almost done with chart three!!!!!!!!


I see the light at the end of the tunnel. After frogging the beginging of chart 2 like 9e8r983983989384 times, finally some progress. The rows seriously take me like 15 minutes to do now, but almost done!

Knitting Math and The Intrepid Knitter

I sat and looked at my shawl.
I recounted stitches.
I weighed the ball again,
I read the pattern over.

Nothing changed.

The math doesn't lie. There isn't enough yarn to finish.

So what's an intrepid knitter to do? I'm altering the pattern. If I dismiss knitting rows 1-8 of Chart Four the feathers may line up close enough to make it work. This requires some tweeking with increases but it should leave me enough yarn. I've used just over a gram per row in the last few rows.

So instead of 24+ rows remaining I'd have 16+ rows. My yarn ball weighs 24 grams. I also have a swatch that weighs 2 grams. If it comes down to the last row - I can frog the swatch.

Hopefully I'll have pictures up of the shawl soon. We're having technical issues with the digital camera.

Hey hey. Guess what I learned last week?

I learned to count to 7!

See what happened next?




Icarus got her (his?) first set of feather ends. Here's a closer look


As you may recall, I've decided to make this more of a feathered cape look than have just one set of feather ends....

She'd be even bigger had I not then started the next tier of feathers offset by half a feather width. Oops. I WANTED them offeset, but wound up knitting them even.

duh.

And may I say how much I LOVE this yarn which is showing ZERO signs of wear despite repeated trips to the frog pond? I am so psyched!

My Icarus is off the needles. Note I didn't say it was finished, just off the needles. I began experiencing acute pain in my forearm while knitting on Icarus and finally decided that it was time to swallow my knitterly pride and admit defeat.
After completing chart 3, rather than proceeding to chart 4, I did a row of yarn over, knit two together (to mimic the eyelet across the top edge) and then two rows of plain knit. I ran a scrap yarn through all the live stitches and slipped them off the needle. I am now in the process of adding a knit-on lace edging to the live stitches along the bottom. This edging should give the shawl a finished look (if you didn't read the pattern and know better!) and give my poor arm a break. I wish I had the fortitude to stick it out for all of Icarus. This is a gorgeous pattern. My modified Icarus will still be lovely, however, and I am looking forward to it's completion.
See more of my work on Icarus and other knitting endeavors on my knit blog.

Ta da! I'm done, and I'm so relieved. For awhile there, things weren't looking so good.

I picked Icarus for my Amazing Lace Project. As soon as that Interweave hit the shelves in the Spring, I just fell for that shawl. It reminded me, not of a boy who got his wings fried off and crashed to the sea, but of a butterfly. My favorite t-shirt when I was a kid had a butterfly, and in looking back on childhood pictures, I was always wearing a huge smile along with that butterfly t-shirt. So, I "swatched" lilac Zephyr and cast-on. When I say "swatched" I mean that I didn't swatch for gauge, but for the fabric that I wanted. So, I began knitting . . . then I began sleeping . . . and then I got distracted. That first chart is such a bore to knit I just wasn't sure I would get through it.

Then, I resolved in August to get some unfinished projects off the needles, and I designated Icarus just such a project. I took it up with new resolve. However, when I did, I noticed a HOLE in a yarn over column. How could that have happened??? I inspected it closely - it was no moth hole, and believe you me, I know I moth hole when I see it. Then, I remembered - for one of my Amazing Lace Challenges (the one where you had to hide you knitting in a photo a la Where's Waldo), I had smooshed up Icarus into a ball, and hooked it to my toilet paper roll (because that's about how I was feeling about it at the time). I must have poked a hole. What a moron! Anyway, I darned up the hole - its close to the top, and my hair kind of falls over it anyway.

Chart 3, Chart 4 and the edging are much more interesting - and I found myself getting curiouser and curiouser about how the thing was going to look. I began knitting at furious pace- and, just before bind off - I ran out of yarn. Geesh. Could this project be fraught with more obstacles? Luckily, my LYS had just enough left on the cone to allow me to finish it off.

During the hate period of my love/hate relationship with Icarus, I thought about gifting it when I was done. But, now, I don't want to part with it - and I really need to cook up a fancy night on the town so I can wear my wings!

Good luck to everyone - especially those plowing through Chart 1 - hang in there - it's so worth it!

I have finished my Icarus, look att my blog: http://froding.blogspot.com
I have used flax about 200g of 16/2 and needles 3.0
It is so soft and cosy and I really recommend you to use flax in your next project!!
Regards//Marianne
If you want to have som translation, please ask and I will write in english!!

Here's Icarus, nearing the end of Chart 2. If you look over on my blog, and peer closely at the top of the knitting, where you can see the cable from my needle, there are the beginnings of the feathers that make up the edge of the shawl.

You'll have to look closely, or use a magnifying glass; I was afraid to pull the knitting taut enough to really show the detail. The last time I put photographic excellence ahead of knitting, I spent about an hour ripping and putting stitches back on to the needle.

I'm still loving the colors, and the response to the yarn. I was knitting while wiating to go in to a doctor's appointment, and a woman walked up to me and exclaimed "what beautiful yarn!" Yup, I made it myself. Koolaid dyed, very easy to do, color fast. Yes, she agreed, while she hadn't done any yarn dying, she knew from trying to get Koolaid stains out of her kids' clothes that it is very colorfast indeed.

If one was counting, one might note that after the last two rows of Chart 2, all that will be left to do are charts 3 and 4. And because one is resisting the temptation to make this competitive, there has been an effort to avoid counting said rows. However, eyeballing it, I'd say I have about 35 rows or so to go. Yeah!

Wow, those last 12 rows seemed so long!

Yesterday, I finished Chart 4 - and today the last four rows. She's done.

She was about 28 inches down the center line before blocking - after 34 - and almost 70 across the back. I added some carmel brown glass beads the same way that Miriam did on her original Icarus -on the purl stitch above the 4yo's. I'm quite happy about them. Sparkly - but not trashy.

This is the first time I've got to use my new blocking wires - what a treat! Here's a couple of shots:

Can't wait for it to dry and let her fly!

For the knit geek in all of us:

Knit-Wise Cashmere (2ply) 4 - 25g skeins - 800m (only 5 grams left) Garnet Red colour. Made in Scotland - available through YarnForward in Ottawa.

3.25 mm needles - It knits around 30 sts per 4 inches - but softens and relaxes to about 28 after wash.

Unblocked: about 28 inches down center spike - blocked - 34. I could have blocked it *more agressively* to size - but I liked the way it was looking - without being strained.

Thanks Miriam!

I've been loving this shawl, especially in the Aziza yarn (tencel from Just Our Yarn). However, I have already modified the pattern once, since I really hate having points at my butt... I found moving the "center" increase lines was easy, and I was able to incorporate them into the natural yo lines in the pattern.

Here she is, as seen on my regular blog, draped over the table lamp:



Now I'm starting to question my sanity -- I'm wanting to add more "layers" of feathers. This, of course, will mean that this isn't really an Icarus Shawl anymore, but would still use only Icarus charts.... I have this vision of a feathered cape...

someone stop me... or cheer me on....

Off to insert a life line so that if I try this and it's dreadful, I can frog in comfort...

Just posting a little progress report...

I am two rows shy of being done with chart 1. I'm afraid of running out of yarn, so I left lifelines at the 5th and 4th repeats. Hopefully I won't have to frog back! I can't wait for the really juicy stuff in the remaining charts!

I am starting Chart 2 and hope someone who's worked past this point can help.

Should the second YO in the pattern repeat of row 1 of Chart 2 line up with the center stitch of the K2tog, YO, center stitch, YO, SSK of Chart 1? and if not, do the Yos in Chart 2 line up with anything in particular from Chart 1?

Does that make sense? Basically, I'm wondering if I should see the long lacy lines from Chart 1 continue, or line up symmetrically or not with the edging?

thanks-

Finally, I am up and running with this pattern! I bought some laceweight yarn in lavender from the Knittery (web digs here: http://theknittery.com/)

I have had some trials and tribulations to start with (this is my first laceweight pattern) but I think I understand what is going on with the first chart.
Here is the link to my blog entry about it:http://knittingnatty.typepad.com/knittingnatty/2006/08/how_do_you_guys.html

I will be checking in with you all for the help I'll undoubtedly need as I go along...

After getting deeply bogged down in the 5th repeat of chart 1 , I'm finally done and have already ripped back 4 rows of chart 2 .
I have no idea whatI did that went so badly wrong but here's hoping it doesnt't happen again !
Thinking it was the early morning (woke at t 3am and couldn't return to sleep ) tha tinduced a knitting fog ..of sorts !

I'm finally starting to make some progress; the white line represents the completion of the first repeat. I'm trying not to think about how much knitting is left, but just keep knitting.

On a break...

Literally.

As in, the doctor thinks I might have broken my hand. Specifically one of the bones that helps the pinkie of my yarn holding hand work. Specifically, the pinkie that holds the yarn when I knit or crochet.

So, I'm on a break for a while. All puns intended.

I had fallen about two and a half weeks ago, almost three, and thought I had only sprained the wrists or maybe broken a scaphoid. Okay, that takes a few weeks to heal. But since I'm very pregnant, healing is going to take longer. I have 6 weeks to heal up before I can start expecting Bitty's arrival. The scaphoids came back negative. So did the wrist. But when my doc examined my hand today, I just about jumped out of my chair when he pressed one spot. So he suspects a fracture because the finger is still numb and it isn't getting any better.

*sigh*

And I wanted to get Iky done before I had Bitty...

So, up early in the morning - to knitting I go. It's really slow now - with almost 30 minutes per row. Yup - almost 30 minutes per row. Not that I'm a slow knitter - I just want to make sure that I don't goof up. Here's a shot (in natural light) of Chart two being complete:

The garnet colour is closer in this photo - however that carpet is a mid-carmel colour... it's hard to get the colour exactly right.

After supper - and yes it's about 30 minutes per row... I'm about to start row 12 of Chart three. I think the last 30 rows are going to take me a week to complete! That's not too bad - makes about three weeks to do a shawl. I'll have to go and investigate blocking wires...

Here's the overexposed picture - but you can sure see the feathers developing!

All Strings Considered



When I got the Interweave Knits magazine in June I looked longingly at Icarus and thought, "I'll never be able to make that." Then I started following this KAL and found my own courage in all of yours. I cast it on at the end of July using a buttery soft rusty red 100% alpaca laceweight I purchased from Birgitta Nostring of All Strings Considered. I am knitting fearlessly now, bolstered up by others' tales of lifelines and frogging as well as their triumphant thrills of accomplishment when the feathers emerge. The internet is a wonderful thing!

pattipurls
http://www.pattipurls.blogspot.com

Had to frog back 7 rows to my lifeline last night. My own stupidity, but thank goodness I was able to recover nicely. I am doing an extra repeat of Chart 1 because I love larger shawls. Using KP Shadow in Oregon Coast. I am so relieved that I was able to recover because I couldn't have lived with my mistakes. Everyone's shawls are so lovely!
Happy Knitting!
Sue J.

I need some support!


So I am in chart 2. I had to frog back to the last bit of chart one to fix a mistake I made and now I am just messing up all over the place. Somehow I ended up doing the k2tog of the k2tog yf k1 ssk part 2 sts before I should have and I created another hole. I tried to fix it and well I just f%^$ed it up more. Gah. It's just a little bit of a hole, but I am just messing up all over the place. Now when I did my first row of chart 2 somehow I ended up missing two sts on one of the repeats.


I am thinking about just frogging back to the part where you repeat rows 19-34 of chart one and doing it right. But the froggin physically pains me.

Oiy.

Encouraging words please. I feel like I shall never leave chart 1 and I don't want this to be something I just stop knitting.

My first post here, though I've been working on Icarus for several weeks now. I am finally into the fifth repeat of chart one, but progress is very, very slow. I hate to work only part of a row, so I don't pick it up unless I'm fairly certain I can complete at least one whole row in a sitting.










I do love the pattern. It is easy enough to knit without being boring. As I am sure you have all encountered, the rows are a tad bit LONG. Can't wait until it's done!
I am using Alpaca With a Twist, Fino, 70% baby alpaca 30% silk, color #0098. It is beautiful to work with. It is light and airy but has a nice weight to it as well. Very enjoyable!

Just a few pictures of my finished Icarus:

Blocking really shows off the detail:


The yarn is Great Adirondack's Serino and the shawl used about 1200 yards. It's big and soft and beautiful and was a lot of fun to knit. I took it to my LYS today and the owner who sold me the yarn was impressed. I've already purchased Miriam's pattern for the Seraphim Shawl and am looking for the right yarn for that.

Hello. I've just joined the KAL and am excited to get started. I have my pattern and ordered the yarn a couple days ago. I'm anxious for it to arrive so I can get started. This will be my second lace piece I've knitted. The yarn I ordered is Lorna's Laces, Helen's Lace. It's a variegated blue colorway. Blue is my favorite color. I'm a little bit nervous about the variegated bit, but we'll see how it goes. Looking forward to seeing all your beautiful work.

Windy

http://featherfarm.typepad.com/feather_farm/

Icarus - starting to slow down

Hello, this will be my first post - crossposted to the Icarus knitalong.

I started a week ago with some Cashmere from Yarnforward in Ottawa. Garnet coloured.

I’m technically 1.5 repeats away from moving to chart two. Funny how it doesn’t seem that it will be “big enough” :) It’s also taking longer to do a row (I’m close to 300 stitches)

Icarus - close to the end of chart one



I’m looking forward to going onto the next chart. There are so many beautiful shawls on this site!

Finally figured out what to do after the first 42 rows of chart 1!

I like to understand things completely. With Icarus being my first Lace project other than a scarf, I was in need of lace pattern directions broken down into quarks and atoms before pressing forward.

Directions say: Repeat rows 19-42 of chart 1 five more times for 342 sts. See Notes for how to adjust size at this point.
Notes say: For larger or smaller shawl, work rows 19-42 of chart 1 more or fewer times before finishing chart 1 by working rows 19-34.

Whut? Uber confusing.
Ok, I get that this sentence is to describe that increasing accordingly will make the shawl longer and wider, but how exactly to increase? According to these directions... had me a boggled.

Having already invested 42 rows (with some additional tortureous rows of ripping back and reknitting to deal with dropped sts), it was time to sit down with pencil and paper and take a closer look at the pattern.

Addition of another section for clarity would have helped me here. Something like, "for each of these five repeats, DOUBLE the two 12 sts pattern repeats at the odd numbered rows" so that:

At the end of the first section of rows 18-42 repeat, adding in two repeats of the pattern box you should then have:
2 pattern box repeats = 24 sts on each side of the center, 48 sts added, 151 sts
4 pattern box repeats = 48 sts on each side of the center, 96 sts added, 199 sts
6 pattern box repeats = 72 sts on each side of the center, 144 sts added, 247 sts
8 pattern box repeats = 96 sts on each side of the center, 192 sts added, 295 sts
10 pattern box repeats = 120 sts on each side of the center, 240 sts added, 343 sts

Having the pattern broken down this way allowed me to see how exactly I didn't need to follow along and end up with 343, how I could still go on to futz with the numbers of pattern box repeats in my way, and still keep the shawl shaping.

I hope this helps out someone else out stuck in the same spot.

"Giving one pair to his son, he cautioned him that flying too near the sun would cause the wax to melt."...

Should have read

"Placing one shawl in the washing machine to spin out the water, she should have been warned it would cause the wool to felt."

I now have a very slightly felted Icarus Shawl. I'm rather upset, but I did it myself so I can't blame anyone but my stupidity. I now have a rather warmer version of the shawl. It didn't seem to shrink at all. It just lost some stitch definition. I used some Knitpicks Dye-Your-Own yarn, and size 2 needles. The fabric was quite dense to begin with for me, also.

Here's the whole thing. It's rather large. My rug was barely large enough.

Close up detail. You can see the slight color change from where I had to dye new yarn.

Today is about Knitting and Not Blogging.

Next to last day of vacation.

Yoga this morning, lunch with a friend, and two one-act plays by Pinter and Albee tonight. I hope that Lollapalooza traffic does not result in hours trying to get into the city. I usually like to drive, but this time I'm sitting in the passenger seat and working on Icarus in order to distract myself from the bumper-to-bumper Friday night rush hour.

I'd take the train, which I love to do. But the theater is on the other side of the city, and so far, we have not become quite urban enough to take the train and then take a cab to our destination.

Finished!




Click here for a few more pictures.

Thanks so much for this KAL. It was nice to have all this support and encouragement!

What the heck is wrong with me?

I am in chart 2 (woohoo!) and for some reason I missed a YO 2 rows down. I tried fixing it without tinking back. But I am thinking I am going to have to.

I am so pissed. Because it doesnt look right now with the itty bitty mistake in it. Plus i will know it is there.

How the hell do you fix a missed YO? I lost like 2 stitches there!

I took Helen's advice and did a swatch, after completing two rounds of Chart 1. And yes, I have been knitting too tightly.

So here's my progress, after switching to a size 4 needle. It's much easier to knit; the stockinette parts look prettier, even before blocking; and I'm moving faster through the charts.

Today it was over 100 degrees in Chicago, heat index of 110. Good weather for staying indoors and knitting. Even my dog didn't want to be outside.

Icarus is done but for the blocking. I finished the knitting sometime last night. The cast off was fun (I'd never done this one before) but took a lot longer than I thought it would. I ended up adding beads to the patterned areas and along the cast off edge. Hopefully they will show after blocking. Right now they are hidden.

I hope to block this within the next few days and will post pictures of the finished shawl. In the meantime, I started the Swallowtail Shawl from the new Interweave. It's a breeze after the long rows of Icarus.

Well... after an ill-advised tryst with the Mystery Stole, I've returned to Icarus. I'd forgotten how soft and light the Misti Alpaca is, and I'm feeling bad that I cheated on her...

Anyhow... I'm nearly done with chart two. I keep forgetting to knit the stitches on the purl back row, so that's making the pattern rows that much harder as I fix those mistakes. But she's coming along nicely. No pictures right now cause she's still in fuzzy lump stage, but I figure after chart three more lace should be visible.

Back to Icarus and going much better the second time around.

Yarn: KnitPicks laceweight, handdyed with Koolaid
Needle: size 3 circular
Pattern: Icarus, Interweave Knits, Summer 2006
Designer: Miriam Felton

I've been working on More than Circular, but didn't want to take it with me when I went away last week because of its size and difficulty. So I decided to give Icarus another try. This time it is making much more sense. Seven stitches between pattern areas, yarnovers after the edge stitches and on either side of the center stitch, and slowly building up the sides until you have enough stitches to start the next chart.

I've made two mistakes but am going to live with them.

Two questions - hope you can help:
Do you think I should be using a larger needle (say a 4 or 5)? This is the smallest needle and the finest yarn I've worked with till now. Will the shawl open up when I block it, especially in the knit sections? Right now it looks a bit tight to me.

And do you know if there's a way to spread your pictures through your blog entry instead of sticking them all at the top?

Thanks.

So I was thinking about adding extra repeats to the shawl, but then I thought of something else.

I wonder if I could do it in the feathers? Like repeat Chart two 2 times instead of 1. I wonder how that would work.

Anyone think it wouldn't work? Or have tried it and it worked?

Because I am finally out of the chart 1 repeat woods!!!!!!! YAY~

Hello everyone! I just finished the first Chart One repeat, and the pattern says to now repeat rows 19-42 five times. But when I was knitting row 19, I noticed I have a lot more stitches in that row now than when I did the first time I knit it due to increasing all the way to row 42.

Does that make sense? Am I just misunderstanding something?

I've sat and dreamed about this shawl since I saw the pattern , months ago . I couldn't help but cast on a fortnight ago when I saw there was KAL.
I'm using handpainted yarns ( 'brown berries' merino laceweight ) on 3.75 mm needles (think that's US #5 ) .
I swatched using #3's and #4's but preferred the 'knit' from the #5's .
I'm 1/2 way through the 4th repeat in the first chart . (there is light at the end of the stockingette tunnel!) and looking forward to starting the feather charts ... hopefully next week !

Hello there! I've finally started. I'm using Pink Frost Merino laceweight from handpaintedyarn.com and size 4 needles. I have completed chart 1 and placed a lifeline. This is my first big lace project, so I think I'm pretty cool right now!!! Only time will tell...

I'm out of yarn. I've stopped with a few yards left at the end of chart 3. As I mentioned in my last post, I'm using hand dyed yarn from knitpicks. Of course I didn't dye more than 880 yards since that's the size of a skein and the sample in the magazine took less than that. My gauge must have worked its way off a bit.

So, this weekend, I'm going to attempt to overdye some more of the same yarn that is currently light turquoise. I really hope I can get it close to the same color.

If it does turn out different, have some of you had to (or chosen to) switch yarns at chart 4 by chance? I'm curious if it might end up looking somewhat as if it were on purpose if it is a bit different. That might be too much to hope though. If it really won't work, I believe I shall have to rip it back to the end of the first chart and do one less repeat of it and redo the edgings.

I had no other choice. I had to rip.

Yes, that is my puny Icarus there, ripped back to the end of the first chart repeat. I made a mistake pretty early on (as you can see) but didn't notice it until later. (I am reminded of the need check my work continuously.) I tried to convince myself that it wasn't too noticeable, that I could live with it being off. But, I really couldn't. It had to go. You can read all about the ripping on my blog, if you are so inclined. I had help. Emotionally and literally, I needed it. :) It wasn't pretty at first, but I feel much better now, revived, and ready to get back into it. Wish me luck!

After nearly pawing this yarn to death, I gave in and bought it with the intention of finishing 6 other things before starting Icarus. Well, I couldn't stop pawing the yarn once I got it home. I'm now on my third day and about 125 rows in and it looks like this:The yarn is Great Adirondack's Serino in the tourmaline coloroway. It's 50% wool 50% silk. I'm getting a nice fabric from it, not too firm or too mushy. The richness of the colors is worth the cost and time I'm putting into it.

I'm pacing myself now that the rows are so long. I find I need to take breaks every 3 or 4 rows. I have 5 hour stint in the car on Sunday and this will work out well unless I get to Chart 2 by then.

Once again I had to frog and start over on my shawl. I really don't know what is wrong with me. But like I have said before, I am not giving up.

Especially when I see all the beautiful shawls everyone is doing. I just have to have one too. Thanks for all the pictures everyone has been showing, it gives me the desire to keep going.

Here's a photo of my in-progress Icarus. This is my first post here, and I just started last Monday. I'm in the middle of my 5th repeat of chart 1, so I'm finally getting close to the fun lacy part!

I'm using Knitpicks dye-your-own laceweight. I was trying for a deep red, but wasn't able to get it as dark as I wanted, so I ended up switching to a deep purple.

I really hope I have enough yarn! It's looking OK so far, but I'm always nervous in situations like this where it would be impossible to just get another ball of yarn.

My apologies for the shadow on the photo. It's over 37 degrees out there and I have no desire to step out in it to get unobstructed sunlight :)

Finished!!

(cross-posted on my blog)

I finished Sunday afternoon.



As I've said before, this was my first lace project. This was also the first time I've used blocking wires. I got a set at my LYS Y2Knit. I had heard people talking about how expensive blocking wires can be so I was a little apprehensive but they were only $25 for a complete set.



Susan, the owner, and I looked at my remaining yarn while I was there and she estimated that I wouldn't have enough to finish. She gave me another ball and told me to bring back what I didn't use. I ran out a little over half-way through the bind-off. I did a combination of the a spit and a russian join. It held during the blocking without any trouble so I think it will be fine.



I didn't have to stretch it to get to 72" wide and 36" down the center. It was plenty big. There are a few mistakes and twisted stitches but all-in-all I am very, very happy. Thanks to you, Miriam for creating this beautiful pattern and thanks to all the knitters in this KAL for all their advice and encouragement.

Info:
Icarus Shawl
Pattern by Miriam Felton
Published in Interweave Knits - Summer 2006
Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr 50% merino/50% silk, approx. 980 yds.
Started: May 21, 2006
Finished: July 16, 2006

Editted to add:
Thanks for all the nice comments! I really enjoyed knitting this, my first lace project.

I am about half way through with chart 3 and loving knitting this part!

I am continually amazed at how even complicated knitting seems so inherently logical and regular (even when I make mistake after mistake...).

I'm off to visit family tomorrow and trying decide if I should make myself sick by knitting such tiny yarn on such tiny needles in the car while also trying to read the pattern. I hope I can resist and do some big plain knitting.

But Icarus will go with me to knit at my destination--and I'm thinking about taking my blocking wires so I can wear it out to dinner later in the week!

favor?

i am just starting my 4th repeat of chat 1. can someone measure their work up to tht point for me i am think about ripping it out and going on larger needles

Come To The Conclusion

After much thought and frogging, also working on the Mystery Stole… That my problem is, that I am not using enough stitch markers. The Mystery Stole has taught me this. Therefore, as soon as I can make it to Wally Mart, (or Wal-Mart) I am going to get some more rings, as I have the charms, some nice cows and horses to go with my sheep. I will once more take on the Mighty Icarus Shawl.

I shall be stubborn no more, I will admit that I need stitch markers, and life lines.

Thank you, for listening,
MaryAnn

Hmmm, weird.


I am using handpaintedyarns merino laceweight wool for my icarus on no.2 US needles. Last night I just started my 3 repeat of the first chart and I am concerned. It looks a bit small. There is really no length to it yet, maybe about 8 inches when stretched, but it is getting wider. When does the real length come in? Everyone elses looks longer than mine, could I be using to small of needles? Would I probably have to add another repeat of the chart ( I have a ton of wool to do it with)?

Hmmm.

The process
My Icarus is growing. The journey is slow, but steady, and I'm finding myself learning a lot along the way. Since this is my first lace project, I am learning about lace - and shawl - construction. How stitches work together to create beautiful designs. I'm also learning how to spot mistakes and how to go about trying to fix them. I am learning to be patient. To slow down. Normally I would dive in and try to figure it all out on my own, but if there's one thing about me, I know my limitations. I learned early on that I need to take it slow and be cautious. I am not at all above relying on many stitch markers and frequent lifelines. I've come to realize that this project, more than just being a pretty shawl for me to wear eventually, is really much more about the process. So, the shawl continues to grow, and I continue to learn.

W00T! I finished knitting last night on the second of four hours in the car. It looks... well, scrunchy, but we all knew that.

The yarn situation was just ridiculous... I got practically to the end and was holding my breath, but 1/4 of the bindoff took about 1/2 the yarn I had left for that row. I tried to think of another bindoff I could use, but I could tell that this one was really what made the edge so nice and flexible. I was visiting a friend who let me stash dive a little, so first I tried some leftover Shetland. It was lime green and contrasted nicely, but was a bit too bold. So I ripped out again and picked up some Gems Pearl in what was probably Aqua before heading on the road. Pearl has more sheen and a more defined ply, and it's obviously not handpainted like the rest of the shawl. Still, the color match with the dominant shade of the handpaint is amazing, and I think it looks great. Throwing out a wild guess, i'd say it probably took 10 meters or so, and Ibought two skeins, so I'll think of some other project to use up the rest of it.

Now to the ends, the blocking and the pictures. (And the inevitable must-find-new-project letdown.)

Aloha everybody! I started Icarus on July 4th using Rowan Kidsilk Haze, but have been lurking on this KAL while I finished the Lotus Blossom Tank. I only have 3 229 yrd balls of haze, so I shall be short on yardage. I am using size 5 needles (because I am a tight knitter, short on yards, and have no size 3 needles of that length), and the Excel file shawl calculator found on this KAL. Is anyone else using this yarn? I have followed those of you who are shortening the repeats, but so far it seems people are using even more yardage then the pattern calls for?
I am also a new lace knitter (and look forward to one day displaying Kate A.'s awesome lace virginity button!) and am glued to the chart and threading lifelines every 24 rows or so. Thank you to all of you iritated froggers who insist we thread lifelines and watch the lost yarn-overs. Your pain is instructing us all and informing our lace. Thanks for having me along!
Kel

Yesterday I started the Icarus using Pacifica Zephyr from FurrYarns. I really love the way this yarn knits up. It's my absolute favorite.

This will be a birthday gift for my mother. She picked out the colour herself and I picked out the pattern. She doesn't really like a lot of lace so this is a really nice pattern for her.

I'm hoping this KAL will help keep me knitting till I reach the leaf pattern because there isn't much going on for most of the shawl. It is a really great pattern for me to take along on errands though since it's easy to put down no matter where I am in a row. It also helps that the yarn is a hand paint as the changes in colour keep it interesting.

I love seeing all the finished Icarus' here as it really inspires me to keep plugging away!

GAHHHHH!


So I am in the second repeat of icarus.

I swear, I knit 3 rows, rip out 5. for some reason I can not find where I lost 2 sts in the middle section of the damn shawl.

I was at k8 YO k1 YO k8 well somehow I got k6 YO k8. I tried to drop the sts and find it and it made it worse and then i lost hte YO's 3 rows down. So now instead of frogging 2 rows I need to frog 4.

I am so pissed its making me want to frog the whole thing.

OFF TO THE LACE!

I posted this morning to my blog about my progress on Icarus, and after a morning at a children's concert, I am actually at the end of the first chart (but not knitting one repeat). Yippee! General excitement around here. I hope to get some time this evening to get started on the lace edging!

I gave my sister the shawl this yesterday and she loved it!!!! Good luck to everyone not done yet, and have fun with it. I'm sure I'll be knitting another one for myself soon!!

Had to frog four rows today, and no lifeline in place! But I was able to pick up the stitches anyway. Whew! Saved! Too close for comfort. In goes the lifeline on the next row. I have finished three sections of chart 1, rows 19-42, and Icarus is looking good! But this scare really shook me up. Oh well, lesson learned.
Sue J.

What the hell?

So I am plugging away at the shawl and this crap happens! This is after frogging 10 rows because of a missed YO. Wtf did Kristen do? I have no clue. I tried to fix it by dropping the stitch and fixing it, well I just made this nice big hole. Remind me to never try and fix a YO, just frog.

Ohh and PUT IN A DAMN LIFELINE!

Ohh and the section right before the middle, yeah I ended up with an extra stitch some how.
Aggggh.

I give. I've abandoned Icarus for now and started on More than Circular from Knitter's Magazine Best Shawl and Scarves book. I've finally gotten the hang of starting a circular shawl on double points. Well, that is, after at least six separate tries, and at least two efforts to cheat by doing several rows on one needle and then trying to turn it into a circle. It is looking beautiful; I'm really pleased by how the handdyed bamboo works with the pattern.

Back to Icarus another day, with a different yarn.

I made up a button:

Because I'm pretty proud of having (most unexpectedly) successfully completed the Icarus, which was my first real lace project. The Icarus seems to be a first lace project for many, so feel free to put the button on your blog, too - just right-click on the image and choose "Save Picture As..." to save it to your own harddrive. Or make up your own with your own shawl in the background...

-Kate A.

I'm making real progress

I've finished chart 3, row 6. I can't believe I've come this far. I am hoping to finish this week and have devoted myself to this project. I've knitted most of the day Sunday and Monday and plan to begin again as soon as I eat something. I have to go back to work tomorrow but I have my evenings free. I love the way the pattern is working out. It's almost like magic!

Had to Frog It Again

Well, I had to frog mine and start over once again. Even with the life line. I am beginning to think it is cursed or something. But I am not giving up. It is either me or the Icarus, and I believe it will be me!

Okay, stepping off of my soapbox now.

I really like the pattern and no matter what, I plan to finish it, thanks for listening to me rant.

Not much knitting going on here. I find that I really have to concentrate on knitting lace, and I've been too beat at night after work to spare the brain power. I am, in the meantime, trying to design a case for my Ipod. I found a few patterns on line, but am envisioning something with cables and bobbles - or something felted, so that I can cut an opening out for the screen and wheel. But really, I just can't seem to commit. I've started three times with three different yarns, and keep ripping it out and trying again.
What is relaxing but odd: Dead Like Me on DVD from Netflix. Yeah Netflix!

Has anyone here made a smaller shawl using 1 less repeat of Chart A? I'm thinking about it--and have to commit in just a few rows!--but would love to hear any experiences you've had. Thanks!

The Purloined Letter

Hello, I'm a newbie to this KAL. It's wonderful to see everyone's progress on the shawl.

I'm not sure what repeat I'm on now, but since taking this picture, there are 180+ stitches on my needles. I'm loving this pattern so far and anxious to get beyond chart 1. The yarn I'm using is a mystery yarn from a spool that I picked up at a local thrift shop.
 

Another update

I had finished Chart 1 start and was working on Chart 1 repeat 1 and was on "row 25" when I had realized I had made a mistake in the previous knit row. So I had to frog back to my last purl and fix it. Now I've done that row and row 27. I'd do more but my hands aren't working tonight.

Still way too hot here... I need A/C and fast!

Icarus 7-1-06

Icarus 7-1-06
Originally uploaded by Inky Knits.

Making progress, plodding along with the repeat section. I am not in love with this yarn, but I think the finished product will be light and wearable. Because I'm not loving the yarn I tend to work on this only when really in the mood, so I think I'll be plodding along for a long time, especially since I intend to add at least 1, if not 2 repeats.

Edited to add: Kristen asked--what kind of yarn are you using?

I am using FaRe Baruffa Cashwool, which is, according to the label, 100% Extra Fine Merinos. The yarn is Italian. This yarn was a gift from my Secret Pal 7, so I have no idea where she got it, and I can't find too much about it on-line. It's very soft, a beautiful color, a very sproing-y wool (that is SO a word!), and so fine. I did knit 4 rows yesterday, and plan to do a few more today when I find some peace and quiet. Oh, and I'm using US 3 grey Inox needles. Thanks for asking, Kristen!!

First Post from a *scared* new to lace knitter. Hi all and hello to Opal. I have not started yet. I turned my hanks of floss into balls so almost ready to go. Just have to read the pattern thru again and get some things straight in my head. Wool: Knitpicks Gossamer in Sunrise. Very pretty pinks, lilacs and pale blue blend (here's how they describe it).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Content: 100% Merino Wool
Amount: 440 yards/50 gram hank
Gauge: Lace Weight Our filmy hand-dyed Merino lace yarn catches light and reflects back brilliant colors. Lace weight (2/16) - hand wash

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It's the finest wool I will ever have worked with and it's wool, not acrylic...yikes. Hoping the fibres will stay together and not fly off and attack my nose. Thanks for having me :) Claire
http://claireej.multiply.com