First off, thanks for all the nice compliments on the Forest Canopy shawl. It’s reblocking as I write this, for a couple of reasons. I blocked it in a bit of a hurry, and it was a little wonky. I also soaked it in my favorite woolwash, Kookaburra Delicate, but was in such a hurry that I forgot to rinse it. I think it might have been OK to leave it, but I wasn’t certain, so I redid it and rinsed it this time. I also got a little more stretch in the process. The final size is about 74 inches across the top, and 35 inches from neck to tip.
I got a couple more questions about the blocking mats that I use. Every time I show these I get a request for info, so I should probably put the link in my sidebar. They are the interlocking foam mats that most people use in kids playrooms. I bought mine online, from Wonder Mat, and got 16 of the 2 foot squares, along with edge pieces. This makes a huge mat, way more than I need for most blocking, but I also use them when John’s grandkids come to visit. We just cover the floor downstairs and they can romp at will. The mats do show holes eventually, but that doesn’t bother me in the least.
Now it’s on to Langsjal Jóhönnu. Here’s how you do the diacritic marks, at least on a Mac. Type option-e, let it go, then the letter you want the accent mark on. For the umlaut, type option-u, then the letter. I think the option key has the same function as the alt key on a Windows keyboard, but a Windows expert would have to weigh in on this one.
Here’s a photo, very roughly pinned out to give you some idea of what LJ will look like:
I am using lifelines on this one, as it’s pretty easy to get off track on this and screw it up. There is no easy purl-back row on this, all 10 rows of the pattern repeat are full of yo’s and decreases.
Now to the “Uh,oh”. A while back, Fleegle was kind enough to post a link to a Chinese online shop selling ridiculously cheap cashmere and cashmere-silk lace yarn. Of course I jumped. It arrived this week. First of all, the service was perfect. I got a prompt confirmation with a note that the standard shipping takes about 30 days. It actually only took about 12 days for mine. I ordered the cashmere-silk, 1600 yards worth of a lovely pink.
Note the “clothing” (wink, wink) on the customs form. This didn’t fool my husband in the least. Neither did the little checkbox that says “gift”.
And just how fine is that yarn, you might ask?
That’s the green Zephyr I used for the Forest Canopy shawl. The pink stuff is 800 yards per 50 grams, and the straight cashmere they sell, at 500 yards per 50 grams, is probably a little more like a real laceweight than sewing thread. Their regular price for both varieties is $9.99, and some of the colors are on sale for $6.99. You could get a damn big shawl for cheap with this stuff. Go buy some, so I don’t feel silly buying pink cobwebs from China. I do have an idea for what this might be someday, but I’m keeping it under my hat for now.
Is that ever thin yarn. Do you have a project in mind for it?
For the folks who live on the East Coast, BJ’s Wholesale Club has mats like that for around $19 a set. I don’t know if you need to be a member to order from the web site, but here is the link: shop.bjs.com/Living-Home-Multicolor-2–39–x-2–39–Antifatigue-Reversible-Mats–8-pk–Front-Page_stcVVproductId10744404VVcatId428349VVviewprod.htm
These are black on the reverse side. I also sometimes use mine for blog photos.
1) Your shawl is lovely. 2) for those that are interested in similar mats, they sell a good substitute at Sam’s – 6 mats for $19.95. they work great.
thanks for sharing the yarn link!
Love your George Bush countdown!!!!
Wow that’s really thin yarn. I’d have to quadruple strand it!
Oh, LJ looks yummy!! Purple? Mmmm…
Yeah, I looked at that when Fleegle mentioned it and was seriously tempted! Just, you know, watch out . . . they don’t dye with lead paint, do they? (grin)
Oh, my. Now you’ve done it. I think I NEED Chinese wee thread.
Girl – let me try a “first” lace project with fingering weight yarn, before you try to thrust the cobweb weight stuff my way.
The color is gorgeous but yikes! that’s thin! I’d need quadrifocals for that, heh!
I just went through my lace yarn stash and I have 75,000 yds of lace weight yarn! No way I am buying more no matter how cheap or pretty it is! Like the pink!
pink cobwebs = grand joy. Glad it made it through all the necessary translation to get to you. It’s a lovely shade.
Pretty color, but that is some thin yarn! I bet it will make a beautiful shawl, though. And you could always double it.
Aaaah, sewing thread – not dissimilar to the Habu yarn I used for my scarf. 🙂
I wonder if they’ll ship to Australia?
Hmm…so husbands are not fooled by “clothing” on customs forms. Greater stealth is needed.
Thank you for sharing that! I have my eye on a shawl in many colors that would cost a zillion dollars buying the required yarn. I think for the most part, the husbands are wise to us 😉
That yarn is so fine – it almost looks like thread! Can’t wait to see what you create with it!
LOL! @ label on box not tricking hubby!
Nice yarn! :oD
Sewing thread, indeed. Yikes! That will be fun to control. I’d make sure there were purl rest rows with that one.
Yarn that thin scares me. I’m sure that whatever you knit up with it will be lovely!
Smart you. I should’ve used a lifeline on my current project.
Lovely stash aquisition,
Li
Wow that ‘yarn’ looks awesome! Love your shawl great work and looks lovely!
After seeing this, I just had to order some.
Like I need more yarn? 😉
You’re doing Joho too! I hope yours doesn’t meet the same fate as Margene’s. I can’t wait to see what it looks like in a solid color.