Modified Sakura Shawl

Some time in July somebody wanted to knit my Sakura Cherry Blossom shawl, but she could not get further then the 34 rows I wrote out. She asked me rather rude for help, apologized later, so I sat down and cast on for the shawl to see how I could help her (it has been rather a long time since I worked on this myself). I wrote out another 30 rows after that, and was wishing for her to see how to proceed from there. I've never heard from her again. I think it's too easy now with the Internet pounding out an e-mail if there's a problem, instead of sitting down and trying to figure it out for oneself. I admit I've done it too, but learned from this experience to really only use this way of getting help if all else fails. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to help if I can.



At first I thought what a waste of my time. I had just grabbed some yarn in my stash, which I was not too fond of. I ripped it out again, but was thinking why not give it another try, but a little different.



I changed the edge increases so I could pick up stitches easier later on. Next after a few pillar stitch patterns followed by garter stitch rows, I increased the garter stitch rows from the initial 3 ridges by two ridges after each pillar segment. I lost patience and interest after I reached 11 ridges (I know short attention span). It was just a whim after all. What I really was after was the edging! I always wanted to knit a sideways edging, but so far never got to it. I liked this edge design from the moment I first saw it. It comes in different sizes. Mine I picked out of "A Gathering of Lace". It takes a while to knit, but I was so happy with every stitch I made.

The truth about this project whether it would be a success or not would reveal itself after blocking. And you really have to block this shawl, because of the pillar stitch pattern it leans heavily to the right. The border opened up nicely!



I'm especially proud of the tip, with some few extra short rows I got around it in a round way:



What the heck, I did a crochet bind off on the top edge too, just so.


The yarn was some sale yarn from elann. It's Australian merino wonderful soft, but made a little scratchy by the lame thread. I WAS thinking of spinning something like that some day, but not anymore. Anyway, sometimes I like shiny.



pattern: my own
yarn: King Australian Merino & Lame, 4.5 balls, each 50g/175yds, 91% sw merino 9% lame, color# 81
needle: 4mm
size after blocking: 34" x 56"
start-finish: July 14 - 22

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