If this shawl looks familiar, it’s because I’ve already knitted it before, not too long ago. In fact, now that I’ve checked the previous post, I’d finished it less than a month before the second version.
My first Kindness Shawl 2018 KAL was made for a friend. At least in theory… because at the time of my annual meeting in Brussels I decided to take it with me. It was just a perfect match for my spring coat, better than anything in my wardrobe, and I knew I had another skein of identical yarn, so I decided just to keep the first version and re-knit it again after return. I actually took the yarn and needles with me, but the whole Brussels stay was so busy that I was in the hotel only to shower and catch some sleep – no time for anything else (seriously, 12 hours long work meetings, evening socializing because, after all, I only see my co-workers twice a year, and that Belgian beer is just too good!)! So I started knitting it as soon as I returned to Dublin.
I decided to knit it this time without any changes to the original pattern: no additional rows or lace section repeats. The result is that the shawl is visibly smaller (bonus: I was able to block it on my foam mat, while the first version was way too big), but also only has a tiny touch of red at the edge, instead of the larger section from the previous shawl. I think my friend is going to like it more this way than with a large red section. I’ve been considering getting rid of the red edging completely, but I think it livens up the shawl and gives it a unique character. At least I like it this way!
Interesting (well, for me at least…) observation: knitting a lace pattern for the second time is so much easier and faster! It was as if my mind and hands remembered the pattern and I didn’t have to stay too focused to work on it this time. I guess it’s that magic thing called muscle memory?
Now that the shawl is ready, I decided to have another go (after last year’s failed attempts) at some summer knits. It feels strange. I’m so not used to less stretchy, cotton or linen-based yarns! I still don’t know if I’m going to finish any of the planned summer projects successfully this time, but I will definitely write about it soon 🙂
I think the tinge of red at the bottom will be just the thing. I recall you saying your friend preferred to wear black (her and Neil Gaiman!). Just that little bit of “fade to red” will really pop against black. I hope she loves it — I know I would!
I’ve been getting back into knitting — finally finished a pair of fingerless mits that had been languishing for months. I really need to sort out my drawers full of WIPs — I really need to do a ruthless finish-it-or-frog-it “Marie Kondo.”
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I have Marie Kondo tendencies, I constantly feel that I have too much stuff and that also concerns scrap yarn or wips, so I just did a stash cleanup today! Good luck with your “Kondo-ing”!
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Lovely! I like both shawls, and I too think your friend might like the new shawl better. You’re right about muscle memory – I’ve not knit much at all this month, but I might have gotten used to the pattern so whenever I do knit a row or two, I don’t have to think about it a lot. I can only imagine how much easier knitting a whole shawl again must be!
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So we are evolutionary adapted to knitting, it’s clear now!😂
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It’s so pretty and delicate! And glad it was easier the second time around 🙂
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Thank you! I could play Star Wars on my computer and knit at the same because that’s what adult, responsible peopke do! 😼
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