WInging It

I am still knitting away on the mystery shawl, and last week's clue revealed the theme, Swan Lake. In addition, last week's clue (of which I am about 60 + rows from) provided for a "wing" to extend from the shawl. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm . . .

May I tell you that I love symmetry? May I also tell you that I am not opposed to assymetrical designs in some things (not jewelry, but sometimes sweaters). Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Not sure about a wing on the shawl. Not sure at all.

My shawl looks so lovely, even though I am far behind the wonder-knitters, who seem to be able to knit a clue in a day. And I loved knitting and wondering about the theme (I guessed Phantom of the Opera). But now that the jig-is-up, and I know the theme, I am now left to obsess over how-in-the-world-is-this-wing-going-to-look?

I am thinking that I will just trudge forward, knit the wing, and hope that I am a wing kind of girl.

I took a break and . . .

. . . what a difference a week (o-kay, perhaps more than a week!) makes! I haven't picked up the mystery shawl since clue #4 was released. I was feeling a bit obsessive over it, and found myself re-knitting a few rows, and generally becoming miserable. I put it down, knit a few other things, and finally picked it back up last night. I knit from row 171 right through the end of clue #3, and I am ready for clue #4 (all 100 rows of it). Now this is just in time for the release of tomorrow's clue! I am a bit behind! But I made some sock progress, as well as some clementine progress.

You are not the boss of ME!

After knitting row 133 for 1,000 times, I was pretty sure the yarn and/or the pattern WAS the boss of me, to the point where I ripped back to row 125 and reknit. But somehow, on Sunday (yes it took until Sunday), I fell back into the "rhythm" of this pattern and finished clue #2 and am 14 rows into clue #3. Whew!
I'll admit, it was touch and go there for a bit, and when I look at it closely I see some "indiscretions" but nothing that would warrant any more tinking,frogging,ripping or worrying.
And the photo above is just it draped on a chair, so I am thinking it will be much prettier blocked!

Row 133--it IS a mystery . . .

I started Clue #2 with such confidence, and a clear plan. It seemed thaat if I knit 10 rows at a time, I was on a roll---that meant 10 rows last Friday (check!), 10 rows last Saturday (check!!) and 10 rows last Sunday (check!!!). Then came Monday--and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: I couldn't get past row 133. Seriously, I knit row 133 all week, long. On Thursday I ripped (literally back to row 129, and knitted to row 133, stopped . . . . and . . . haven't picked it up since. Today's the day, I am going to get beyond 133. At one point in this whole ordeal, I thought about starting completely over (a moment of insanity, I admit!!) but I got my wits about me, and decided there were better solutions to it all. Let's see . . .

Photo tomorrow . . . after, I get past row 133!

I love a good Mystery

I downloaded clue #1 first thing Friday morning, and looked over it, but couldn't start until much later in the day (while I would love to sit all day and knit, there are other things going on in my life). The pattern is fabulous/beautifully charted. I was ready with my yarn, needles, and beads, but needed to make a quick run to AC Moore for a crochet needle. I breezed right through the first 50 rows, only having to redo 2 rows (at row 41, my husband came home from work . . . and that's where the breakdown occurred!)--now for the 2nd 50 rows.

While Melanie used zephyr with a size 4, I dropped down to a size 3. I like the firmer look of the stitches on the smaller size. And I wasn't sure about the beading---but now that I see it, I wish there were even MORE beads!!!! It looks terrific. And I am loving the "add the bead with a crochet hook" technique . . . so tricky!

It's a Mystery

After lots of contemplation (should I, shouldn't I, can I can't I . . . ), I decided who doesn't need a bity of mystery in their life? And mystery I will have, beginning with the 1st clue on Friday. . .

Everybody's talking about it, so I know I don't need to explain. I am hoping this will be a fun, lace knitting diversion. I called Rosie's (I talked to them on Monday around 5 pm, and the yarn was in my mailbox today!!!) and ordered 1400 yards of Zephyr silk-wool in ebony, located my size 4 needles, and I am almost set. I just need to find some beeds and an accompanying crochet needle (that's tomorrow's project!) and I'll be set for Friday's cast-on. I am a little worried I won't be able to keep up, but let's just see how the first week goes (I figure I have all of 4th of July to knit, even though I might not see too much knitting time over the weekend!).