American Beauty, Wrap It Up!

As a reminder, if you follow the American Beauty tag at the bottom of this post, it will take you to the beginning of this project, where you will find a full list of materials and our process. I did my best to show every view. I love the way the shadow is lace...

The sun was a bit too bright, so some of the contrast is lost, but you get the basics! I will have the pattern available at my Ravelry pattern store by the end of April 2009.

You can see how the Chart B motifs rest over the shoulders if you followed the chart sequence as written.

So along with my usual cheesecake shots, I am thrilled to share pictures from several of you who knit this project with me and generously sent me photographs! You people are amazing! Virtual round of applause....and in no special order:

From: Michaela
Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Lace Mango
Needle: 3mm
Size: Wingspan 79" Down 41"
Comments: I repeated the rose inserts, because they were so much fun to do. Beautiful pattern and I thoroughly enjoyed the knit!!!!!

From: Debby (in Southern California)
Yarn: Jojoland Harmony
Needle: Size 1 2.25 mm
Size: 48" across top, 25" down center back

From: Tasha
Yarn used: JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18
Cinnabar and Fuchsia
Needle used: Cinnabar 3 and Fuchsia 4
Finished size across top and down center-back: both are about 59 by 36
Comments: Another great pattern and wonderful company. I did repeat pattern A with the cinnabar.

From: Cara
It was knit with Colourmart 100% Merino 2/28 in Salmon Pink on Addi Turbo Lace needles size 1. The shawl measures approximately 23 inches along the center back and 48 inches across. It was knit as written with no extra repeats.


From: Colleen Archbold
Website/blog
http://www.piecefullypatched.com/
http://www.piecefullypatched.blogspot.com/

Yarn: Kaalund Yarn Enchante, used almost 2 balls (30 g each)
Beads: pink/peach matte size 8 (3mm) plus 9 small heart beads. All the beads were unlabelled so I don't know exactly what they are.
Needles:size 2 (2.75mm)
Blocked size: 28" x 56"
Comments:
I love the shawl and I loved the knitting. The yarn is 100% silk and I found it quite strange to knit. It has no "give" so it tended to make my fingers ache. It drapes nicely and I'm glad I didn't make it any larger than Andrea's instructions....any bigger and it's lovely drape may have changed to flimsy and floppy.
I enjoyed the beading. It's hard to buy beads (for knitting)in Adelaide. It's been a huge learning experience for me to figure out which beads complement the yarn. I think I would like more tranparent beads. However, I'm thrilled with my shawl.
Thanks Andrea for another wonderful experience. The instructions to this lovely shawl are clear and the group is delightful.

From: Deb Silverman
Ravelry: GablesDeb
Yarn: JaggerSpun Super Fine Merino 2/18
Needles: US 3 with 32" cable (Harmony needles)
Finished Size:59" x 28"
Comments: I knit 2 additional repeats of Chart A Rows 27-42 after Chart B3. I'm glad that I did!

From: Debbie in Alabama
Yarn used: Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 Color: Ruby
Needle used: 2.5mm
Finished size across top and down center-back: 68 X 33.5
Comments: I added 2 extra repeats of Chart A. Was a very enjoyable knit and the end result is beautiful. Thanks!

From: Elaine Jones
Your Blog or website: http://www.jonesclan.netbut/
my knitting pictures are all on Ravelry under Driftwood
Yarn used: 2 ply Shetland wool / angora rabbit
Needle used: US #2
Finished size across top and down center-back: 64" x 32"
Comments: I didn't have the special beads, so I improvised a cross in their place. I followed the pattern as given without any added repeats.

From: hmmm Mary Rose last time I checked :)(She is so sassy!)
Your Blog or website: http://shallweeat.blogspot.com/
Yarn used: Colourmart Silk 2/28
Needle used: Addi Lace Turbo size 00(US)
Finished size across top and down center-back: 55 inches across the top, 36 down the center
Comments: I used the "repeat Chart A" modification to get this size from my very small needles. This was a fabulous design, the inclusion of specialty beads made it a very fun knit. I am awed by your ability to take a simple theme and create a truly elegant design. I love it!


From: Michele
Blog: http://miyamojo.blogspot.com/
Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk Lace - Cassis
Silver-lined Gold AB beads - size 8/0 + heart beads
Needles: 3.25mm or US3 Addis Lace
Size: 35" x 65"
Comment: Thanks BadCat! Another beautiful design. Happy belated birthday! More roses for your garden! :)
From Pam Long:
Size 2 needle
ColourMart 55% Cashmere, 45% Silk, 3/45, one strand Dust (gray)
and one Strand Bonbon (pale pink)
51 inches across top and 30 1/2 top to bottom

From Sina:
many thanks for sharing your designs.
My American Beauty was knitted with LaceMohair 700m/100gr, colour Old Rose, purchased at http://die-wolllust.de/shop
I used 1 skein and a very little bit from the second skein for the last 5 rows. I used 4,5mm cir-needles.
Wingspan measurement: 2.10m, down the spine: approx. 1m
My ravelry-name: Sinaida
blog: http://sinaidasblog.blogspot.com/ (only in German)

From Sue in California:
Yarn used: Colourmart 2/27 cashmere, color watermelon
Needle used: US 2
Finished size across top and down center-back: 56" by 30"
Comments:
I did one repeat of Chart B1 and 5 repeats of the section of Chart A
Used the recommended beads from Earthfaire, as well as small heart beads from them
Looking forward to the summer project!
From Susanna:
http://www.sulitkandcats.blogspot.com/
It is 72" long and 36" tall at the center. I'm tall so I like the final product. Also was 20 beads short so only beaded edges and center for the first beading section on chart D. No heart beads, which is still 5 short if I had them. :) Knitted pattern A, A repeat, B1, B2, B3, A, A, C, D...Also slept through the first row of chart C and did a double YO at the center so did a ssk and K2tog on the next row to fix stitch count. Liked the look that is why I left it. Info is on Ravelry if you need anything else. Thanks for another fun knit!

American Beauty, Take Six!

Thank you for waiting so patiently! I just returned from a little trip to heaven, and I feel fully restored. I hope to share my trip with you next week, along with a preview of all the things I worked on while traveling. In the mean time, we have some unfinished business! The photo above is the best one I have right now, but you can see how the project ends...

Here is the center/back, with my blocking suggestion. I ran a wire along the eyelets between the top edge of the shawl and the triangle. I pinned out each scallop along that top edge, and also each point along the two lower edges. I used a whole bunch of pins for the center back section.

And I pinned the fronts as above.

Special instructions are noted on the chart, which should be printed in "portrait" today. Pay attention to these notes. I used double yarn-overs before and after each heart bead, to be sure there was enough yarn for the bead to lay properly. On the return row I dropped one of the loops from each yarn-over. You should consider the size of your beads the the size of your needles and determine if this is what you should do too. Also, for those of you using beads that have a top and a bottom, be sure you put them on with the correct orientation! Upside down hearts might not be what you have in mind, eh?

Ha! I forgot to add the cast-off didn’t I? Thanks, Deb! I used the following:
Knit 2, return both to left-hand needle, knit 2 together through the back.
*Knit 1, return 2 to left-hand needle, knit 2 together through the back* repeat!

I am now off to do laundry, shop and otherwise prepare for my upcoming return to work on Monday. This will include going through all of my travel pictures and paying excessive attention to LucyFur and Cap'n Flint.

As usual I long for photos of your finished projects, so once you block your shawls please send pictures along if you will allow me to share them on the up-coming "wrap-up" blog post. Use the following format:
Your name:
Your Blog or website:
Yarn used:
Needle used:
Finished size across top and down center-back:
Comments:
Send an email in the format above, along with a jpg or two, to:
BadCatDesigns@verizon.net

Until next time, knit and be merry!

American Beauty, Take Five!

And another happy Friday to all of you! I hope your week was better than mine, but enough said...

Today's post brings us to very nearly the end of our project. I will have one more set of charts, but they only cover a few rows, plus our cast-off. Those few rows are important, but brief! The remaining "meat" of our project is here today. I trust each of you decided either yes or no on the extra Chart A row sequence repeats. After looking over our chart today, you can make a final choice on that front.

Chart C is broken into three parts. You must cover each of the three chart sections on each row. In other words, work the first row of the Right Edge, Center and Left Edge. This will take you across one row. Do not forget that we are still following the Edge Charts also. Please note that we no longer have that pesky center stitch. It is gone... Also note that on row 155, you will find a double yarn-over on either side of the Center Chart section. That is not an error. On the return row (156) you will purl into the first yarn-over, and knit into the second one. Enjoy!

Once again, if you are new to the party, please take the time to review all previous posts with the American Beauty tag. We are way into our process, but there is always time for you to join us.

I need some feedback. There is one final instruction post (after today) for this project. After that final instruction post, I will post finished photos (your photos and mine!) I can either post our final instructions one week from today or wait until April first. I am going away, so even if I post the final instructions, I won't be around to field questions. Do any of you have a strong need to see the end before April first? Post a comment and let me know. Until then, knit on!

American Beauty, Take Four!

Happy Friday! We are continuing on with our American Beauty project. If you are new to the party, please begin at the beginning, by following the "American Beauty" tag (see labels listed on left edge.) As you can see from my picture, we have one more week of rose buds. Chart B3 is the same as B2, but for the repeats, so pay special attention. You will work Chart B3 once through. After you finish, you can go back to Chart A and add repeats of rows 27-42 for a larger final piece. Note the row repeat section and the pattern repeat section. I can't tell you how many PATTERN (not ROW) repeats to do because I don't know how many ROW repeats you will do, so you have to make that determination yourself. After Chart B3, without extra Chart A row repeats, we will have a total of about 29 more charted rows (this is about 60 more total rows because only odd numbered rows are charted, eh?) You can measure your piece (down the spine) and see how many yarn-overs to the inch you are getting down the spine. Each yarn-over will stand for one charted row (or two rows.) This should help you decide if you want to do any Chart A row repeats.

So here you have Chart B3, and have a nice week knitting. If you are still not sure about adding extra chart A row repeats by the time you finish Chart B3, add a life-line so you can come back later. It is always good to keep your options open! Until next week, knit on!

American Beauty, Take Three!

It's Friday! I am glad to be ready to post our next chart, just in time for Happy Hour...at least in New York. You might notice that my picture is better this week. That has something to do with a little thing called blocking. I just love blocking lace knitting. I never know exactly what I will get, but I am almost never disappointed. This week our design is proceeding along without a real surprise. We have two more rose buds opening. I know that several of you finished last week's chart within hours of my post, but this week it might take longer, just because those darn rows are getting longer, right?

Chart B2 follows Chart B1 without fanfare, so keep going! There are no row repeats this week. Do not worry. I have not forgotten about giving you the option to make your piece larger, but we are not there yet. If you are new to the party, please take some time to review all previous posts with the "American Beauty" tag, so you can catch up to us. Everything you need will be there! Until next week, knit a few more rose...