April 22, 2009
Posted by peacefulknitter under
FOs,
Knitting,
Lace,
blocking,
finished objects,
scarves,
shawls/wraps | Tags:
Ishbel,
Lace,
madelinetosh,
one skein lace scarf,
shawl,
Ysolda Teague |
[19] Comments
Ishbel turned out to be one of those projects that was impossible to put down. Once I cast on last Sunday, I was a knitting fiend, putting in some time on a row or pattern repeat whenever possible. It must have been the perfect storm of yarn and pattern, because both were equally pleasing to work with. Ysolda writes a wicked clear pattern that was a joy to follow, and the Madelinetosh sock yarn kept me smiling throughout.
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Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda Teague
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Yarn: Madelinetosh sock yarn in Lettuce Leaf, approximately 300 yards
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Needles: US size 6/4mm Addi Turbo Lace
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When I finished binding off it seemed small. I knew that it would grow during blocking, but I wasn’t sure it would be big enough to wind around and wear like a scarf. The pre-blocking measurements were 13 x 35 inches (depth x wingspan). I soaked it for a few minutes, then pressed it in a towel and pinned it out on my yoga mat. The dimensions grew to 18.5 x 38.5 inches. It’s still a bit skimpy as a scarf, but I am really enjoying it as my new spring accessory!
If I were to knit this again (as I am feeling wont to do) I would probably knit the large stockinette pattern with the small lace section, or vice versa. First, I only used about 3/4 of the skein, and I loathe having that much yarn left over. Secondly, it is just a little bit shy of wrapping around so that the ends dangle without sliding off over my shoulder.
I love this scarf and would totally marry it if I weren’t already spoken for!
This was my first lace shawl, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. In the past when I saw lace charts I would instantly feel intimidated. But there was just something about this pattern that spoke to me and said: “Don’t be afraid. You can do this!”. Maybe it was that the pattern called for sock yarn and started out in stockinette. Or that I knew what all the symbols meant and simply needed to pay a little bit of attention every other row. Most likely I’m just a more experienced and less fearful knitter than I once was, especially when it comes to lace. Now I’m looking at some of my sock yarn with a certain lace lust that wasn’t there before…
Now that it’s off the needles I can admit this out loud without ramifications: when it came to the lace section, I didn’t count stitches or use life lines!!! ‘Cause I like to live on the edge like that.
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April 22, 2009 at 9:09 am
Very b-e-a-utimous! It looks like wings “I believe I can fly!”
April 22, 2009 at 9:16 am
Beautiful! I also love the idea of blocking knits on a yoga mat. I’ll have to try that.
April 22, 2009 at 9:32 am
That is positively beautiful! I love the colors. I say this over and over – you have the most even stitches I’ve ever seen. I want to watch you knit sometime!
April 22, 2009 at 9:53 am
amazing!! =)
April 22, 2009 at 11:59 am
It’s beautiful! And now it’s all your fault. I just purchased the pattern. Knit, knit, knit!
April 22, 2009 at 3:29 pm
So pretty!
April 22, 2009 at 5:35 pm
It’s a beauty!
April 22, 2009 at 9:00 pm
On your recommendation, I may just give this a try with some yarn I am nearly done spinning! My three ply came out a bit heavy for socks, so it should make up nicely as a scarf/shawl. Stay tuned.
April 22, 2009 at 9:13 pm
“I love this scarf and would totally marry it if I weren’t already spoken for!”
Funniest thing I have read today!! It looks fabulous, well done. Very impressed
April 22, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Oh that turned out just gorgeous!
You can count on other knitters to understand how you feel – I saw a vest pattern in a catalog last year and declared that I wanted to “marry it and have it’s little cable babies”!
April 22, 2009 at 10:30 pm
By golly….that could have been me a little while back….I feel exactly the same about my Ishbel! It gave me the courage to attempt things I never thought possible…hence last night I BO on a Gail (aka Nightsongs) the notoriously ‘difficult’ pattern – but I had no issues with it….thanks to the confidence I got from Ysolda’s Ishbel
LOVE LOVE LOVE your green yarn too
April 23, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I think I’ll knit it too! I have Ysolda’s booklet and you have me motivated. That beautiful green color is my fave too.
April 23, 2009 at 9:07 pm
oh you sound so pleased, sizing issues notwithstanding. It’s so lovely to see you!
I did my first lace with sock yarn (Forest Canopy shawl) and I couldn’t agree more with what it’s like to step into it feeling somehow like yep, it’s something I can do. You have described my experience exactly!
And I agree so much with the 3/4 of a skein left over. It’s not helpful is it?
April 24, 2009 at 8:18 pm
And…. now I’ve bought the pattern.
At least my madelinetosh is a different color, so no one will know I’m copying you!
April 25, 2009 at 2:01 am
It’s gorgeous…I may have to raid my sock yarn shelf soon!
April 27, 2009 at 10:16 am
Your blog came in SUPER handy at CT sheep and wool. I am hoping to make this same pattern out of one of my finds (check out my blog, it is from a shop in Colchester that becca and I are going to be stalking a LOT their stuff is SOOOOO nice, and the owners are very cool)
July 31, 2009 at 9:34 am
[...] knitting again. To do this, I turned to an old friend, Ishbel. Though I had made the pattern before, it turned out a little small and I wanted to try again in a bigger [...]
September 18, 2009 at 3:01 pm
[...] before heading off on vacation, thinking it would be a quick knit. After all, I had knit this once before relatively quickly! This version has been on the needles about 2 months, and the weather is getting [...]
November 20, 2009 at 6:17 pm
[...] I knit the stripes until this was approximately the size of my small Ishbel shawl. Then I switched to the teal color and made increases to form a ruffle as described [...]