Encore - Finished!

I finished this up on Tuesday.  Even though I created a set of yarn usage tables to help with planning your yarn usage, I didn't use them.  This was one of those times where everything just worked out perfectly and I knew it would as I was knitting.  I was able to use my skein 5 of the gradiance as my main color for the rest of the garter stripes, working through skeins 1, 2 and 3 on the first two lace sections and the two smaller garter sections that divide the lace sections.  When I got to the final lace section I got a couple of rows out of skein 3 before I switched to skein 4.  I did another repeat of the lace (to use up more of skein 4) and then finished off with one garter stripe (two knit rows) before binding off with the Larkspur (my original main color).  I am really happy with how it turned out.  I have two more of these sets and am tempted to knit at least one more of these shawls.  I was thinking about using the gradiance set as the main color and the main color on the lace sections, but I really like the way this one came out.  I'll have to think about it.  Of course, I do have two sets...

Pattern:  Another Chance to Shine by Janine Le Cras
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Targhee Sock
Needle:  US 5 (3.75 mm)

Encore - On to the Lace

This morning I finished up the last of the big garter stitch sections.  There are nine of the garter stitch sections, alternating with the lace stripes.  When I got to the eighth garter stitch section I knew that I would not have enough of my main color to work it, so I striped that section with my gradiance skein.

This is the set that I'm using.  I used the first gradiance skein (left most) on the lace stripes, and got two stripes out of the garter stitch section from the first skein and then started using the second skein.  When I got to the ninth garter stitch section I started using skein 5 of the gradiance set for my main color.  I finished up skein 2 of the gadiance set in the ninth garter stitch section, so I'm starting the first lace section with skein 3.  My colors will converge as I get to the end of the shawl.

 Pattern:  Another Chance to Shine by Janine Le Cras
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Targhee Sock
Needle:  US 5 (3.75 mm)

Encore - Seven stripes done

This is actually a test knit for Another Chance to Shine by Janine Le Cras.  The pattern is intended to be used with leftovers, but I'm cheating and using a set that was created for Rosemary Hill's Harmonize Shawl.  I went up a needle size because my yarn is a bit on the heavier side of the fingering weight, and my yarn usage is higher as well.  Fortunately my yarn set is generous, but I will have to get a little creative from now on as I'm almost out of my main color.  Fortunately, getting creative with color is one of the things this shawl is about.  I put together yarn usage tables for the pattern to make it easier for knitters to plan their colors and yarn amounts.  There will be an informal knit along for the pattern in March.

Here is a close up of the lace stripes.  It is an unusual pattern (not hard to knit, but hard to chart, so we didn't), and creates a very neat stitch, with some cool texture that you don't get from the picture.  I am working the first stitch of each right side row with both of my colors to carry the unused color up the side.

Pattern:  Another Chance to Shine by Janine Le Cras
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Targhee Sock
Needle:  US 5 (3.75 mm)