The Snow Queen Gala: Wrap it up!

I am thrilled to bring you my final Snow Queen post. If you have been here for any of my previous group projects, you will know that one of my greatest pleasures is seeing your work. Today I would like to share photos that knitters from The Snow Queen group have generously shared. I listed the knitter's name and the details of their project above the photographs of their work. I think you will be as impressed as I am! Enjoy!

Name: Teresa
Ravelry name: teresat2t
Yarn: Grignasco Cashmere-Seta/ used about 2058 metres Added tiers means that I added 3000 beads (silver lined crystal size 8/0 from Earth Fairie)
Needle size: 2.5, 2.75 and 3.00 mm
Gauge and finished size after blocking: blocked to 68"
Any modifications? Added extra tiers by repeating Chart F after an increase row. Yes - that is 1156 sts per row.
I knit the first tier of Chart F extension as directed by BadCat and rotated second tier by 16sts so that the nupp motif would line up with Chart F. Also added additional flowers so that each tooth has a flower. Chart G - combined one pattern row (to reduce entire chart by 2r) due to limited yardage. I really didn't want to run out after all this knitting..
Comments:This project was spectacular to knit and the finished project would make a fabulous christening shawl. Talk about heirloom.


Name: Sue in CA
Ravelry name: Monksqueedunk (a childhood name!)
Yarn: Colourmart Cashmere 2/28, used about 3/4 of one cone. The yarn is identified by a number (130016) but is a natural or creamy white. 1 cone is 2300 yards, so I probably used around 1725 yards.
Needles: cast on with US 2, knit most of the shawl with US 3, changed to US 4 for the last 30 rows
Beads: Beadwrangler 8.0 silver lined clear (#110) and silver lined 3mm magatamas for the border
Finished size: 52.5 inches
No modifications (though I debated adding an extra tier)
Comments: I appreciated every detail of this design, loved the "Estonian" adaptation of the pi, learned how to do nupps in the round, and think this is an absolutely gorgeous design. I am tempted to knit another one because it was just plain fun to knit.

Name: Melissa
Ravelry name: twoknitwit
Yarn info: Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 Cone ~ approximately 1000 yds for my smaller version
Needle sizes: US1 (2.25mm), US2 (2.75mm), US3 (3.25mm), and US4 (3.5mm) for bind-off row only to keep it loose since I cast off really tightly
Finished size & gauge: 80cm diameter and 10st/inch
Mods: I finished chart F at first marked stopping point for a smaller Snow Queen and also did not use any beads (replaced all beads with 3 stitch nupps)
Comments: the group was a perfect venue for a fairly inexperienced lace knitter ~ the pattern is amazing with lots of new techniques, instructions were great, lots of encouragement from the members of the KAL as well as helpful hints that made success for me inevitable! I can see why you have so many loyal followers!
Name: Mary, or Mary Rose whichever you prefer! :)
Blog: http://shallweeat.blogspot.com/
Ravelry name: marydear
Yarn: ColourMart Superfine Merino 2/28, less than a full cone
Needles:US 1 through 4 needles
Blocked size: 62 inches across
No mods here
Comments: This is the prettiest shawl I have ever knit and the photo's do not do it justice.

Name: Kathleen
Ravelry Name: kfitz835
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kfitz835/snow-queen-pi-shawl
has notes and my ramblings as I worked through the shawl.
Yarn: Knitpicks Gloss Lace (50% silk/50% merino, 2 ply) 3.26 skeins = 1434.4 yards (1311.6m) colour Aquamarine
Needle size: 3.75 mm (I forgot to size up for the edging but had no trouble getting it to block flat) Gauge and finished size after blocking: finished approx 60" in diameter. I didn't measure the gauge. I like the fee land drape of laceweights when I knit them on 3.75's so that my go to combo. I knit fairly tight.
Any modifications you made? not intentional ones.
Comments: I really enjoyed knitting this shawl. The pattern was a pleasure to knit. It kept you thinking but was natural enough that I wasn't a slave to the charts.

Name: Elaine Jones
Blog: http://www.jonesclan.net/
Ravelry name: Driftwood
Yarn: Jaggerspun Zephyr 2/18 50% Silk / 50% Wool 1562 yards
Needles: Sizes 3, 4, and 5
Gauge and finished size after blocking 64" diameter
Beads: #8 Dark Grey Silver Lined Japanese Delicas

Name: Debby Patterson
Ravelry name: debbypat
Yarn: KnitPicks Gloss Lace, about 1540 yards used (just under 3.5 skeins)
Beads: Size 8 Matte Raku Teal.
Needles: US Sizes 4, 5, 6
Gauge: Never swatched Finished size 64" diameter.
Comments: I was going to try to get outside pictures this afternoon, but rain looks likely, so I thought I'd try this first. Backlit, the lace and nupps show up nicely, especially in such dark yarn. Bonus, you get to see the lovely Crape Myrtles across the street!

Name: Debbie Thompson
Ravelry name: xs4ever
Yarn: Wollmeise Lace-garn Pfefferminz Prinz colorway (blue-greens) about 1700 yards
Needles: US2, US3, US4
Blocked size: 62 inches in diameter
Comments: I loved knitting this and I love the finished project. Thanks Andrea for sharing this design and letting us knit along with you.


Name: Colleen
Yarn: Yarn Addict Silky Merino (1312yds per 100gm) 1 ply cobweb. I used one skein plus about 2/3 of the second skein.
Needle Size US 4 (3mm) needles
beads from an Australian online shop, Cranberry, Berrylicious size 8 seedbeads plus size 8 megatamas around edge.
Measures approx 58" diameter.

Name: Cara
Ravelry name: Stamax
Yarn: Colourmart 2/28 50/50 Cashmere/Merino in Crudo (2300 yards/150 gm)
The shawl used 100 gms of fiber or approximately 1550 yards.
Needles: U.S. needle sizes 2, 3, and 4.
Blocked size: After unpinning she measures 54 inches in diameter, but I think could be blocked a bit larger The beads are a beige color, gold lined AB finish with matching mini-magatamas for the edge. The pattern was knit without any modifications.
Comments: This is absolutely the most beautiful thing I have ever knit. It was also one of the most delightful, I never tired of the process. Thank you Andrea for such a lovely experience. Your designs are amazing and the lovely groups of knitters that participate will keep me coming back to all your KALs.


Name: Jean
Ravelry name: Cali1951 on Ravelry
Yarn: 2/24 cashmere/wool blend mill end from E-bay. Approx 1350 yards
Color: Lemongrass
Beads: #8 silver lined crystal beads from Fire Mountain
Edging Beads: 3 mm gold lined peridot magatamas from ArtBeads
Needles: US 2 (2.75mm) US 2 1/2 (3.00mm) & US 3 (3.25mm)
Size: 50’ across
Comments:I really wanted to get a picture outside where the light is better and I could lay it out flat, but there have been 40 mile an hour winds here for the past couple of days and it’s going to rain for the next 4 or 5 days. So as oddly shaped as this looks it really is round.

Name: Amanda
Blog Url: http://paradisefoundkerrie.blogspot.com/
Rav Name: AmandavW
Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 2 ply in Almond. 1200 yds
Needle Size: 2.25mm (1), 2.75mm (2), 3.25mm (3)
Finished size: 41" (104cm)



Name: Debra Fassler
debola on Ravelry
Yarn: Jade Sapphire Silk/Cashmere, Colorway #77, Mallard
Approximately 1800 yards
Needles size 3 and 4
After blocking it's approximately 53 inches across
Notes: As I've already told the group, this was a project of "firsts" for me...first circular cast-on that didn't end in (literally) tears, first nupps, and first beads. I never thought I could do a circular shawl, and I don't think I could have done this one without all of the assistance from Andrea and the group. Thanks so much...I look forward to the next KAL, and have a couple of friends that might join us next time!


Was that not just amazing??? To all the members of my Snow Queen group (be you represented with photographs here or not) I thank you for your excellent company throughout this project. Are you all ready to do it again? Stand by for Summer 2010, because I have something fun planned and you will be the first to hear about it! Until next week or there-abouts, knit on!

Late Breaking News! I have a few more Snow Queens to share 4/22/2008. Enjoy!

Name: Mona
Ravelry name: flamewerks
Yarn info: Alpaca with a Twist alpaca/silk in Tamarino (0093) ~ approximately 1700 yds Needle sizes: US3, US4, US5, and US6 for bind-off row only keep it loose since I cast off really tightly Finished size: 66" diameter
Comments: This is a beautiful design and I really enjoyed knitting it. Thanks for the opportunity to participate in the KAL.
Name: Pat F
Ravelry name: fenknits
Yarn and amount: Colourmart Cashmere/Silk/Merino 2/28NM Laceweight, not sure but estimated about 1300 yards
Needles:Started on US 2 double-pointed needles and switched to US 3 circulars for most of the shawl and then ended with US 4 needles for finishing the border.
Finished size after blocking: about 58 inches
Modifications: None
Comments:Loved this shawl. I was slow as I had never done such an intricate or large lace project before. I also had never done nupps. It is the most beautiful knitted object I have ever completed.

The Snow Queen Rises...

Finally complete and ready to share! This shows you as much as I could get in the frame.
This is a detail of the beaded section in Chart F.

And this is a detail of the "Hearts and Crowns" in Chart G.
My Snow Queen Group is still in progress, and people are finishing one by one. I plan to share more versions of Snow Queen with you as the group finishes up. For today I will just share my version.
The pattern is now available at my Ravelry Store. I suggest that you follow the link to the store for details and more photographs. You can use this link if you are not on Ravelry. The cost is $8.50, and the pattern is a 15 page booklet with lots of detail. My patterns are very well charted but do not include line-by-line (written) directions. This pattern includes a center start, many nupps and beads and is for the adventurous knitter! It is a really fun knit.
Abbreviated Materials Discussion from the pattern:

Yarn: I used Colourmart 2/28 10% cashmere 90% wool. One cone has 150 grams which is just over 2200 yards. I used under one cone. I choose to work in a natural white color for this project. You can stick with me and use one cone of a 2/28 Colourmart yarn or you can use any other yarn of your choice. Please refer to the swatch section for a good discussion about figuring out how much yarn you will need.
Beads: I used 8/0 Japanese crystal rainbow seed beads. If you use all the bead placements and knit the full Chart F you will need about 33 grams of beads (based on 350 beads per 8 grams which is approximate.) To break it down, you will need 64 beads for Chart E and 448 beads for each repeat (there are three) of chart F. You will need 48 beads for Chart G. This takes us to a grand total 1456 seed bead. There are also some optional drop beads or magatama beads in the cast-off (42.) You have the option to omit any of the beads that you choose.
Needles: I used US 2, 3 and 4 needles, or size for gauge with your middle size needle. You need a set of four or five double points for the center and a 32 inch circular for the final chart.
Other Stuff:
-You will need stitch markers if you like to use them. I suggest 16 markers, with one being unique to mark the start of the row.
-You will need stainless steel T-pins to block.
-You will need a ruler to measure yarn (see swatch section.)
-You will need a calculator
-You will need a yarn needle to weave in ends

I have some blocking photos and directions that I will post next week. Until then, knit on!

Snowed in With The Snow Queen: Fixing Nupps.

Here in New York we had another snow day...and it snowed. Although I had hoped for nonstop knitting, I was faced with some nonstop shoveling.
In fairness, I only helped dig out my car. My dear husband did the bulk of it, plus his car, plus the walk...yes, that is my car...
Where is that hot tub when you need it???
I want to discuss nupp repair. I am talking about those wayward loops that you notice 20 rows past. You know what I mean. As careful as you are, a loop or two somehow always gets missed. You will look down and that loop, just sticking out, will declare its self. Here is what I do. DO NOT PULL ON IT! Take a contrasting piece of yarn on a blunt needle, run it through the loop, bring it to the back of your work at the top of the nupp missing the loop and make a little bow. Your nupp from the front should look normal if you brought the loop to the back through the top of the nupp. Ignore it until you are finished.
Once you cast-off, but before you block, fix nupps. You need a snippers or scissors, a blunt needle and some of your project yarn.
My project yarn is a 2-ply. I untwisted about 9 inches of my yarn, so I had 1-ply. Do this patiently using the blunt needle to help the 2-ply untwist. Depending on your yarn this either will work well or be too frustrating. If it is the later, just use the yarn as it is.
Using the needle, remove that contrasting yarn and replace it with the 1-ply project yarn. Take at look at your work from the front. Can you see a problem with the nupp from the front? I bet not. Return to the back and weave the 1-ply ends in with care, following the stitch pattern. Weave 1 end in one directions and cross the 2nd end over the 1st, weaving in the other direction. If you do it with care you will never find the spot you just fixed from either side. Fix any wayward loops that you find. While you are at it, weave all your ends in. You can split the yarn as I did above, which will make it very hard to find your ends, but be careful not to break the yarn and end up with nothing to weave in, eh?

I will be back next week with an updated picture or two of Snow Queen! Until then, knit on...

My Tagine Runneth Over

I thought I would share my good fortune and at the same time offer a huge thank-you to everyone who shared my birthday and made me feel so very special. Your generosity is overwhelming and I am so happy to have you all as my family and friends.
To my darling Badkitten and her father, I just love you guys! BK whipped up this cake for me, and she says you can have some for yourself if you follow this link.
My brother and his family gave me this elegant Tagine, in which I made this for dinner last night. He also gave me a rice cooker. We love to cook chez BadCat, so these will get good use.
My sister and her family gave me these, so I can keep that Tagine full on a regular basis!
Harry made me this, and I was told the stickers were hand selected with me in mind. I love them.
This is just a few of the cards I got, that I though were most appropriate to share. The peas in the pod are yarn...
I snuck this little swatch in, for lack of a better place! 2/80 merino cashmere on 4-0 needles. More later!
My friend Sandra gave me a selection of these amazing stitch markers. These fit on US 2 and smaller needles, are totally handmade (even the headpins) and the nicest I have ever had. They are from Spindle Cat Studios. I love them.

My friend Dawn gave me a pair of US 2 needles. Not just any needles. THESE needles. She selected the shortest length and the stiletto tip. She knows what I like. I love them.
The swatch is from a cone of 2/18 Cotton and linen that my friend Pat gave me. Purple. I love it.
My friend Jeri made this name tag for me. She is an amazing art quilter, beader and knitter. I still can't believe that she made this just for me. And in purple too...I love it.
This is a terrible photo, so please forgive me, but my friend Mary Rose made me this a little while ago and I wanted to share it. She secretly grabbed my Ravelry avatars and made me a shirt with them. How cool is that??? I love it!
This is just a "little something" my friend Lara sent me. A real knitter's kit, I have no idea how she stuffed so many goodies into one bag! You can see just a few of them, but I believe she thought of everything a hardcore knitter might need in a pinch, including some cool things I had never seen (note the crochet hook with a knitting needle end, the handmade stitch markers and a perfect clip light for knitting in bed while your honey is trying to sleep.) Amazing! I love it.
One of the most stunning surprises I got was a package from my friend Malle. She sent me all sorts of goodies, but I will share two with you! This mitten book was just published and is in both Estonian AND English. It is full of wonderful history and MANY charted patterns for traditional Estonian mittens. It is another gorgeous, hard cover book from Estonia. I love it!
She also sent me Valentine's Day yarn. I understand it is a typical Estonian yarn, and it has very long color repeats. It is a 2/8 yarn. I have not decided what it will be yet, but I love it.
And not to be outdone, I selected a few things for myself, and we can say they are from my little family even though I ordered them, right? These are two cobweb weight yarns from Bev, at Land O Lace. One is a 2/56 and one is a 2/60. Both are in colors that are new, in my favorite color family. I am note sure what they will become yet, but they are gorgeous.
I got this Folca box, from The Gossamer Web. You can see that I filled it with some of my little necessities. It is really cool.
I also got another skein of Love Potion #3, which was such a pleasure to work with. I am not sure what it will become yet!
Finally, I got this little Kuchulu spindle from Jenkins Woodworking. The penny (it happens to be Canadian as a little homage to the Olympics) shows you just how tiny this baby is. Lilac wood and pink ivory. Perfect.
Finally, a little Snow Queen update, so you don't think I am all goodies and no action! This is a closeup of a beaded section in Chart F.
And this shows everything through Chart E. Our group just moved to Chart F last week and we have some serious knitting to go.


Again, I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. I love you all. I will be back next week with a picture tutorial on fixing nupps. You know how those nupps seem to give up a loop every once in a while? I will show you what I do to repair them. Until then, knit on!