15 October 2016

Could not get my head around the picot CO stitch count to achieve my required 436 stitches, messaged Carol, she was extremely helpful and now I see I was not reading the instructions clearly.

I am making the largest size. For the picot cast on, my count of stitches was as follows: (I am not sure if it is correct, but I am now on row 6 of the pattern and looks just fine).

start with 24 sts then 17 x 23 sts, & end with 21 sts = 436 sts

Using my Addi Long Lace interchangeable needles on 100 cm cable.

16 October 2016

This palest silver grey Malabrigo, is a really beautiful Turtle Dove colour. However, it takes on a different hue dependent on the weather conditions. Today it is wet and windy and the wool looks almost duck egg green/blue. I think also it is affected by what colour it is beside when you look at it.

I would have loved to have tried Carol’s wool, but as far as I know she does not have an outlet here in the UK. Maybe one day I will order from the USA and try it, everyone seems smitten, and it does look deliciously soft and lush in the photos.

17 October 2016

Row 13, stitch 50, caused me a little concern. On the chart it looked wrong & unbalanced, in the knitting it looks very neat. I should have known Carol would have thought this through to best advantage, but I did ask if this was correct…..just in case. I did not fancy tinking back 606 sts on this of all rows. Row 14 now complete also. A relief to come down from all those stitches.

18 October 2016

Row 15: I have snugged up this row to take up the slack of the last RS decrease row 13. This may or may not be a good idea, only blocking will tell. Update when it is all finished.

Why Aird’s Hotel Shawl, as a name? Well I am fortunate enough to have lived in Argyll, Scotland, for over 46 years. We have some of the best food in the world, and in particular our seafood is outstanding. Also Argyll is very beautiful. My daughter & I are meeting up at the Aird’s Hotel, Port Appin, near Oban in November, for a girly weekend and gourmet food, a break away from our family lives and chores. The small family run Aird’s Hotel is renowned for its excellent food and quietly understated, tasteful luxury. I plan to wear this shawl on one of the evenings for dinner, so it seemed fitting to call the shawl thus, it’s sure to be a memorable stay and a beautiful shawl.

05 Nov 2016

Not happy with various bind offs, tried several. Trying my own picot. Have made up cast on 4, bind off 7 picot.

Finished yesterday. Today wove in ends, bathed and now blocking & drying. I think my picot cast off has the picots too long, 2 or 3 stitches cast on before 7 bind off would have been better. They look a bit like an edge made of elongated nipples!

Pics with blue background are simply shawl spread out as it came off the needles, pics with red background show wet shawl blocked out with pins, though they do not show up.

In the winter evenings this will be perfect over black with my pearls, in warmer weather, baby pink will go well with the silver grey, and it will be perfect with all my greys and charcoals - new fave wardrobe staple!