Europa Crescent

Indeed, it doesn't look like much until...

The blocking!  No fibers were touched by an iron.  Just wet blocked with pins at the points.  The inner edge held its own without the help of pinning.  A perfect crescent.

I love the color, the crescent shape (it hugs my shoulders), and it's soft.

The nupps are a disappointment, but I've forgotten the angst they created a few weeks ago... and I forgive them.  They are what they are.  

The pattern: Europa  by Kieran Foley  from knit/lab

The yarn: Angel lace by QuilteHuset Lace / 2 ply 70% Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere, 1312 yards / 100 grams  (Used 49 grams, like spiderweb silk!)

I must be CRAZY!

Startitis all over again!

And this time, I must be crazy.  I haven't punished myself enough with loooong, time consuming projects.  Too many done-in-a-flash baby clothes, or socks.  Even socks take awhile considering the small size of the needles.  

And then I decided on a shawl:  The Europa Crescent Shawl.

I've been locked into and/or mesmerized by the Shawlette with its crescent shape.  I really enjoy the way it fits the shoulders, and it wants to stay on me.  Triangular shawls make me pull and re-wrap myself.  No manner of pinning keeps it in place.

I'm hoping the Europa will act similarly.  One major difference is the needle size and the uniform lace pattern.  The Shawlette begins with 3 stitches (neckline), and Europa begins with 643 stitches at the bottom edge.

Lots of stitches, and .... teeeny tiny too!

What do you say?  Christmas?  2011 maybe?  Or will this be a multi-year work?  I'm lovin' what I'm seein'...

The yarn:  Cat Mountain Fiber Arts

Hand Dyed Merino Laceweight, 880 yds/100 grams

Bought it at Pagosa Springs Fiber Festival, Colorado

Shawls

Who has too many hand-knit shawls?  You can ask Mary, Eileen, Kay, Denise, Bonnie and Lynn from my knit group.  They will all answer: YOU DO!  We were talking shawls, and I was trying my best to explain why I like the shawlette pattern by Judy Pascale. Since we were sitting in my living room, I went to my closet and pulled out an example... or two or...dang, but there were 4 without even looking in my cupboard of sweaters. I guess I DO like that pattern. It fits: You put it around you and it doesn't fight gravity to slip off.  
It might seem a little complicated but it's worth it!  And it's only a 4 row repeat... Warning: It is necessary to count your stitches on each side of the mid-point. (I do since I don't focus well when I'm getting distracted multi-tasking.)