i've got a fever...

and the only prescription is more 198 yards shawls!  I made one out of cascade eco wool on size 11 needles for David's mom (it took more than 198 yds and is considerably larger than my first one, but who's counting?), and I'm almost through another one in 220 for my mom...only three rows left.  I already have yarn for at least two more lined up...what is wrong with me?  and what is so mesmerizing about this pattern?  I don't know...but I do know that I'm loving it...and David is strangely loving helping me block (I'm not complaining!).

Speaking of blocking, I know I promised pictures, and I know there have been none...I accidentally left the shawl at my dad's house last weekend, but I'll be there again tomorrow, so I promise beyond promise that there will be pictures then!  And maybe if you guys are really lucky there will be finished pictures of the eco wool version and blocking pictures of the new 220 one.

Also, I have made one fiber trends felted clog...the other to be forthcoming when I'm over whatever this sickness is that makes me want to knit nothing but one skein shawls ;)

Weaving!

I've always been fascinated by weaving, and backstrap looms seemed
like an approachable way to try it out. I finally got around to
making one, and while both my setup and skill leave a lot to be
desired, I'm finally weaving!

24 hours in heaven and blocking...

The knitters' brewing group over on ravelry is gearing up for a shawl KAL...having finished my wedding shawl, I found myself itching for a bit of triangle to work on and no wip in sight...this was quickly rectified with the lovely 198 Yards of Heaven (rav link) and a skein of Cascade 200 heathers.

Less than 24 hours later, here is the result:

I know...it's tiny and can barely be called a shawlette, much less a shawl...let me assure you that it looks equally silly worn as a neckerchief, and even if it didn't the ends aren't long enough to tuck in so it stays wrapped properly.

I present you with the magic of blocking!  There has been some chatter on the boards about blocking and its relative painfulness/difficulty.  It does take a couple minutes and delays the instant gratification of casting off and calling something finished, but look at the results!

Before:

After!!!

Much better, no?  For the record, that's David's hand in both those pictures...I'm not that hairy ;)

It's not a huge shawl, and we could have blocked it a little more aggressively, but for a one-skein, one-day project, I'm just thrilled!  I'm thinking of making a whole mess of them as Christmas gifts since they go so fast, the pattern is really easy...

Update tomorrow or the next day on what it looks like once it's unpinned and worn in a non-ridiculous fashion.