My FO: Kiri Shawl

[esmerel]

I finished mine in plenty of time, startlingly. The biggest challenge with Kiri is the yarn, really. You just can't easily rip Kidsilk Haze. After a false start, I came to a successful conclusion, and rewarded myself with time with my neglected spinning wheel. After completing Peacock Feathers, it was -so- easy to read the lace and the mistakes I'd

Comments

[lunassa]

Beautiful! Blocking is magic, no? My KO shawl was the first time I'd really blocked anything and I was awed. I like how yours looks like cobwebs, and in black it's very striking. How many balls of KSH did you use?

My parents got me similar shop mats to block my next project the day after I blocked my shawl. I'm sure it'll be the best $20 I ever spent. LOL I had to pound my pins into ply wood!

[esmerel]

I used about two and a half balls, maybe slightly more. It's hard to tell with that =) Shop mats RULE.

[sailormouse]

Where did you get the shop mats? What are they made of? I'm looking ahead to when I finish the pieces for Accordion (sweater/jacket from knitty). I don't have a good blocking surface right now.

[esmerel]

I got some of them at Costco, some at big lots! Costco sold six of them for 8 bucks or something like that. Might be able to find them at a hardware store, too! they're just foam-rubber of some fashion. They work fantastically.

[cetigrrl]

Out of curiousity, can you only block things knit out of natural fibers? How does one block?

and I think that shawl is AWESOME! :) gorgeous work.

[esmerel]

You can attempt to block anything, but only natural fibers get any lasting benefit out of it! And it works much better with wools than with plant fibers. It's basically a matter of getting the object wet, then stretching it to where it's supposed to be. I would find links but I am LAAAAAAAte to work. Knitty.com has a tutorial I think. :) If I find it, I'll come back later and post it =)

[cetigrrl]

Thank you! You've been a great help. =)