kitty: FO for the week... Razor Back Turtle Shawl

Name: Razor Back Turtle Shawl Designer: Priscilla Meredith Fibers: limited edition merino/bamboo by Madelintosh Needles: 3mm
Razor Back Turtle Shawl was started around the time of the BP oil spill in the gulf. I was really moved by the photos and tragedy that we were seeing on the news each night. Hate to say it, I don't think we will know the impact of the spill for many years to come. I don't believe a word they are saying about the clean up and I certainly don't believe the seafood is safe to eat. But that rant is for another day. The yarn I chose reminds me of the colour of the ocean. The subtle blue variations of the yarn really evoke water to me. When I started working on the design I had the design goal of trying to solve a shawl problem a lot of Rubenesque girls face. If it is long enough to wrap in the front, it is going to be far to long in the back. And if it is the right length in the back, it is far to short to fold in the front. So I constructed a shawl that would expand faster than it would lengthen the point. The resulting edge ended up reminding me of a razor back turtle that we all saw on the news covered in oil. So the shawl is dedicated to all the animals who tragically have lost there lives in the gulf due to incompetence of man.

kitty: what's on the needles

It isn't done yet, I still need to add the border to the edge, but I just had to share the photos of my progress on my Victorian version of a hap shawl and what is on the needles this month. (Since I am using my own hand spun I knew I didn't have enough yarn for a full hap shawl) During the Victorian age there was a half version of the hap shawl designed mainly for the tourism market since it would save yarn. Here is the version that I have designed based loosely on Sharon Miller's book and other references that I found on hap shawls. The thing that really impresses me the most about hap shawls is how easy the math in the calculations were in creating the shawl. I couldn't be happier with the end product. And I keep looking at the yarn and saying you know... I spun that.
	Shetland Hap Shawl by Sharon Miller Hap shawls are all about everyday warm shawls. Since they weren't considered special, few of them have survived through out history, even though more of these plain shawls were sold than the fancy lace shawls. The book is mostly an exploration of the history of the hap shawl. And like the hap shawl itself there are not a lot of formal patterns within the book. Sharon Miller clearly defines the mathematical equation to create a hap shawl and she shows you the historical colour combination for the stripes.
from a previous post that I wrote --- kitty:my thoughts on square shawl construction "Border Inwards" Traditional Hap Shawl 19th century This shawl is knit in two pieces. The center is knit as a diamond in garter stitch. The big difference is the outer length of each of the outer borders are cast on and worked to the center. Then the center edges are grafted together traditionally using the Herringbone Stitch or Mattress stitch. Miller, Sharon 2006. "Heirloom Knitting's Shetland Hap Shawls" "Border Inwards" Modern Hap Shawl 1880's This shawl is knit in one piece if knitted in the round. The center is knit as a diamond in garter stitch. Then the outer stitches on all sides are picked up and knit outwards. (Note: If you do not work this shawl in the round you would do the method described above under Traditional Shetland Shawl.) Miller, Sharon 2006. "Heirloom Knitting's Shetland Hap Shawls"
Other Patterns: Ysolda - Hap Blanket | Hazel Carter The Hap Shawl |

kitty: in search for the perfect size triangular winter shawl

The Specs: Pattern: My own Yarn: 3 hanks banana silk from Pure Knits Needles: Size US 13 Modifications: I would keep more detailed increase records so I didn't have to rip out the other side so many times to get it even. Time: 6 hours approximately
I have been thinking a lot about what makes the perfect lace shawl for me. Size - I think most shawl wearers prefer a shawl that is at least long enough to cover their "wingspan," the distance from one hand to the other across the top of the back. The problem arises though for the rubenesque knitter that to knit a shawl that is wide enough to cover there wingspan the length from top selvage edge to the point becomes ridiculously long. A similar problem with raglan sleeves, I may have a 50-inch bust but my arms are not 18 inches from my shoulder to the middle of the underarm. Shaping the triangle shawl - From what I could figure out there were several approaches for making a triangular shawl:
After much consideration, 3 above seem to be the best comprise approach for someone with a larger wingspan. You can easily increase the long edge just by lengthening the cast on and bind off area thus not having the bottom point extend past a normal shawl length in the back. So the best of both worlds enough to cover the wingspan and not destroy the shawl by setting on it. And on a side note with longer sides, if you are thinner you can do a lot of fun wrapping techniques with this design that are not usually possible with a symetrical shawl. Now the only problem is finding intricate fun lace patterns that are designed in this style.
And not to forget some awesome Food Porn - Hot Spring Italian Sausage Miso - & - Amazing Seaweed paste/miso paste Cat fish that had been soaked in Italian Mineral water with Bamboo, and lotus root grilled on a sheet of seaweed, Awesome Tofu with white seasame sauces and La Zu, Seaweed Salad, and rice. Yum I tell you and I have actually lost a lot of weight with my healthy new food diet. HAPPY DAY! HAPPY DAY!