Follow Your Arrow.

…finished and photographed…and blogged!

Thank goodness I don't have Carole's rule about blogging before wearing. This shawl has been wrapped around my shoulders a lot these past weeks, sitting at the hospital.

I have mixed feelings about mystery knit-alongs. For the most part, I've had good experiences, but I like to know what I'm getting up front. It takes someone like Ysolda to get me hooked without knowing. This one had special appeal because she was releasing two versions of each of the five clues. I'm a sucker for choose your own adventure!

I managed the first few clues on track (the clues came out weekly, on Mondays and I finished them the following weekend) but the snow and the news about my dad slowed me down mid-way. At one point I put this project on the back burner (to finish my Pebble Gradient) and wasn't even committed to finishing it. But then the FOs started showing up on Ravelry and I got sucked back in.

I worked through the last two clues in under a week and got it blocked before I left home. I even snuck in a few modeled photos on Madeline.

We had sunshine the day after I arrived here and I'm sure the neighbors wondered about me wandering my parents' yard and hanging the shawl on bushes. But you needed to see the whole thing and I couldn't think of anything better!

I started with clue A which was asymmetrical. I really enjoyed that beginning, but it's one thing I'd change if I do it again (and I definitely might). All the other clues I chose were symmetrical and what I'd call "traditional" lace. My favorite clue was 4A which started with a very cool "3 into 5" stitch. It reminds me of half daisies and just makes me smile.

that 3 into 5 stitch formed the corners

There are more details on my Ravelry page (here), but for quick reference, I did clues AABAA (and I'd do BAAAA if I do it again, that would be symmetrical and just a bit different from the one I did).

I finished two more shawls since I've been here and got them blocked this afternoon. I plan to wear the one I knit bedside tomorrow … when we take the "Thank You from the former residents of room 2146" cake to the nursing staff. Yep, he's home! and doing well. We cannot thank y'all enough for all your prayers and good wishes. (and I promise I'll share both those finished projects here… once I'm home).

Happy weekend!