FO: Rock Island Shawl

Well, it's about freaking time that I have some actual knits to show off. Being separated from my stash is a good thing, I guess, because I've finished 2 things in the last couple weeks. But first and foremost, my Rock Island Shawl!

I seriously never thought I would finish this sucker. Because you knit the edge first and then pick up and work in, the beginning takes forever. I think I almost lit this thing on fire at least 5 times. In the end, totally worth it and I'll probably make another one.
I used Little Red Bicycle's Spark Lace which is a 75% merino, 20% silk and 5% metallic blend. That's right, this sucker sparkles. It's actually barely noticeable, but every once in awhile I catch a glint of silver in the sunshine. I like it! It's definitely super wearable too. I can't wait to actually block this with pins and real tools when I get back to Canada! You can see my Rav project page here.

Now, I'm trying to figure out ways to keep from dying in the heat. Seriously, my entire life has been spent with summers that get maybe 1 or 2 days above 30 degrees and now I'm facing down a forecast of days in the 30's for the next month or two. Oh, and it turns out I'm extra allergic to Italian mosquitoes (zebra/tiger ones?) so I'm spending my evenings slathering myself in antihistamine cream and trying to stay cool in my non-air conditioned room.

Stay cool, friends!

4 comments:

  1. You may have reawakened the shawl bug in me. That's a beauty and the color is perfect!

    I feel your pain re: the heat. It sucks and I hate it. As someone who has lived through sticky and humid summers in Boston without AC for years, I can recommend the following: window fan + cold wet washcloth on the back of your neck while sitting near the fan. And the usual drink lots of water, eat popsicles, freeze your fruit, etc.

    Best of luck!

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    1. I'm on the hunt for a window fan right now! I'm in a really small town, and I've come up dry on my last couple attempts. I managed to fall asleep fairly quickly while hugging a frozen water bottle. Freezing fruit is actually brilliant and it didn't cross my mind. Frozen grapes, here I come!

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  2. It's lovely! I'm hunting for my first shawl pattern and will be adding this to the pool. Your yarn choice works so well with the lace, too.

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    1. The beginning of this shawl is a bit tricky and annoying, so if you do try it.. use lifelines. I've never used them before, but they saved my butt many times while working on the edging. Since it's patterned every row finding/fixing inevitable mistakes is a huge pain. The result is totally worth the frustration, though!

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