30 April, 2008

FO: Faux Spanish Lace Shawl

I just finished Mmario's Faux Spanish Lace Shawl. I learned of Mmario and his lace designs through Men Who Knit and this particular pattern which he created as a beginner's lace project. Mmario also has a Yahoo Group called MMarioKKnits where he offers patterns and discussion of his designs from the simple Faux Spanish Lace to a variety of sublimely intricate lace work. While knitting the Liesel scarf I was considering getting a t-shirt which read "not now" or "just let me finish this row", but Faux Spanish Lace can be memorized in no time and I could actually converse, watch a movie or even put it down and know what I was doing when I picked it back up.

I loved knitting this shawl so much that I am considering doing it again with a variation as well as using laceweight. I used worsted weight this time because I wanted it to be a sturdy, warm Winter shawl for my grandmother.

Here are the specs:

Project: Faux Spanish Lace Shawl

Pattern Source: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MMarioKKnits/

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool (Solids)

Yarn Color: Scarlet

Yardage Used: 419 Meters (458.2 Yards) Almost Three Skeins

Fiber Content: 100% Wool

Needles: 6.5mm Knit Picks Harmony Options (US10.5)

Finished Dimensions: 155cm (61") across the top X 91cm (36") down the center

Date Started: March 15th

Date Finished: April 15th (it doesn't really take a month but I was lazy and I don't count an object finished until ends are sewn in and it is blocked... in other words I procrastinated).

Care Instructions: Hand Wash Cool Water, Dry Flat, Do Not Wring

Notes: Mmario had posted to Men Who Knit that it had come to his attention that the chart for this pattern was printed incorrectly (the written instructions are however correct). I don't know if this has been fixed on the PDF file or not but it may be worthwhile to compare it to the written instructions if you are using the chart (using charts is something I avoid like the plague).

And finally the whole shebang. I didn't have a model and my shoulders are way too broad for a shawl so the lat bar of my home gym kindly obliged...

My Favorite NPR Spot: The Writer's Almanac