This week I was finally able to put the finishing touches on my * favorite * ever crochet project. (I think that might actually be a true statement). Now presenting, my Garden Path Shawl!

The pattern is by LilyGo and it is great, well worth the $6. I worked exclusively from the diagrams, I am sure I would have pulled my hair out if there were none. It was really nice to have a challenging project…this one required a lot of focus and so I worked on it bit by bit. Generally, before dark. And yes, I had to go get my eyes checked due to working this pattern (they’re fine. I need to rest them!).  FYI. I used a size 3.0 mm hook and just one strand of Mountain Colors Winter Lace (love, love love!)–I ended up with just a bit left. The blocking is what really brought this shawl to life, and yes, the 359453 picots were totally worth it. If you are looking for a challenge, go for it! I think the key is to pace  yourself,  alternate between this one and a simple project, and don’t stress about finishing by a certain deadline.

I was working on this project at TNNA, where I met several knitwear designers including Cecily Glowik-Mcdonald (who has an awesome new book, New England Knits, check it out!) and Ysolda Teague. When I got home I decided it was time to cast on for a sweater, because, or so went my thinking, if I can knit a baby blanket, I can knit a sweater. I just so happened to have frogged most of my Market Bag (sorry, but I just wasn’t using it) and saw that one of Ysolda’s patterns, Liesl, was made with the very same yarn. So, crossing my fingers that I had enough- 4 skeins- to hopefully make at least a vest, I cast on for  my first knitted sweater. And six weeks later, here it is!

I did have to rip back a few times when I misplaced a yarn over or decrease, but luckily I have lots of experience with that through fixing other people’s projects at Yarnivore. I can still remember when I first started working at the Bozeman Yarn Shop… I would be so scared to rip back a customer’s work. Now I am a pro! I am very proud of this little vest. It’s a bit short, but I used all of my yarn, so there you go. I would make it again, too–it was quite enjoyable. I think I’ve finally come to realize that I actually need knitting patterns with lacework or stitch patterns of some sort, because stockinette is boring. I’m not sure why it took me that long to notice, but now I know. I’m already thinking about the next one.

Anyway. I am feeling extremely satisfied, and for a minute wondered what I would work on next. But when I got back from teaching my Crochet Layette Class this evening, there was a box of yarn waiting for me. I should really never worry about not having a project!