Saturday, November 10, 2007

My first test knit

My dear friend Laura designed her first lace shawl project, and she honored my request to test knit it for her (along with some other very talented knitters). I'd like to present you with my attempt at her pattern, the South Seas Stole:

click photo to enlarge

Pattern: South Seas Stole by Laura (to be released soon)
Source: Fiber Dreams and Ravelry
Yarn: Laceweight Mystery Yarn -- nylon blend?
Beads: 8/0 Marble Marine Green T1207
Needles: Knit Picks Options Harmony size 5 US

This is the very first time I've ever test knit for someone and hopefully I'll be able to do it again in the future because it was so fun! There were a few bugs here and there, but those have all been worked out and the final pattern is amazing. Actually, the entire design is amazing. I would go on & on about all the details, but I'll save that for Laura to do when she releases the pattern in a few days.


I loved adding the beads to the stole and I even made a mistake and added extra beads in a section that I wasn't supposed to. It's alright though because you'd never know unless I told you. The needles, oh those needles! I can most definitely recommend the new Knit Picks Harmony needles for lace knitting. In the past I've used the new Addi Turbo Lace needles, but these Harmony needles score a perfect 10 in my opinion.

I had a heck of a time getting the colors to show correctly since I'm obviously in desperate need of a photography class, but it's a beautiful blue/green colorway that has very subtle variegations throughout the yarn. Although I'm not sure what the yarn is, I will say that it wasn't very cooperative when it came to stretching for blocking or the points that should be prominent on the edges of the shawl. Regardless, it did come out very nice and I'm hoping DH has a dress-up Christmas party this year so I can wear it.

Look at this beautiful skein of yarn I received from Tiennie. Of course, how can anyone ever not want Socks That Rock? She held a blog contest (as she frequently does) and all I had to do was leave a comment (which I love to do) and she randomly drew a name. The colorway is Rose Quartz and I'm already dreaming of what pattern will be worthy. Thank you so much Tiennie!

18 comments:

Carole Knits said...

Gorgeous shawl!

flutter said...

It is really beautiful

Micki said...

Wow, that stole is really lovely! Well done.

Lara said...

The stole is gorgeous! I will have to be on the look out for the pattern. You did a lovely job! Do you get to keep it??

Sarah said...

Beautiful! I am so jealous that you get to knit such a gorgeous pattern before the rest of us!

Tammy said...

Oooh.. that lace is stunning! I so want to knit a lovely lace wrap sometime. I think the size scares me off, but they can look so amazing!

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Absolutely stupendous!

Anonymous said...

That is a gorgeous stole!! (and if the color is even close to what I see on my monitor...it is heavenly!)

jillian said...

What a stunner! Way to go!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That's absolutely gorgeous! I'll be on the lookout for that pattern.

Unknown said...

The pattern is *finally* available here: South Seas Stole.

Thank you for your awesome test knitting, Kristie!

abby said...

The shawl is really lovely. And the yarn shows it off to its best advantage! And congrats on the STR... I still need to use those two skeins in my stash, but can't decide the best pattern for it!

Karen said...

Wow, what a beautiful shawl!!! Isn't it fun to test knit? I alway enjoy the experience. Congrats on winning the STR too. It's such a pretty colorway.

I have to admit, my clothes have been getting tighter and tighter too - and as you can imagine, a cruise last week didn't help. I hope you find NutriSystem helpful - and do keep us posted. Good for you - you can do it!!!

kathy b said...

Winning STR yarn. WAHOO. Moons are in your planets or something, maybe buy a lottery ticket too. Love the coloway.

Anonymous said...

How pretty your test knit is! I was happy to send you yarn! I hope you enjoy it!

Hasbu said...

That is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! This stole is amazingly beautiful!!! What a very unique pattern, it's so fragile and delicate looking - and I totally adore the colorway you've been using for it! This is a fantastic pattern, I will *so* have to try it out too once it's published - is it already?
Congrats on the STR!

slyn said...

It's so beautiful! Great job!!

Wonder if this means you are on another winning streak.