When I hit the part where I was to start the last chart, for the lacy edging, I stopped for a bit of a think. It looked to me like I was going to finish that last chart with a lot of yarn left over, which meant a good bit of that gradient was going to go to waste. A bit of geometry was applied and I figured that I was at the halfway point knitting wise, but I had lots more than half the yarn left. Hurray! I could do one more repeat of the lace pattern used for the body of the shawl!
Famous last words, right?
As I inched up that last chart, row by row, I watched my rapidly-diminishing ball of yarn with increasing alarm.
There's a time-honored technique deployed by knitters everywhere when they find themselves in this situation - I knit faster and faster, hoping I'd finish before I ran out of yarn.
(Note to non-knitters: No, this doesn't work. It has never worked, but we keep doing it anyway.)
One moment I was
I had a row and a half of chart left -
but only this much yarn.
I needed to work one wrong side row, then the last row of the chart, and then I figured I could cheat and skip the last wrong side row and just head right for the bind off instead.
So, over, back, and over once more.
Yeah, yeah, this'll work. Yeah...
I marked the halfway point of that little ball of yarn and set off knitting. I barely made it over once, before hitting that mark. Even cheating, I was still going to end up a full row short.
Rip... Rewind. I went back to before the last chart started, then took out two extra rows from the body of the shawl (never miss them, right?), and started that last chart again.
I'm only a couple of rows from where I was last time, but I've got way more yarn left.
I'm sure it's going to work this time. Absolutely. Yep.
It's going to be fine.
Though I might start knitting a little faster...
That sounds like me and the gas gauge .. I just drive faster.
ReplyDeleteSuch pretty yarn!
Whoever received this lovely shawl is going to be thrilled, not only the lacy pattern but that glorious colour!
ReplyDeleteI love the color of the shawl. This is why I stick to knitting dishrags. No one cares if you run short and just add a different color. I hope it all works out for you.
ReplyDeleteDo you call this "Knit Chicken," like we play "Bobbin Chicken" when quilting? Crossing my fingers that you have enough of that gorgeous yarn!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much those last rows can eat up, and how much we can underestimate it!
ReplyDeleteI like the look of that last chart... I hope you'll show a finished pic after its been gifted!
So that's what you've been up to! From what I can see it's gorgeous- lacy and turquoise and variegated has to be gorgeous. I promise I won't notice any problem with it when you send it to me and I'll wear it with pride 8-)
ReplyDeleteI have a crocheted shawl that is so far a pattern, balls of yarn and hook. Yarn might be dusty now. A mouse probably tore up and used part of the pattern for a nest.
That is a pretty color and a pretty design. Making sure there is must the right amount of material - not too much, not too little can be downright tricky. That's why I like scrap quilts, so adjustments can be made. I always get nervous with more planned quilts, no matter how much I have of the fabric. What if I run out?
ReplyDeleteLol. Oh my! You are so cute. I could just picture you knitting faster as the blood pressure was getting higher. Hilarious! We have a lady at work who eats like that. The more she has to do the faster she eats. I can't watch her because I choke for her every single time, lol. I wish I was the lucky recipient of that shawl. What a gorgeous color this is and the lacy pattern, sublime! Can't wait to see more pictures of it after Christmas. Good luck with your running. :^D
ReplyDeleteBeen there. Done that. Put out a call on Ravelry for leftover yarn!!
ReplyDelete