Projects
Sommerfeld Shawl: Casting On
I forgot how distracting it is to knit with this mohair and silk yarn. I keep stopping every few rows to hold it up to the light and swish it around. This Neighborhood Fiber Co. Loft could not be more different from ordinary yarn.
For one thing, you can get 76 stitches onto three inches of needle.
I would like to pretend that I just knit a half a shawl in two days, but all props go to Patricia Brower, who made our color samples that appear in Field Guide No. 4: Log Cabin. I was about to start a whole new one, just as destiny requires, but then I thought: HOLD ON. Patricia has already crossed the 50-yard line on her color sample—pitch me a lateral, honey, I’m going . . . all . . . the . . . way.
Starting my run at Block 4 rather than Block 1 meant that I didn’t get to experience the thrill of the feather and fan that happens at Block 3. Good news: more craziness ahead in Blocks 7 and 8.
But I did get to experience the trippy short rows of Block 4, using three shades of yarn, which result in a slanting color shift heretofore unprecedented in my knitting experience. In mohair/silk laceweight yarn. Ann Weaver, your pattern is glorious madness!
This is the Blue/Green colorway kit. The palest green, at center top, appears almost neutral against its vibrant neighbors.
A lot of you out there will be receiving your Sommerfeld Shawl yarn in the mail any day now. Let’s discuss this project properly in the Lounge—here’s a cozy corner for us to talk: “Sommerfeld Shawl.” I already have a number of solid-gold tips to share, not least of which:
The knitting on this thing goes really fast if you have somebody else knit the first half.
Thanks to everyone who has ordered a Field Guide and yarn. Warms our hearts to have such support for these cloudlike yarns in bright colors and knitting patterns that take us to wild new places.
Be Still My Heart…. mohair silk yarn in those colours!
Those colors are so lovely…like the ocean on a tender summer day.
This is so gorgeous!!! I absolutely love it! Those colors…remind me of Lake Superior on a bright sunny day!
I like the idea of this. The yarn is lovely. But I would really love to see a picture of the entire shawl stretched out or draped across shoulders or a bed. I feel like I’m only getting half the story. My visualization skills are not that great so this is a bit of a mystery KAL.
This shawl is just absolutely utterly gorgeous! And – a reminder of my greatest textile tragedy (ok, tragedy *may* be a little strong – but hear me out and then decide): I can’t wear (or knit with) mohair as it makes me incredibly itchy, and I LOVE THE LOOK OF IT SO MUCH. 🙁 🙁 🙁 Here’s hoping many will make this gorgeous shawl and post their lovely pictures, I still love to look at it!
I totally agree about the mohair. I think I want mine in handspun Cormo or, at minimum, Merino. I can stash bust – just need the pattern!
Wanda, we understand about the tragedy of mohair itchiness. It’s just a fact of life, like some people despising cilantro. We get it. The good news (and please keep this to yourself) is that we have another yarn for this project in the works, one that will make all your non-mohair dreams come true. Stay tuned–I think you will love it.
Oh, this is very exciting!! Seriously, you are making my day. Well, I’m slogging through a difficult workday, so granted – it doesn’t take much right now to make my day. But still – you can take total credit for doing so, if you provide me with a pretty alternative!! 🙂
Uh oh!
So Loft looks like Kidsilk Haze with the color genius of Karida Collins – oh yes please.
You nailed it Mary Lou!
So beautiful!
This is lovely , such pretty colours
That first tip is a keeper! I wonder if someone would be willing to knit the first half of socks, so I could START at the heel! LOL!
Glorious. I spent yesterday in La Jolla and those are the colors of the ocean at the cove mid-day. Breathtaking.
Ha! Great tip 😉 But I would prefer if someone could knit the /second/ half of my projects – casting on is my favorite part!