Blocked the latest shawl. This one is small - it is the original practice square, maybe described in the other thread. Anyway, as much as I enjoyed knitting the free-form lace (knitted on the diagonal with eyelet rows where ever they looked suitable), there is something to be said for geometric motifs with exact stitch counts. Once stretched, I found NINE dropped stitches. I have to wait for it to dry, and fix those before I can call this one finished. The blocking wires I have obviously weren't made for knitting. They have rough blunt ends, but they work. I plan to return the interlocking foam mat I bought for blocking. It was not only expensive, but has mfr flaws, and is really too small to block anything but a bandanna sized shawl, or sweater. BF suggested using the rigid foam insulation board from Lowes. He says it is four dollars a sheet, and I don't expect more than two sheets would be needed for even the most ambitiously sized shawls, and probably most knitted blankets. Otherwise, maybe Old School, like in the original photos, with four 8 foot 2X4's bolted together for a frame, and lots of string. I stretched the wires this time by simply using masking tape on a large quilting cutting mat.
It is pretty, and shows off the variegated shades of brown/grey Romney homespun beautifully, but I'll probably give it to BF as soon as it is completely dry, and I fix the dropped stitches (plain enough to work well for a man). I'm not attached, and he seems to like it more than I do. Ended up NOT knitting on a lace edging. Found a pretty one, and started it, but that piece just doesn't seem suited to a lacy edging. It looks *done* as it is.
What I learned was that I really DO like the diagonal square method. This came from a free "Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth" pattern (not sure if it was found on Ravelry...don't recall that it was). It is in garter, and you only have to remember pay attn. to specifics on the first few stitches of each row. I slipped the first stitch of every row to make a smooth edge, but the pattern doesn't call for it. You get an attractive eyelet edging along all four sides. CO 4 sts. Row 1: K4. Row 2: K1, K2 tog, YO, knit across row. You repeat Row 2 until the you have the diagonal size you want for your square (44 sts specified for the dishcloth). Row 3 begins the decreases: K1, K2 tog, YO, K2 tog, knit to end of row. Keep decreasing rows until you are down to 4 sts, and bind off. I really want to do another the same format with one of Barbara Walker's simple lace patterns for fill - cat's paws, elfin, something easy to count, like that. I HATE charts! She gives written instructions, and many of the prettiest aren't complex at all. Also, I can then add a pretty lace edging to the feminine square, like was intended all along.
), but by then I was out of money. He said he will keep them for me for later. Some Shetland is coming in the mail soon. e-bay. The seller's description warns of VM, but $20 per pound inc. shipping was do-able, and Etsy prices weren't, so we'll see if the discount makes the extra work worth it. 
