Wednesday 27 July 2011

WIP Wednesday 51: Bobbing Along











Even though I haven't won anything on anyone's giveaways - there's been quite a few recently, so I thought (hoped) a little something might come my way - I've kept going. Pretty much exclusively on Tracy's Shawl - it's so rewarding to see the progress, and as the number of stitches keep reducing, of course it's getting quicker to knit; I only have the last chart, and half of the penultimate chart to go, and then it's complete.


So that means I've done nothing but glance occasionally at the Candleflame Shawl - I don't feel guilt, as I have a long time until the deadline even begins to loom (Spring 2012).



And I had a lucky find ... I pick up old patterns regularly, from the charity shops. The biggest challenge with them is substituting the yarn (always discontinued). Not so much the gauge/tension, but the yardage - I have an unreasoning terror of not having enough yarn to complete a project, and realizing only when I need that one final skein ...and then discovering that it is totally out of stock everywhere.

I also have a dreadful memory. So in a little notebook (thanks, Mooncalf) that goes everywhere with me, I have a list of 4 or 5 projects, the kind of yarn I need for them, and how much of it I might need. Just in case.

They get ticked off and replaced with new ones as I work my way through them. I found a pattern that used Wendy Monaco, and lo and behold, while searching for dog treats in QD, I found Robin Picasso Chunky, 100g/150m, which is also for 6 1/2mm needles (a rough guide is the recommended needle size being the same). The pattern says 12 st x 17 rows, the yarn says 14 st x 20 rows.


At this time of day (or any other, actually) it is impossible for me to make the gargantuan mental effort necessary to do the maths for this comparison/conversion. So I bought 5 - or was it 6 - balls, and we'll see how it goes. A swatch, sez you ? Nary a chance of it, sez I. Where would be the mystery and excitement of the unknown in that ? Of course, if anyone feels like educating me with the likely mathematical results, go right ahead.

And the last thing I want to talk about today is the difference a small amount of time makes. here is a trough in mid-May:


And here it is now, end-July:


I am trying to summon up enough fortitude to go out there with the secateurs and cut back all the petunias. I have read that, if fed, they will retaliate with a fresh flush of flowers that will go through til the end of summer ....

Pop on over to Tami's Amis for a round-up of lovely WIPs.

21 comments:

  1. I still love your candle flame shawl, and Tracy's shawl is looking (from what I can tell) beautiful - lovely colour :)

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  2. love the color of the candle flame shawl.. goes with the theme.. and, thank you for sharing the pics of your garden flowers.. its always refreshing to see flowers in full bloom..

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  3. You'll get done Tracy's shawl in no time! and I am going to steal your candle flame shawl.

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  4. Tracey's shawl is looking good, but oh that candle flame is gorgeous!

    (said in a whisper) next week is birthday week and I'll be having some giveaways..cough**cough

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  5. Your shawls are beautiful, and I can't believe how quickly you are going.

    Also when it comes to substituting I do it often without the use of maths and as a rule I always buy two more balls than what the pattern says. I normally land up with one left over, but that is safe than sorry.

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  6. Swatches are for wusses! ;)

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  7. beautiful colors and i love your flowers

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  8. That orange is awesome!

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  9. Love both colours!

    And the flowers - gorgeous and so fresh!

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  10. Gorgeous candle flame shawl! As for cutting back, I wait until the flowers look a bit faded and then deadhead; but I'm certainly no expert.

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  11. Wow, I'm not an orange person at all, but that candle flame shawl is beautiful. I love the color of Tracy's shawl, though!

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  12. Oh, that candleflame shawl is beautiful!

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  13. Candleflame is taking my breath away. It's GORGEOUS!

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  14. The candle flame shawl is gorgeous (as are the flowers)!!

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  15. OhMyBob, that Candle Flame shawl yarn colorway is stupendous!

    And, lo the secateurs. :)

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  16. The flowers stole the show and it has a valuable lesson. Time can make things better with enough care and attention. I am sure you'll get to finish both shawls in due time and that both will be blooming' pretty,

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  17. A knitting notebook is almost more useful than needles! I love using mine to plan future projects. And just to say your petunias are so gorgeous, it's winter here, so I can't wait till we can plant them again.

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  18. I love the colour of the candleflame shawl! I know what you mean about running out of yarn - I'm one skein short for a stole I'm making, so now I have to frog the start I've made and make it narrower. :(

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  19. The majority of my stash is left-over hanks that I buy because I fear running out of yarn. If a pattern calls for 800 yds. I'll by a thousand. *sigh*

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  20. I would happily glance at the candleflame shawl - truly gorgeous colour and I'm looking forward to seeing your Tracy shawl. Looks as if it has beautiful drape xx

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  21. Flowers and projects are all lovely, and YAY YOU for having a pattern named for you!

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Thanks ! I love comments :-)