Friday, August 19, 2011

Fiber Arts Friday: The Traveling Woman is Finished!

I had thought about putting this in my WIP List Wrap Up, but I figured since she's caused me so much grief over the last 19 months, she deserved her very own I'm Finished post...

The end-weaving didn't take much time since there was only a little over 3 skeins used.  Which was awesome after the major weaving-in I did for the Recycled Wool Nightcap.

This was my first time blocking.  Can you believe it?  I've been a serious knitter for more than 3 years and have managed to not have to block anything... until now.  I figure it's just a matter of soaking, squeezing, stretching, pinning and then waiting for it to dry.  So I rummaged thru my sewing supplies for pins and the blocking began...


At first glance, it doesn't look too bad.  But closer inspection reveals three zig-zags on the left and...

left side

and only two zig-zags on the right along with a group of tear-drops in the middle.

right side

There's also a weird little pool of yarn to the right of the peak in the lowest section of lace.  So honestly, it isn't as bad as I expected.

It only took at day or so to dry.  So here she is, all finished.  :-)


The elation associated with taking the shawl out of the block is something I haven't experienced before.  Wow! No wonder people like blocking.


I love how it flows and drapes now.  So much prettier than when it was on the needles.

So overall, I guess I'm happy.  It definitely looks better than I expected, but I don't think I'll be rushing out to make any more lace for a while though.  ;-)

With that, my WIP List is essentially complete.  I say essentially because the Black Huacaya Batts of Wonder are still in progress and having no projects on the needles is not something I want to experience for very long.  ;-)

As you know, today is Fiber Arts Friday and there is always something interesting to see.  So please head over to Wisdom Begins in Wonder and check everyone else out.
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14 comments:

  1. Sarah {The Student Knitter}August 19, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    yay! What a pretty mahogany colour too. I like it!

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  2. AlittlebitsheepishAugust 19, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    It looks great, even with your comments I don't see the mistakes, so no one else is going to notice them, and if they do you can tell them to go find something better to do!
    Blocking lace is a special kind of magic, I swear there must be eleves or pixies or something involved

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  3. oak haven alpacasAugust 19, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    It's beautiful!!!!

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  4. AllyBAugust 19, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    If you hadn't pointed out all the flaws, I'd never have noticed them. Your shawl looks great. Travelling Woman is one of my favorite shawl patterns. Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

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  5. Its_LilyAugust 19, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    It's pretty and I think the color is just right. Congrats! I struggle with finishing projects because I just want them done and you know what? They only get done if I do the work. Why is it so hard to finish up those last little bits of a project?

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  6. PoochAugust 19, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Such a lovely color and perfect for Fall.Your work is so pretty.
    :)

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  7. AnonymousAugust 19, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    It's gorgeous! I haven't blocked anything yet either, but I just finished a blanket for my youngest, and I think I should probably block it. I guess I'd better learn how :).

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  8. Spinster BethAugust 19, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    I love the shawl! It looks very cozy and warm. And the color is like raspberry chocolate. I always love finishing up the blocking part ... it's astounding what a difference it makes!

    About Kool-Aid yarn dying; if you leave the wool/whatever in the dye-bath until the water is clear, it is basically color-fast. However, food dyes aren't meant to last forever, so repeated washings will fade the items.

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  9. Voie de VieAugust 19, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Now you see why I love that old blocking magic! It's just super, and your traveling woman benefited from it - it looks very nice.

    And I probably wouldn't have seen the mistakes if you hadn't pointed them out, but I do understand that you know they're there, so ... :)

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  10. VivianAugust 19, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    The shawl turned out so nicely! Like others said, the mistakes can be so glaring in our own eyes, because we know they are there. Especially when a shawl is wrapped around, no one would notice the mistakes.

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  11. fiberdanceAugust 19, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    what a gorgeous shawl-congrats on finishing.

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  12. WonderWhyGalAugust 20, 2011 at 4:49 AM

    It's gorgeous! Hooray for completing it and getting it blocked. I know it was frustrating for you but you accomplished an FO in lace. Pat yourself on the back and enjoy that shawl.

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  13. Kathryn RayAugust 20, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    There are many reasons that I enjoy FAF, but the support everyone throws in is the best. Thank you.

    Right now I'm feeling like I want to block everything. This might be the seed of a new addiction. ;-)

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  14. Melissa PlankAugust 20, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Your shawl looks lovely! (I'm so glad to see that you and your shall have made friends again! LOL) Congrats on finishing all your UFO's!!!

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