Web-based Solutions

Two little comments over at Kerstin's today really knocked the wind out of me (ok, I'm being as dramatic as a 5th grade girl). I have been noticing how small Charlotte is, although it is measuring just as it should be in the pattern. Down the center, at row 105, it measures 17 inches, which means I will end up right around 24 inches at completion.

In her comment, Vanessa casually mentioned that she added another repeat! (I don't have her link.) As I recall from the Threadbear site, Vanessa's shawl was one color, so adding more repeats probably just used up the yarn she had, but for those of us knitting multiple colors with names like Coming Snow, Wysteria or Berries and Cream, it changes everything! Which berries should I add? Would you add more snow or more sleet? Is the wysteria just blooming or is it on the wane? I decided that I'm glad I'm short and won't be adding any more repeats.

The second comment was from Anne (again, don't have link). She mentioned blocking first and then adding the crochet edging. I checked the pattern and it doesn't mention anything about this sequence. I am seriously considering a knitted lace edging. While driving around in my car this morning, I let my mind wander as to how I will do this. Of course, I had just come to the conclusion that I should knit the edging and then block, the exact opposite of Anne's advice! My thinking was that the knitted edging will need to be "opened up" just like the shawl. But now I am concerned that the shawl edge won't have enough give if the edging is added before the shawl is blocked. Any thoughts?

I'm celebrating the fact that we have a long weekend coming up and it doesn't involve any gift-giving, card buying or new clothes! Just hang out your flag, throw on some burgers and get in some quality knitting time! Have a great weekend!

Comments

[Kathleen]

Not sure what to tell you only that I have seen some of my mom's lace pre and post blocking and the difference is incredible. I have also seen a woman knitting a tablecloth, not checking gauge and having a bedspread on her her hands. Have a great weekend. :)

[annie]

OK, now I'm panicking as well. I also read somewhere (don't know where or when) that an extra skein was needed if doing the crochet edging. I can't even find my ball bands to know which colors I have.

**I'm hyperventilating now for those who are concerned***

What to do, what to do?? Do you go with a totally different color soa s not to be too heavy with one? Calling Rob & Matt!!

Very funny entry, MB!

[annie]

OK, now I'm panicking as well. I also read somewhere (don't know where or when) that an extra skein was needed if doing the crochet edging. I can't even find my ball bands to know which colors I have.

**I'm hyperventilating now for those who are concerned***

What to do, what to do?? Do you go with a totally different color so as not to be too heavy with one? Calling Rob & Matt!!

Very funny entry, MB!

[annie]

Oops! Sorry about the double post. Did you notice the mistake is corrected on the second one?

[sandy]

First, you said the nicest thing to me! I am blushing! :) thanks for that! I am the eternal optimist! DAMMIT! ;)
Second. You really should pay attention to the road.
third. :) How about blocking before and after the edging? That would be my solution. Then you can add the edging to the finished dimemsions and blocking again will open up the edging spectacularly.
I will be knitting extra. Because there is extra of me, compared to all you skinny minnies.
BUT....I am contemplating ripping charlotte and beginning again. ACK. Gotta do what you gotta do. I will sleep on the decision first.
So....I guess your post today was.....EDGEY! heehee

[Uli]

Thanks for stirring us all up. :-))) Wake up call during a boring Friday afternoon at the office and then Sandy talks about making more 'caus there's more of her....... Well, there's way more of me than of any of you guys. Take a deep breath, Uli.......... relax and enjoy the process. :-))

[Mary Beth]

I said short, not skinny.

Update - Vanessa emailed in. She wasn't 100% sure until she looked at her photos. She had one blocking with edging on so she thinks she edged, then blocked. Her's was not one color, but she did have enough yarn to do an extra repeat. I've heard that lots of people use up all of the last skein, so she must have purchased extra.

Sandy - if there's anyone who could start over it would be you, and with a smile!

Now let's all stay calm. Between the lot of us, we will figure this out. Breath deeply...

[Kerstin]

Interesting question -- to block pre-edging or not to block. Will have to ponder that one. I'm thinking of adding in some of my first color to the last few rows at the bottom. It might help to bring it all together. First I have to see how that last color is gonna knit up. Decisions, decisions.

[margene]

Do want Charlotte to be bigger than 24"! So maybe I'll take it back and put in more rows of the blended colors. Like Kerstin's idea of adding more of the first color to the last color, too. Do not want fringe so there's another dilemma. So glad we are in this together!

[Mary Beth]

Another Update - that's 24 inches, before blocking, 36 inches after blocking. Margene - would that work? However, I like the idea of adding more of the blended color throughout - solves my question of yesterday - what to do with the leftovers (early on). Basically, we're talking about up-sizing Charlotte. I hear that the last color runs short, so you might have to factor an extra skein of the last color if you want to upsize. Fun, isn't it?

[Teresa C]

Okay everybody-go to Kyra's photo album (http://kyra.typepad.com/photos/charlottes_web/charlotte4.html) and see hers blocking after she crocheted her edging on. Isn't it gorgeous? I want one! I am having trouble finding just the right colors........ Soon.

[Donna]

Well. I can't crochet, so if I go with the edging, it shall have to be knitted. Wonder how it would look if it were edged with colour 1?

[annie]

I love that idea of using color one to edge or add to the last few rows. I think that is the solution for me.
The directions for the crochet edging have me panicking- but that is the look I love. Do you think a knitted edge would be better?

[alison]

After crocheting the first row on mine, I was afraid that it was too tight and wouldn't block out enough. I decided to find out before rather than after fringing. Answer: no worries. I would think blocking afterwards would be just fine for a knit edging as well. Also, I added 16 more rows to mine (1 triangle's worth) and used some yarn from the shawl and some leftovers. I think it's unnoticeable.

[evina]

I am finishing my CV and like Kerstin said I am thinking about adding the first colour at the end. Will block it after crocheting and before adding fringe. Let you know how it goes ..