Dreaming of Winter

It began with the simple charm of our winter visitors.
And had a slight hiccup along the way...
And oh...was it ever worth every stitch!

Pattern: Near Solstice by Bridget Rorem

Schoolhouse Press

Yarn: Jaggerspun Zephyr silk and merino laceweight, 5.9 oz.

Needles: Addi Turbo, US 0, 2.0mm

Time to knit: January 1 - September 10, 2010

Mods: I did my regular knit-on/lace cast on edge instead of the provisional cast-on used in the pattern. I just could not imagine having to go back in and do the sewn bind off recommended, and this one is every bit as stretchy and strong. (And takes considerably less time!)

My Thoughts: This was a wonderful knit. I've already spoken about how much I loved working on the pattern - the quiet, contemplative garter and the amusing bird tracks which added just enough of that extra spark to keep it interesting. It turned out to be the perfect balm for a sometimes troubled heart this summer, and I will always treasure the finished piece.

I know there is a mathematical formula out there for determining the total number of items in a sequence - such as the number of stitches in a shawl that decreases two stitches every other row. At one point during this process, I wanted to find that formula because I was burning with curiosity. After all, we started out with 599 stitches! However, I no longer care or need to know. In fact, I think I might be rather shocked if I actually knew how many stitches and how much time went into this project. As is, I enjoyed it thoroughly and value the time spent on every stitch.

My only concern is that the yarn will yellow. I did a store sample with this exact cone some years ago (which is why I ended up buying the almost-full cone when I was finished!). It is absolutely lovely to work with and produces a fantastic fabric that has beautiful drape and holds excellent stitch definition. But. The store sample yellowed atrociously, and I'm afraid this will too. The cone already bares some signs of it, and I'm not at all sure what to do to protect both it and the shawl. Thoughts and ideas?

I doubt this one will ever be worn...but I suspect it will end up hanging on a wall somewhere in my home. It is a true work of art, and deserves to be on display and appreciated!