AuburnChick's Adventures

As you know, my knitting has suffered.

I’m not complaining…much…mind you.  I am extremely thankful to have a job after searching for so long.

A couple of months ago, my friend, Rabbitrescuer, mentioned that she would be casting on for her 1,000th project (I exaggerate by two).  She asked if I would be interested in joining her and our mutual friend, Rae.

After taking a look at the pattern, I jumped on board.

I had the perfect yarn…

I believe I purchased that lovely skein of Ella Rae Lace Merino, color #103, at a yarn store in South Florida during a soccer trip two Springs ago.

I was eager to begin, and so on July 14, I cast on the Traveling Woman Shawl.  You can find the free pattern here.  I used size 6 needles.

Let me tell you…getting to the end was not all that easy.

First, there was the issue of time, which I’ve already mentioned.

I did manage to grab a few free hours during the trip to take Chicky to college.  I got in a few more when I went to her game a couple of weeks ago.  Hence, I think the name, “Traveling Woman” is quite fitting.

Second, there was the issue of the yarn.

After completing four repeats of Chart A, I started to realize that I just might run out.

I was in angst over the situation, but I didn’t put in a lifeline (why would I ever do a smart thing like this) and pushed on.  I had, after all, done my research.  I had read about others who had discovered they could have eked out another pattern repeat, and I didn’t want to let my yarn go to waste.  This stuff is not cheap!

And so I knit…

And held my breath…

And knit some more…

Before the awful truth finally slapped me in the face…

With two rows and the bind off left, I had come to the end of the line…

This is every knitter’s fear.  In fact, I think I am not the only person who’s had nightmares about just such an event happening.

One thing I knew for sure.  I was not about to tink back 19 rows.

Not when you’re talking about lace knitting.

No way, no how.

I don’t think even the Yarn Harlot would do this.

She would figure something out.

And that’s what I did.

I went online and scoured Ravelry, hunting for others who had this yarn, in this colorway, and had knit with it.

I sent out several SOS emails begging for scraps.

Less than 24 hours later, I had several responses.  A couple of gals turned their houses upside down in search of their leftover yarn.  One knitter found her’s and offered to send it the next day.

If I could bestow blessings, I would totally shower this kind soul with at least a hundred or so.

And so the stalking began.

I felt a little sorry for the mailman.  He didn’t know what or who was lying in wait for him.

But he was sneaky.  When I was out running errands, my package “magically” arrived…

Looks like she sent me her gauge swatch plus a little extra.

Woo Hoo!

After unraveling the yarn and removing the beads, I discovered that I had 15 grams of yarn.

Would it be enough?

I held my breath as I resumed my knitting.

Lo and behold, I finished, with about five grams left.

Talk about cutting it close!

I eagerly blocked my shawl…

Today, I could hardly wait to get home from work.

It was time to have a photography session!

Rooster retired after taking only four pictures.

I wasn’t satisfied, so I set up the tripod and took a bunch more…

One thing I like about having a larger shawl is the versatility.  I actually watched the following video to get some ideas…

And so I played…and took a few more pictures…

I wanted you to get the full effect of just how pretty the pattern is…

Do I like my shawl?

You betcha!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: ella rae lace merino, Knitting, shawl, Traveling Woman Shawl |