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...
5 comments:
That is really lovely, such a good arm colour too. I am sure your grandmother will love it :)
I meant warm colour...one of these days I will preview my comments!
Thank you, this was my warm up to one of Mmario's more challenging designs. It's funny, I read "arm colour" as "warm colour" we must have been on the same wavelength.
Gosh that's so gorgeous! Aren't MMario's patterns amazing??? I'd love to be able to design such beautiful lace someday, but in the meantime I guess the best way to learn is to keep doing :-)
Queen Anne's Lace is really calling to me, but I need a 'mindless' project for the Euro Cup so I may go with Faux Spanish Lace. My current OTN project is too complex for watching football!
Spanish Armada is my favorite thus far but Queen Anne's Lace is gorgeous too. Quite a few of the guys over at Men Who Knit have done Queen Anne's Lace.
Faux Spanish Lace would be perfect spectator knitting, just make sure you look down once in awhile so you don't wind up with a triangular bedspread.
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