Just can't stop

Hi everyone, This is my first post here as I've just found your community and joined. I really love this book and wanted to share what I've been up to.

Last week I finished "A Fichu". I used Lacey Lamb and size 2 needles. The Harebell lace pattern is delightful. However, this pattern takes a lot of concentration to keep your place in the joins, as it joins at different rates to shape the collar. I probably won't ever make it again, but did enjoy it.

The fichu as worn:

The lace pattern close up:



As soon as I finished I couldn't help but cast on for my next project from the book! I've been drooling over the "Three Cornered Shawl with Clover Leaf Pattern" for ages. I did the cast on and first row as written. It was extremely painful to work the flimsy loops into decreases. From there, though, things get much easier and the edge is so delicate with that cast on!

The yarn is Artfiber Tsuki. It's a silk/mohair blend that's so soft and dreamy. It's also $16 for 40 grams, so a complete bargain compared to kidsilk haze. Here's a peek at it in progress. I've just finished the first repeat of chart C.



Carrie

A fichu, blocked

The fichu has been blocked. I did include a bit of starch in the blocking - adding about 1/4 cup to 6 quarts of the soaking water. I probably could have added more but I decided I'd rather err on the side of too little starch than too much. Some photos:

I think it turned out fine, but I'm not 100 percent happy with it. It seems to me as if the lace motifs look a bit 'squashed'; as if the lace would have been happier joined to fewer stitches along the neckband. (Or perhaps, knitted up at a different gauge - I didn't check gauge for this project.) Still, I'm reasonably happy with it, and I think my mom will be pleased.

Started... and completed... fichu

I kept meaning to post about this before I actually finished the harebell lace fichu, but I sometimes shun my computer for days at a time, so here I am with the fait accompli.

I guess it's not truly accompli yet, since I haven't blocked it. But here it is:

As with the curved shawl, I did have some struggles; the instructions aren't crystal clear as to joining the lace to the neckband. Also, when I transcribed the chart to print out and carry with me, I left out the last yarn-overs on rows 3, 9 and 15, so that led to a little head-scratching. But I did get through it, and I think it will look very nice once it's blocked. I'll be back with a photo once that takes place!

The yarn is Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk (color "Blueberry Heather"), which I really liked. It's got a nice sheen to it from the silk; it's easy to work with; the heathered colors are really nice; and it's pretty reasonably priced. Maybe a new favorite laceweight.

Also, I'm noticing a theme of matching the color of the project in the book. One of these days I'm going to have to break out of that.