Rapunzel and Rapunzel Redux - Clue 8

Clue 8 came out this morning, so first up a picture of my test knit.

And my Redux version.

I'm working the final 4 clues (7-10) without skipping anything because of the way the motifs play out.  The only modification I have to make at this point is getting rid of one stitch after the first yarn over and one stitch before the last yarn over on the wing charts.  In knitCompanion I color those stitches gray, and use the row number to search on to set up the new stitch in magic markers, then I can just pick what I want, and not have to screw up any of my other magic markers.  Once I color those stitches gray I de-select the original stitches and make any other modifications necessary to make everything work out.

Right wing chart 8 modifications:
Row 219: the removal of the stitch before the last yarn over results in 2 yarn overs next to each other, so I replaced the final k2tog, yo with k2.
Row 225: the removal of the stitch before the last yarn over results in the removal of a ssk, so I replaced the yo that goes with that ssk with k1.
Row 229: the removal of the stitch after the first yarn over results in 2 yarn overs next to each other, so I replaced that first yo, ssk with k2.
Row 231: the removal of the stitch after the first yarn over results in 2 yarn overs next to each other, so I replaced that first yo, ssk with k2.
Row 233: the removal of the stitch after the first yarn over results in 2 yarn overs next to each other, so I replaced both of the yo, ssk with k4. I didn’t want that lone yo, ssk hanging out there. This also makes the starting and ending motifs more symmetrical.

Left wing chart 8 modifications:
Row 219: the removal of the stitch after the first yarn over results in 2 yarn overs next to each other, so I replaced the first yo, ssk with k2.
Row 225: the removal of the stitch after the first yarn over results in the removal of a k2tog, so I replaced the yo that goes with that k2tog with k1.
Row 229: the removal of the stitch before the last yarn over results in 2 yarn overs next to each other, so I replaced that last k2tog, yo with k2.
Row 231: the removal of the stitch before the last yarn over results in 2 yarn overs next to each other, so I replaced that last k2tog, yo with k2.
Row 233: the removal of the stitch before the last yarn over results in 2 yarn overs next to each other, so I replaced both of the k2tog, yo with k4. I didn’t want that lone k2tog, yo hanging out there. This also makes the starting and ending motifs more symmetrical.

Pattern:  Rapunzel Shawl by Janine Le Cras
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Eos
Needles:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Beach Party Shrug - One Stripe Done

Of course, finishing up the Blueberry Fields Shrug meant that I could start working the next shrug in the queue, the Beach Party Shrug.  I pulled out the remaining skeins and caked them up, weighed them and then divided them in two (that way I don't have to worry about using more than half on one side and running short on the other).

On this set I decided to start with the darkest skein and work to the lightest.

Pattern:  Traveling Zebra Shrug by Carolyn Blakelock
Yarn:  Biscotte & Cie Bis-sock
Needles:  US 2.5 (3 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)

Blueberry Fields Shrug - Finished!

I finished up my Blueberry Fields Shrug on Sunday and left it blocking while I went on travel, sure that it would be dry when I returned.  This one was a challenge with the colors (the blues didn't really play well together), so I ended up alternating the blues and greens, but I'm happy with how it turned out.  The colors are fun.

Pattern:  Traveling Zebra Shrug by Carolyn Blakelock
Yarn:  Biscotte & Cie Bis-sock
Needles:  US 2.5 (3 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)

Beluga Shrug - Cast On

I knew when I was packing for my trip this past week that I would easily finish up the Bed of Roses center panel, so I pulled another Paintbox set out of my stash and caked up a skein to throw in my project bag.  This is the Beluga set, and I went with the cobalt skein for the center panel.  I cast on while sitting in the exit row on the flight from Dallas Texas to Tucson Arizona - my destination for the week.  I didn't get a whole lot done, just enough to show off the lovely color

My stash of Paintbox sets is running very low - I only have one more left.  I do have three other Biscottie kits, and plenty of self-striping skeins that I can turn in to socks, but these shrugs make such great mindless knitting projects, and they are fun to make and wear.

Pattern:  Traveling Zebra Shrug by Carolyn Blakelock
Yarn:  Biscotte & Cie Bis-sock
Needles:  US 2.5 (3 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)

Bed of Roses Shrug - Center Panel Done

Once I finished up the center panel of the Beach Party Shrug, I pulled another Paintbox set out of my stash and started another center panel.  This set is called Bed of Roses.  I started knitting on the center panel mid-June, and finally finished it up last week on a plane ride from Richmond, Virginia to Dallas Texas.

When I work the other colors I will go from lightest to darkest.

Pattern:  Traveling Zebra Shrug by Carolyn Blakelock
Yarn:  Biscotte & Cie Bis-sock
Needles:  US 2.5 (3 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)

Rapunzel Redux - Clue 7

Apparently I forgot to take a picture of clue 7 when I was working my test knit.  The pictures in my folder go from Rapunzel 6 to Rapunzel 8.  No Rapunzel 7.  Fortunately, there is not much difference between the original and my Redux version.  Now, on to the modifications.

I only knit 4 rows of the clue 6 wing charts, so now I have to line things up for the clue 7 wing charts.

To get the motifs to line up correctly it is important to note that, on the right side wing, the yarn over of the first (k2tog, yo) lines up with the center of the 3 stitches between the (k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk) of the previous row, and that the k2tog uses the first 2 stitches of that k3. If you count that out on your knitting you will find that you have 1 fewer stitch than the original pattern calls for at the beginning of the row. If you go to the end of the wing and count you will find that you also have 1 fewer stitch at the end of the row.

The easiest thing to do to make the modification is to just get rid of one stitch at the beginning (after the k2, yo) and one stitch at the end (before the final yo) of each wing chart row. I just colored those stitches gray in knitCompanion, as a “no stitch”.  If you're working from paper charts, you can just color those stitches in with a pencil.  If you’re working from the written, you can simply reduce the number of knit stitches at the beginning and end of the wing charts by 1.  Simple edits.

Once you do that, you need to look at the pattern and see if you need to change anything else. For this chart, the only thing that needs changing is at the end of row 115 on the right side wing chart, and the beginning of row 115 on the left side wing chart. When you delete that knit stitch you end up with 2 yarn overs right next to each other - which I just do not want to deal with. But, if I don’t work that yarn over, I also have to not work the decrease that goes with it. I will just knit those stitches.
That means that for row 115 I will end the right side wing chart k4, yo and begin the left side wing chart yo, k4.

Don’t forget to keep working the center charts without skipping any rows or charts. The modifications only apply to the wing charts.

Pattern:  Rapunzel Shawl by Janine Le Cras
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Eos
Needles:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Rapunzel and Rapunzel Redux - Clue 6

Clue 6 of Rapunzel came out this past Friday.  Above is a picture of my test knit.  For my Rapunzel Redux version I wanted to skip most of clue 6, but I couldn't skip all of it because I needed to make sure I was set up for working clue 7.  If you look at the wing charts for clue 6, you can see that rows 173 and 195 have the same motif, so I worked rows 171-174 of the wing charts, along with the first 2 rows of the center chart from clue 5.  The modifications to the wing charts were very straight forward. I still have 2 extra stitches at the beginning and end of each of the wing chart rows, so I just inserted those 2 stitches into the pattern.

Right wing chart 6 modifications:
Row 171: k2, yo, k4, continue pattern as established, end k5, yo
Row 173: k2, yo, k6, continue pattern as established, end k7, yo

Left wing chart 6 modifications:
Row 171: yo, k5, continue pattern as established, end k4, yo, k2
Row 173: yo, k7, continue pattern as established, end k6, yo, k2

Pattern:  Rapunzel Shawl by Janine Le Cras
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Eos
Needles:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Blueberry Fields Shrug - One Side Done

I've been busy working on knitting projects that I can't post pictures of lately.  I finished up one last night, a test knit of a new kit for Earthfaire.  It is currently blocking, and it is lovely.  Fortunately I am going to be able to keep the sample, I just need to send Ellen pictures.  I have two more test knits to complete - one for The Unique Sheep Mini Modern MKAL, and one for The Unique Sheep Christmas Club.  The latter one is also a sample that I will have to send to Laura when I'm done.  But I did find some time to finish up the first side of my Blueberry Fields Shrug.  I figured I needed a little break before I dive back into the test knitting.  I'll go ahead and get the second side going and work on this some more today.  I have a book I'm reading, and may even finish today, and this is perfect knitting for reading - except for the increase and the decrease row.

Pattern:  Traveling Zebra Shrug by Carolyn Blakelock
Yarn:  Biscotte & Cie Bis-sock
Needles:  US 2.5 (3 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)

Rapunzel and Rapunzel Redux - Clue 5

First a shot of the unmodified pattern.

Now, on to Rapunzel Redux.
When you are modifying a lace pattern there are two very important aspects to understand - there are horizontal repeats, dictated by how many stitches you have in your piece and how many stitches the motif requires and there are vertical repeats, dictated by how many rows the motif requires.  In modifying Rapunzel into Rapunzel Redux I am, obviously, affecting both.

As you may recall, I worked chart 1 and half of chart 2 before switching to chart 3.  This left me with only 5 repeats of the flower instead of 6 and only 103 stitches in each wing, instead of 121.  I already know that I'm going to have to shift the motif in the chart 5 wings in order to make everything line up.  I have two more stitches at the beginning and end of each row when I compare the last row of the chart 3 wings with the last row of the chart 4 wings.  If you look at row 147-153 of the chart 5 right side wing you will see that the final repeat of the motif butts up against the edge of the chart, similarly, on the chart 5 left side wing the first repeat of the motif butts up against the edge of the chart.  And, if you look at rows 155-169 the end of the chart 5 right side wing and the beginning of the chart 5 left side wing deviates from the established motif because there are not enough stitches in the original pattern to finish out that last repeat.  In fact, you would need two more stitches at that point in order to finish out that last repeat, which is exactly how many extra stitches I have.

There is one other slight adjustment I'm going to make.  On rows 149 and 163 the right side chart 5 wing starts out with k2, yo, k2, yo ssk and the left side chart 5 wing ends with k2tog, yo, k2, yo, k2. Because I have two extra stitches at the beginning and end I am going to extend that motif down into rows 147 and 161.

So here is how it works out when I make all of my modifications:
Chart 5 right side wing modifications:
Row 147: k2, yo, k2, ssk, yo, k7 - work pattern as set to last 4 stitches - end k3, yo
Row 149: k2, yo, k4 - work pattern as set to last 4 stitches - end k3, yo
Row 151: k2, yo, k6 - work pattern as set to last 4 stitches - end k3, yo
Row 153: k2, yo, k8 - work pattern as set to last 4 stitches - end k3, yo
Row 155: k2, yo, k10 - work pattern as set to last 5 stitches - end yo, sk2p, yo, k2, yo
Row 157: k2, yo, k9 - work pattern as set to last 5 stitches - end k2, yo, ssk, k1, yo
Row 159: k2, yo, k9 - work pattern as set to last 5 stitches - end k2, yo, ssk, k1, yo
Row 161: k2, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k5 - work pattern as set to last 5 stitches - end k2, yo, ssk, k1, yo
Row 163: k2, yo, k4 - work pattern as set to last 5 stitches - end k2, yo, ssk, k1, yo
Row 165: k2, yo, k6 - work pattern as set to last 5 stitches - end k2, yo, ssk, k1, yo
Row 169: k2, yo, k8 - work pattern as set to last 5 stitches - end k2tog, yo, k3, yo

Chart 5 left side wing modifications:
Row 147: yo, k3 - work pattern as set - end k7, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, k2
Row 149: yo, k3 - work pattern as set - end k4, yo, k2
Row 151: yo, k3 - work pattern as set - end k6, yo, k2
Row 153: yo, k3 - work pattern as set - end k8, yo, k2
Row 155: yo, k2, yo, sk2p, yo instead of yo, k2, k2tog, yo - work pattern as set - end k10, yo, k2
Row 157: yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, instead of yo, k1, k2tog, yo - continue pattern as set - end k9, yo, k2
Row 159: yo, k1, k2tog, k5 instead of yo, k1, k2tog, k3 - continue pattern as set - k9, yo, k2
Row 161: yo, k1, k2tog, k3, instead of yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 -continue pattern as set - end k5, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2
Row 163: yo, k1, k2tog, k3, instead of yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 - continue pattern as set - end k4, yo, k2
Row 165: yo, k1, k2tog, k3, instead of yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 - continue pattern as set - end k6, yo, k2
Row 167: yo, k1, k2tog, k3, instead of yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 - continue pattern as set - end k8, yo, k2
Row 169: yo, k3, yo, ssk, instead of yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 - continue pattern as set - end k8, yo, k2

And here is how it looks :
Right side wing:

Left side wing:

Pattern:  Rapunzel Shawl by Janine Le Cras
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Eos
Needles:  US 3 (3.25 mm)