04-21-2024

Bought yarn and pattern today and ordered beads for the edging and wound the yarn and finished one pattern repeat on size 6 needle; somehow I felt compelled to follow mamasue’s lead and use a bigger needle. I hope, I won’t regret that.
Let’s see if I can pull this off and have it done in three weeks.

04-22-2024

Added three more repeats for a total of four.
I also wrote out the instructions row by row on index cards to make it easier on me, because I was having a hard time working from the computer screen and even from screenshots.
I also got the pattern printed at the library.
And last not least, a friend lend me some size 6 beads in case the ones I ordered are not here in time when I am ready for the border. At least I won’t need to feel anxious about that.

04-23-2024

Worked two more repeats today which brings the total to six. I am aiming for nine full repeats and then rows 1-11 before starting the edge. I should get to that point by the weekend ( it’s Tuesday today).
Starting today I am doing the double wrapped stitch every other row for a better stretch on the top of the shawl ( this was suggested by mamasue in her wild poppies shawl notes).

https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamasue/wild-poppies-2

And I also started marking the first row of each repeat just in case I loose track.

04-24-2024

Got busy with other things today, but still got one pattern repeat done which brings the total tally to 7 repeats.

04-25-2024

A crazy day today and I barely got any knitting done. Hubby at the hospital.
Decided to leave it at seven repeats total plus rows 1-11.
It is plenty big enough, especially since I am working on size 6 needles ( which I somehow regret).
A happy moment today was that the beads arrived !!! Yeah!

04-26-2024

Still a very busy day with things other than knitting, but the good news is that Tony came home from hospital today.
I started on the border in the lighter blue color and got two rows done ( did I say that I also run an Airbnb?! Busy )
Before starting on the border, I placed removable stitch markers every nine stitches, to make sure everything lines up correctly. I replaced them in the second row with smaller round markers.

04-27-2024

Started off the day with 1 1/2 hour of knitting finishing another five rows on Petal Pattern 1 and feel the benefit of knitting. Feeling calm, confident and ready to tackle the rest of the day.
Two more sessions of experiencing the calming effect of knitting , one by the pond while celebrating my DIL’s birthday and one while waiting for a guest and voila, Petal Pattern1 is finished.

04-28-2024

First six rows of Petal Pattern 2 done

04-29-2024

Finished Petal Pattern 2 and started fretting that I have enough yarn (I am using a bigger needle).
Six more rows for the edging and then the picot bind off…
I also worked the first row of the edging.

04-30-2024

I am on the last row of the edging and the row when I place beads. Thanks to the fleegle beader by Gossamer Web, this is a relatively easy feat.
Here is a YouTube link on how to use it:
https://youtu.be/a-XfPuwnPk8?si=wBO5h3dCv2g94WNP

In the end I did use a crochet hook. The hook on the fleegle beader did not work well with the yarn.

Whichever tool you choose, there is no doubt that placing the beads will slow you down.

I did finish the edge today and will bind off tomorrow.
There is plenty of yarn left to work the pretty picot bind off.

05-01-2024

Just a few more stitches to bind off, but got most of it done today.

05-02-2024

Finished with the bind off.
Unfortunately I won’t have the time to block it until tomorrow.
Size before blocking: wingspan 54”/ Depth 27”
The size is perfect and I will block it very lightly, just to have the lace pop.

05-03-2024

BLOCKED!

05-04-2024

Fashion show with Henrietta, my model