blogger

2006-12-11T17:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Knitters,

I had shifted all my blogs to the Beta Blogger, hence there will be some fine tuning to this blog.

Currently, I'm still trying to sort out the Contributor list. Your kind patience is very much appreciated.

Meanwhile I shall have all the FOs group together.

<3

14 "rows" and what do i get?

2006-12-10T21:59:00.000-08:00

both closer to my goal of a completed swallowtail by THIS Wednesday evening and an addiction. this evening i finally finished the repeats of the budding lace 2 chart. it's now 1am my time and i just knit 2.5 rows of the lily of the valley 1. i'm forcing myself to post this and then go off to sleep. i wish i had time to knit in the morning before leaving for work.

i was originally going to title this post ode to a lifeline. i haven't had to use them much (yay!!) but it's so reassuring knowing that they are there for me. :)

i'm also amazed that i have actually knit all of this. this is my first lace. this is also my first really big project; i've just been knitting socks and gloves and felted bags. it's for my MIL and i have a massive deadline to finish it (not to mention work and other obligations). [and then i get to knit #2 for my mum] i'm amazed to watch it grow from

to

i really look forward to finishing and then blocking and watching the magic!

all details (and larger images) can be found somewhere at penguingirl.com.

Finally Finished!

2006-12-07T06:25:00.000-08:00

I actually finished mine this last weekend and debuted it on Monday. I sorta forgot I was really a member of this group and not just a lurker. Heh. So without further ado...

The obligatory ass shot:

I'm so freakin' excited over this. I tried to get this done in time for Lacevember but I missed the deadline by 2 days. I blame Karen for that. I was lead to believe that Lacevember was actually 2 months long and thus I felt free to slack and concentrate on Christmas gift knitting. Silly me. Ah well. It's alright. So I don't win a prize but I do have a mistake free gorgeous shawl!

Here it is pre-blocking:

Forgive the busy towels under it. My white towels are for my own personal use. Not for my knitting thankyouverymuch.

For the blocking, I went to the hardware store looking for some welding wire or at least some stainless steel type of rod. Screw that. Those suckers were $7 each. So the frugal side of me opted for the under $3 solution. Bezzie would be proud.

Dowel rods. They worked perfectly fine for my purposes. As you see, this sucker grew a lot by blocking. I'd always heard of the magic of blocking lace but to see it for myself, simply amazing.

Details:

Pattern: Swallowtail Lace Shawl from Fall '06 Interweave Knits
Yarn: Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool it's a dark navy blue I don't have the color number. It took just over 2 hanks.
Needles: US 8
Started: October 12th
Finished: December 2nd.

It would have been a much faster knit but it was my first lace shawl and I didn't want to screw it up so I took my time and only worked on it on Sundays for the most part. Except for this last week. I was freaking out trying to get it done so I brought it to my knitting group wednesday night. As Tvini can attest, I had went to the pub before knitting group (The Interlacements! The yarn shop is next door to the pub! Geez, gimme a break people.) and well, in the couple hours I was at the knitting group, I didn't even get through a whole row. I tinked back the same row a total of 3 times. 3 times for the right half of the shawl, and 3 times for the left half. Apparently beer makes it really hard to count. Or something. Heh. Thank God for lifelines. And that's all I have to say about that.
Oh, and as for the nupps - I went with the slip 3 p2tog psso option. Much neater and less aggravating than trying the p5tog or the crochet hook method.

Swallowed but not Digested

2006-12-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Full disclosure: I missed the edge of the page when I made my copy of the Swallowtail Shawl pattern.
Doesn't this look like the whole pattern is there? Nice, clean margins. And it made sense to this knitter, still new to lace, that a yarnover on either side of a K1,yo, K1 would equal the 5 stitches needed for the nupp.

But no. Here's the real thing. The lace teacher at my LYS (who is publishing a pattern in Knitter's Magazine this winter or spring) discerned the error for me. Not sure how she figured it out, but I'm now back to work on the Lily Border I, about to work Row 4 and the dreaded P5tog in some fashion or other.

Casted Off!

2006-12-04T19:06:00.000-08:00

Who knew it was going to go this quick!? I sure didn't. Boy was this fun! I am so happy with the way it turned out. Once again I am awe of Mrs. Evelyn A. Clark!

I did understand though the whole P5 fiasco. It surely does help to do those K1 Yos Loose! If I did this again I would probably do a few more nubs, but this was perfect.

This is a Christmas gift for my boyfriend's mother.

x-posted in more detail

Swallowtail in Nuppland

2006-12-02T17:48:00.000-08:00

Just entering Nuppland, and it's been a long time since I posted. How in the world are you guys getting this done in a week?

Anyway, here we are. Very happy still with Rovings silk and wool blend. Happy with Budding lace. Not too happy with the beginning of the Lily Chart 1, as I was halfway through Row 3 before I realized that I'd missed the K2tog at the very beginning of the row.

I'd appreciate any help out there from those of you who've finished or reached the first Lily border.
Should I be trying to make the yarnover and knits as loose as possible so that the P5tog is easier to work?

And on odd rows, how do the yarnovers on either side of the nupps factor into the stitch count on either side of the P5tog? For example, in the repeat at the beginning of row 4, will I be counting six purl stitches, then P5tog, then 3 more purls -- or -- purl five stitches, P5tog, purl 2 stitches?

The Bulls are playing the Wizards, so a few minutes to blog, then basketball and Swallowtail.
Update: Nupps are much trickier than I'd anticipated and don't mix well with watching a basketball game.

Swift Swallowtail!

2006-11-30T11:44:00.000-08:00

She was done in just over a weeks time :) and most of the knitting was probably concentrated in to one day and a couple of evenings.

I have been trying to figure out different ways to wear triangular shawls, and I have some suggestions listed on my site - I went on that quest because I love knitting lace, but never wear it - mostly because I have no idea how to LOL

More info on the Swallowtail can be found via my Blog - if you're not interested in reading about how to wear lace, just scroll to the bottom and follow the link to my finished objects blog.

done!

2006-11-30T01:44:00.000-08:00

this was such a great knit that i didn't want it to end. but i blocked it last night to complete it in time for lacevember. isn't it great how the metamorphosis takes place?

before

after

i use jaggerspun zephyr laceweight in ebony, with lots left over from the 2-oz ball. i bought 2 in case of a shortage because i had planned to increase to 19 repeats, but now it just means that i can make one for myself ^^

Casted on!

2006-11-29T18:14:00.000-08:00

Hello! I'm Margaux from Hoboken, NJ! I've just casted on for the Swallowtail. How did I not do this sooner, who knows... I'm slighty obsessed with Ms. Clark and her creations. This one is flying, so I can see how one could whip this out in 7 days. But I was curious, how many pattern repeats did everyone do for the Budding Lace... I'm coming up to my 14th repeat and feel like I want to put a few more in there but don't want to over power it?

I'm using Regia Silk for my shawl. Anyone else use this yarn?

x posted here

Happy is a lace project on blocking wires

2006-11-28T14:55:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the photoless post - I just had to write in and say my Swallowtail is now happily blocking away and should be dry by the time I get home tonight :) Finished in just over a week lol - much faster than my first lace project...

a silly question perhaps, but you all should be in the know - just what are the various ways a triangular shawl can be worn? The only ways I can think of are:
- to drape it over both shoulders,
- wear it kinda like the model, though this does require that the shawl be scarf-sized or it gets to be a bit overwhelming
- wear it sarong-like around the hips (though I can't imagine wearing the swallowtail that way!)

Hoping for good light to get the finished swallowtail photo tomorrow!

Katie, great minds think alike! =)

2006-11-27T16:39:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody!
I joined the KAL last week, and I am already finished with my Swallowtail.

I started it on Nov. 19th, and finished on the 26th. That's right 7 day's from start to finish.

Before I wrote this entry..I noticed Katie's post. My shawl is an exact replica of the one in IK as well. I did it on accident. I did not realize it until I was about 4 repeats in...

Just for fun, here it is before blocking..the transformation is amazing to see!

So here you go. I love it. It is my first ever finished lace project, and I am now an addict.
I want to do another one, but there are so many lace patterns out there calling to me!

Starting My Swallowtail Shawl

2006-11-27T06:18:00.000-08:00

When I teach people to knit, they're always terribly disappointed when they go into a yarn store and find that yarn is on the expensive side: "I thought it would be cheaper to make things than to buy them". I sympathize, and try to point out that if they were to buy a well made item of clothing, from nice materials that it may well cost more (this Anthropologie cardigan is a case in point). I also try to point out that knitting is about more than this. I mean, if I desperately need something, I go out and buy it, I'm not going to sit down and knit it. For me knitting is about process. Still, occasionally, I come across a bargain, and when I do I find it hard not to get excited. When I saw Misti Alpaca Lace (the suggested yarn for the Swallowtail shawl featured in the Fall 2006 issue of Interweave Knits) in Windsor Button for a mere $7 a skein (you can find it online for similar prices), I knew I was onto something. I mean, how often is it that you buy a beautiful lace alpaca shawl for just $7?

I'm actually making a complete copy of the Swallowtail Shawl in the magazine. Not only is the yarn the same, but it's the same color, too (although the color in real life is very different from the color as printed in the magazine). I'm having a lot of fun knitting this. The first few repeats of the lace pattern were a little trying, but this is always the case for me. Now that I've got the pattern in my head and understand how it works the shawl is just zooming along.

I think I'll give this to my Dad's mother. It's been a while since I knit her something, and I think she uses the other shawls I've made for her. The Sea Mist color will look wonderful on her, too.

Cross-posted on What Katie Did.

Despite the nupps...

2006-11-25T13:13:00.000-08:00

Despite the effort of the nupps to drive me insane, I have finished my Swallowtail and am delighted with it.

In fact, I might even consider doing it again, though this time I would be prepared for the nupps and how to "cheat."

There are more details about the finished shawl on my blog.

This Knitalong was a great help, not only in dealing with the nupps but also in selecting the yarn. Thanks to all of you!

Weaving in the ends...

2006-11-24T15:44:00.000-08:00

I posted earlier that my shawl was complete. But, what I don't have is knowing to weave in the strand at the beginning of the shawl and the one at the end.

Would some kind soul please post or email me (singularstitches AT hotmail DOT com how to do this. I didn't think there was any post that covered this, but if there is, can someone point me to it.

Thanks a bunch!! :o)

Love That Yarn!

2006-11-24T14:15:00.000-08:00

Hi! I'm so glad there is a Knitalong for the Swallowtail Shawl. I can't wait to start. I'll be using Baby Cashmere from elann, an alpaca, merino, and cashmere blend fingering weight yarn, in the Peacock color. I hope to cast on within a week or two.

2006-11-24T05:01:00.000-08:00

Hello,

I was hoping that my first post would be an FO of my finished shawl but I've been having some trouble with the bind off. It seems so simple that I feel silly--but I've done it twice and had to frog both times. I've done: k2, return those stitches to the left needle and k2tog through the back loop, k1, over all the stitches until I've bound off down to 1 stitch. But I'm left with a straight edge, instead of a pointed one. I know that I'm reading the pattern wrong, but I can't seem to get it right. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I don't want another trip to the frog pond on 300+ stitches.

Garter stitch "revision"

2006-11-22T19:11:00.000-08:00

This is about the best picture I could get of the budding lace pattern in garter stitch. Should it stay or should it go? If I keep it I'll switch to st st when I get to the next chart. I'm leaning towards frogging and just starting over.

RosyII

2006-11-21T20:22:00.000-08:00

AKA, STSIII, is blocking right this moment. 3 down, many more to go. *finds a wall to bang head on*

.

More details on my blog.

D'oh!

2006-11-21T13:58:00.000-08:00

You're going to get a kick out of this one -
Ok, I took your kind suggestions to use a 'heavier than lace weight' yarn for my first project and I cast on with beautiful Weavers Wool Quarters (Ruby River colorway). So, I'm knitting quite happily along and making excellent progress, if I do say so myself, when I go back and take another look at the pattern. . . more closely than I had before, I guess. You know what? This shawl is in st st, not garter stitch . . . oops! And I was following the chart so well, counting my stitches, placing my markers; what a goof! If it had just said somewhere - THIS SHAWL IS KNIT IN ST ST - I would have automatically purled the wrong side rows, excepting the edge stitches. Oh jeez.
It doesn't look bad, just different. But what to do? Continue as is until the next chart, then switch to st st? Maybe run a lifeline and try a repeat in st st and see how it looks, then decide if frogging is worth it? Any sage advice?

Hooray! I cast on!

2006-11-20T15:44:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited. I finally finished all my other knitting "responsibilities" (I think) and I cast on for the Swallowtail!

I'm knitting fingering weight yarn on US7s. I like how the open bits look, but am still deciding what I think of the stockinette portions...course, I'm uh 5 repeats in or so at this point, so I may have my mind made up for me...I really don't want to have to rip back all that lace!

I'm sort of dreading the Nupps, having never Nupped before...but it sounds like there are a couple of options for the Nupping - I'll have to see how things go, course it may be a while yet as I've still got to decide if I'm going to stop at 14 pattern repeats or push onwards for the 19...

Just completed the bind off!!!

2006-11-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

Here it is! Will be doing some big time blocking tomorrow.

More details on my blog: Singular Stitches.

Finished!

2006-11-15T19:43:00.000-08:00

Yarn: Joseph Galler Prime Alpaca - ivory? natural?
Needles: Size 4 Inox 24" circulars

I had a few problems getting started with this pattern. I haven't knit much lace, and at the beginning I didn't know what it should look like. So, when I screwed something up, I would end up ripping back two or three rows... Once I got a rhythm though, it was smooth sailing, and a pretty quick knit.

I wasn't sure how this pattern would end up looking with a sport-weight yarn, but I love it. I like that it's not so big, and that the stitches are close... Altogether a successful project!

Nupp

2006-11-13T17:09:00.000-08:00

I took a few pics of my shawls' nupp-making.. A general reference in case anyone is having prob with theirs.

Hope that helped.

Delayed Start

2006-11-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

*sigh* anyone else in the same boat I'm in?
I saw a friend's swallowtail and then decided I *had* to knit one for myself...
unfortunately (of course) I don't think I have appropriate yarn for it in my stash (tho now that I think about it...I just might have a good yarn for this project though it may drive me nuts since it has no stretch or bounce to it (bamboo)) - I have been toying with handspinning yarn for this project even though i know it will still wind up a tiny bit thick and thin - oy, the dilemmas...

In the meantime, I can't start on the project because of holiday knitting *wail*

I look forward to seeing everyone elses swallowtails growing though!

Hey!

2006-11-13T06:04:00.000-08:00

I just joined in the kal fun. This would be my first kal and im quite excited. Im also really excited at the idea of finishing my already started shawl. I had SUCH a hard time with this at first and finally got the first set of repeats figured out. I love looking at everyone's finished shawls. Its so motivating.
Is anyone using straight needles? I see everyones pics with circs.

Hi!

2006-11-12T05:12:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd drop in and introduce myself!

The Swallowtail Shawl is my first ever lace shawl, and to be honest I'm surprised I've got this far without any major mistakes:

I'm using Jaggerspun Zephyr in Teal, which is a pleasure to work with. So far I'm on the 9th repeat of the Budding Lace 2 chart.

Wish me luck!

Just say NO to nupps...

2006-11-08T14:55:00.000-08:00

That is going to be my motto from now on. I started this shawl thinking that if I knit loosely enough, P5 tog wouldn't be a big deal. Was I ever wrong! I even bought new needles (Bryspun) because I new there wasn't a chance with the Addi Turbos I usually use. Fortunately, several people in the knitalong offered useful hints, and after trying several, I adopted the sl 2, P3 tog, pass slipped stitches over approach. I was really ready to throw in the towel (or the shawl, as the case may be).

I nearly considered frogging the whole thing before finding this workaround. Each nupp was a major effort and incredibly stressful. And knitting is supposed to be fun!

Thanks to all of you who offered alternative solutions. But I'd still like to know how anyone can do it the right way.

Can you describe how you do this stitch?

2006-11-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

Hi,

I just started my first swallowtail using Knitpicks Alpaca Cloud in lilac using #4 needles. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to do this stitch:

Sk2p, sl 1 knitwise, k2tog, psso

I get that you are supposed to decrease 2 stitches but I'm not sure about the first action: Sk2p.

Thanks for your help!!

Sue

Swallowtail #2 - increased size

2006-11-07T15:26:00.000-08:00

This is my second Swallowtail Shawl. I think this is a wonderful pattern that I will knit again but not right away. I did make some changes to the pattern to increase the size of the pattern. For the "Budding Lace 2" chart section, I knitted 19 repeats instead of 14 repeats. This worked out perfectly for me. Here are some details;

Yarn: Regia Silk in Burgundy (55% Merino, 20% Silk, 25% Polymid) 220 yards; 3 skeins and 1/4 of a fourth skein
Needles: Denise Interchangeable, US size 6
Finished size after blocking: 39" depth, 79" width

I have more pictures on my blog

2 down, ? to go

2006-11-05T17:09:00.000-08:00

Swallowtail #2 is blocked and ready to go. It's funny but I had the same problem on row 3 of the first Lily of the Valley chart as before. For some bizarre reason it takes me at least 3 tries to get it right and then it's smooth sailing.

Specs:
Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr in Ebony
Needles: 4 US Clover Bamboo Circular
Blocked to 49" width, 22" depth

finito!

2006-11-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

I finished my Swallowtail and I love it! Too bad it isn't for me (it's a Christmas gift).

I have really enjoyed reading all of your comments; and the advice has been especially helpful. I can't wait to see more of your shawls! This was a fun knit, mine didn't come out perfectly; but, it came out pretty well for my first lace project. There is more verbage about my experience knitting this shawl on my blog.

I will probably knit this shawl again at some point, I had a lot of fun knitting it, including the nupps!

Flickr Group

2006-11-01T17:10:00.000-08:00

If you have a flickr account do join in this group
http://flickr.com/groups/81018530@N00/

Started this, so that we can have a collective of all the Swallowtails.
FOs and WIPs both welcome!

Zephyr for Swallowtail?

2006-11-01T15:48:00.000-08:00

I am ready to start my Swallowtail and hoped to use the same Zephyr that I used for Scheherazade (Mystery Stole 2). But if I've done the arithmetic correctly, Zephyr is finer than the Misti Alpaca called for in the pattern. The Swallowtail is small-ish to begin with... If I use Zephyr, will it come out even smaller than the dimensions given in the pattern? If any of you have used Zephyr, what size needles did you use?

Newbie needs help, please

2006-10-30T13:52:00.000-08:00

I'm a first-time lace knitter and need advice as to yarn choice. I have a lone skein of Cherry Tree Hill Suri Alpaca Lace that almost exactly matches the yardage/weight of the yarn used in the original published pattern. It looks hopelessly thin and tiny though and, trying it on size 4 needles was a mess - perhaps I shouldn't have tried in on the city bus? Should it work if I just keep plugging away with it? How far into the pattern will I have to get before it becomes recognizable as anything garment-like? Should I try the CTH with a smaller needle? Should I just use some fingering weight (I've got sock yarn, boy howdy!) or maybe even heavier for my first lace project? And, just so I don't annoy you all too much - any recommendations for books for a lace newbie?

Second Swallowtail - Fire

2006-10-26T01:09:00.000-07:00

Apparently I'm not the only one who loves this shawl enough to do it more than once. *nods to Abby*

Presenting.. My 2nd Swallowtail Shawl, hot off the blocking wires.

Spread out.

Folded together with Rosy, my first Swallowtail.

The initial plan is to knit Swallowtail Shawls for my good friends. I'm having 2nd and 3rd thoughts about that. What do you suggest? Go on with the idea (and make a total of 6 swallowtail shawls), modify the idea (make 3 shawls and do something else for the other 3 ppl) or scrape the idea totally? Advice will be most appreciated! Thanks in advance. =)

Kessa

Working on my 2nd Swallowtail

2006-10-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

I really love this pattern, so I'm making a second Swallowtail Shawl. The yarn I'm using is Regia Silk sock yarn and size 6 needles. I want the shawl to be big and I'm knitting 19 repeats of the Bud Lace section instead of 14 repeats. I have complete 16 of these repeats so far. I'm planning on wearing this shawl to a wedding at the end of November :)

Abby

2006-10-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

A quick post to show the join on the Bryspun needle. The more that I'm using it with this slippery yarn, the better that I like it.

I'm amazed at how fast this shawl knits up. After the marathon of Icarus, it's great to see a repeat done in only six rows. Though, for some reason, I seem to daydream when I hit row three and make a mistake almost every time somewhere in the row.

Ready to 'Go for the Nupps'

2006-10-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

NUPPS UPDATE: I found a way (that works well for me) to do the nupps.
1. Purl with the regular needle until it's time to do the P5TOG
2. Pull the right (needle with the just made stitches) so that the stitches aren't near the point (so they don't fall off)
3. Using a small DPN (I used a US#1.5 INOX DPN - nice and pointy), insert it into the five stitches and purl
4. transfer the newly purled stitch onto the right needle
5. Continue stitching as usual

I can take some pictures and post if anyone is interested or needs the visual.

I just finished the Budding Lace 2 section and feel like I'm standing at the top of the highdive, butterflies fluttering all over the place... Thank you to Marsha for posting the Nupp Alternative!! I think I'll just dive right in and see how it goes.

I had already started this shawl when I found this KAL, but it's been great seeing all the finished shawls and particularly the wonderful 'purls' of information!

This is going to be a Christmas gift for my sister. I've had just a wonderful time knitting it (it's my first lace shawl) that I might make one for me, too!

I'm using Knitpicks Alpaca Cloud in Iris on Addi Naturas US#4, and I'm really disappointed with the join of the needle to the cable. I typically use turbos, but at the join, there's a definite little...notch is the only word I can think of...that the stitches keep getting caught in. I just bought these yesterday (I fought with the Budding Lace sections on metal circs which were too slippery), and I think I'm going to return them.

Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a better wooden circ to use that has a better join?