Project 14 Lives

Had second thoughts after letting the shawl sit for a night while I sulked. I’ve got the thing back on the needles more or less (may need to carefully rip out one more round). I got a copy of several rows of the Victorian Lace Today Cap Shawl chart from a kind fellow Raveler, and it does appear to be the same pattern so I think I can figure out where the error is and proceed. Fingers crossed!

Project 15: Gent's Balaclava Cap

I need something simple/mindless after the mess the shawl has become (currently the 600+ stitches are half on/half off the needles as I ripped out 2 rounds and am trying to decide if I want to salvage the project or not...)  This fits the bill nicely.  And I love the mustache on the gent.

This is from Weldon's Practical Knitter Second Series (1886) and republished in Weldon's Practical Needlework, Volume 1.

"This is a most comfortable cap for gentlemen travelling or for shooting excursions, and is quickly and easily made."

The original pattern calls for "1 1/2 ozs. of navy blue, 1/2 oz. of red, single Berlin wool.  Two bone knitting needles No. 10."





I'll be using US #3 needles (maybe 2's) and fingering weight yarn.  I found navy blue and red fingering/sock yarn in the stash, I think it's Cherry Tree Hill Super Sock.  Off to start ribbing.

Project 14: 9 Point Star Shawl Bites The Dust

Gah.  I was going along swimmingly.  Until I reached Round 122, when the *%^& hit the fan.  The Weldon's instructions evidently have an error.  One I can't seem to rectify, since I don't really know what the lace pattern is supposed to look like.  And I can't fudge the pattern apparently, as the next lace pattern round is now messed up too.

So disappointed, but I don't think I can salvage this one.  Without knowing what the lace looks like, I just can't seem to correct the problem and continue.

So this project is reluctantly going to be ripped out and I'll start with something new tomorrow.

But since this shawl was already charted and published in Victorian Lace Today (at least I assume it's the same shawl, though it sounds like Jane Sowerby may have used a different border on her "Cap Shawl), I guess I'm okay with abandoning this one.  No point in reinventing the wheel.  I'm nowhere near the accomplished lace designer that Sowerby is, so I assume she figured out the error and corrected it in her pattern.

Project 14: 9-Point Star Shawl Update

Plugging away at the shawl.  I'm a bit disappointed to learn that this shawl may be basically the same as "The Cap Shawl" in Victorian Lace Today.  It's described as “This shawl began as a pattern for the crown of a baby’s cap by Mrs. Gaugain (1840), was extended to a shawl by Weldon’s (1886) and is now reproduced with a similar (not identical) border by Mrs Hope (1847).”

I'm hoping that the border at least is different.  I'll finish it and chart the pattern, but I was trying to choose patterns that weren't already rewritten by someone else.  Wah.

Project 14: Round Shawl Progress

I'm nearly done with the first section of the "shawl for lady-workers" and it's looking really good.  I love the "swirly" 9-pointed star that is forming.  It's fun to do a project that I have NO idea how it's going to turn out.

Project 13: Doll's Petticoat in Striped Pattern Available

Dolly's Petticoat pattern is available here, with the instructions corrected so that the scalloped edging will be "right side out".  This should fit an American Girl Doll.

Charting Software

I've used a number of software programs to create knitting charts over the years.  And I think I've found my dream program:

Stitchmastery Knitting Chart Editor

While NO charting program is ever going to do every single thing I'd like, this one comes darn close.  And the customer service is amazing.  Cathy personally responds to every question/problem in a heartbeat, and offers solutions to every question I've had.  And this gal lives in Scotland (I think), which leads me to believe she never sleeps.

The program creates elegant charts, plus written instructions.  You can use symbols or colors to make a chart, and the results are wonderful.  I used Stitchmastery to create lace charts for my upcoming article in Piecework magazine, and the editor loved them.  The plaid stockings were also charted using Stitchmastery.

Like all charting software, there's a learning curve.  But the user's manual provides clear instructions, and there's a helpful group on Ravelry, too.  It's not the least expensive program around, but I think it's worth every penny.