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.

14 comments:

Sarah {The Student Knitter} said...

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

Alittlebitsheepish said...

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

oak haven alpacas said...

It's beautiful!!!!

AllyB said...

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!

Its_Lily said...

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?

Pooch said...

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

Unknown said...

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 :).

Spinster Beth said...

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.

Voie de Vie said...

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 ... :)

Vivian said...

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.

fiberdance said...

what a gorgeous shawl-congrats on finishing.

WonderWhyGal said...

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.

Kathryn Ray said...

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. ;-)

Melissa Plank said...

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!!!