So Jen and I went dress shopping today (and why didn’t anyone tell me how gross I’ve become! Seriously – you’d think I was bathing suit shopping or something!) but first we stopped in at an LYS I haven’t been to in a while, The Stitching Bee. Jen had never been there and I was on the look out for a ball of Cathay – just to play with it. Lo and behold, on the table is a Leaf Lace Shawl, which is almost identical to The Flower Basket Shawl!
I tried it on and was able to gauge what size I’d need. I bought the pattern. Most importantly, another customer came in and the woman working at the store was all set up to teach her how to cast on the shawl! So I got to watch the provisional cast on and set up rows up close and personal. I was so happy – because seriously, I don’t think I would’ve gotten it by reading it alone.
Then I get home and the Zephyr is waiting for me! I (almost) immediately try the cast on. Bad. I think the yarn is way too thin for me – I want this shawl to be thick – the one in the store was made from Euroflax Linen. I think it wasn’t soft enough for me – but I loved how it was thick. Do you know what I mean?
I’ve searched through the Summer of Lace database and I just can’t decide. Help me decide. Suggest yarns for me to use. I might try some Koigu I have around the house, but the Euroflax was really nice. They say it softens up – anybody knit with it? I’m dying here people. I want to start this ASAP. All suggestions welcome!
Thank you.
Oh and thank you for all your good wishes. I’m usually pretty okay, but circumstances arise as always. It’ll be a long, long time, unfortunately, until everything is healed.
The euroflax linen definitely softens up. I’ve been wanting to knit with it to see, because, really, it’s hard to believe. I saw some sample garments knit up at a yarn show a while ago and felt some in a trunk show and really, it does soften. The Euroflax people say that the key is to wash it AND dry it. If you don’t put it in the dryer it won’t soften up. That said, Koigu would be great too! Or maybe some Jaeger Matchmaker 4-ply, or calmer, ah calmer. Okay, enough out of me!
I’m no help as far as the yarn goes, but wonder if you have any words of wisdom for casting on a shawl? (I tried, very unsuccessfully, to cast on for Kiri tonight – but I think I’m reading the directions wrong. I’m knitting it in cascade 220 because they had the color I wanted, and I’m aiming for a heavier shawl with more drape then an airy shawl can offer.)
I, too, and glad you’re feeling a bit better about how things are. (and I’m with you on the dress shopping – trying on clothes last weekend was the last, final kicker for me to really get back in shape.)
I knit a feather and fan shawl out of Euroflax linen and it softened up the first time I washed it. I know some people have put the skeins in water and let them air dry before knitting, but I haven’t tried it. You could try running the skein back and forth over the edge of a table to loosen it up. I haven’t put my shawl in the dryer, but I’m going to and keep my fingers crossed that it’ll shrink some, because the stuff stretches like taffy. Part of that could be because I dried it hanging on a hanger (ya think???) I love it, though. I wouldn’t go up as many needle sizes as you would with wool for the lacy effect, just because of the stretch factor. The colors don’t bleed, but they will get a little muted – the ‘edge’ comes off.
I LOVE the Euroflax Linen – it get sooo soft, especially if you put it in the dryer. I made a simple shawl out of it last year, wore it almost every morning until my sister stole it! It felt like a baby blanket. It’s a little hard to knit with – feels like knitting with kitchen string – but well worth it!
how about: Cathay or Rowan Wool/Cotton or Classic Elite’s Premiere (softest ever!)
What about organic cotton – they have that pachuko on elann right now, or Fibertrends has an organic cotton lace shawl kit – falling leaves. But the organic cotton (will shrink, so plan for it) can be gently machine washed and dried, and the colors get deeper with time, and it will be thick and soft to cozy up in.
Or go with a linen yarn becasue that will only get drapier with use.
Hey . . . if you were at the Stitching Bee, then that means you’re not all that far from me! I’m a Morris County girl–went to Drew, too!
Cara, thanks for the introduction to the Stitching Bee. Great place, we’ll have to go back. Pure serendipity getting to watch the cast on and set up rows, no? Oh, and you don’t look horrible. My dear, you have boobs to die for and fantastic legs. Heartbreaker, I tell you! It’s just the crappy halter selection problem that’s the temporary snag in the dress search.
Sorry, I have no suggestions for the yarn. You are welcome to have some of my cotton fleece to play with to see if you like it, though!
If there’s anything I can do to help you get through whatever it is you’re going thorugh 🙁 Let me know, okay?