Monday, July 21, 2008

Whiplash...as defined by Stephanie Pearl McPhee


Through recently finishing my Shetland Triangle, I have acquired a case of Whiplash.
Whiplash as defined by the Yarn Harlot of course. In her book, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off she describes whiplash as: "Whiplash is an infirmity afflicting a knitter who has recently completed an enormous wonder of work, often under a deadline. When a huge shawl or intricate sweater or even a pair of socks knit at a speed that consumed the knitters waking hours for some time is finished, the knitter suddenly finds little strength for knitting. "

Though not acute, I most assuredly have a case of this dreaded ailment and have resigned myself to not knitting for at least 24 hrs. In the last days of completing my shawl I knit 34 rows (plus the cast off). No, it doesn't sound like that much. but multiply 34 rows times over 300sts (and growing!) per row and well...you get the idea. After the 10th repeat (which I reached a few weeks ago), each row was taking me about 10-12 mins to complete, thus each repeat (10rows) was taking me at least 1 hr 40mins to knit. Ouch.
Beginning this great task of finishing 2 repeats plus the edging was spurred on by the inevitable arrival of my Knit Picks order and my great desire to cast on for this without being hampered by too many wips.
I have great respect for those who knit far larger shawls than this, and I cannot even comprehend the time invested in circular shawls. It's quite inspiring.

In order to ease the whiplash, I will continue working on these socks. I love the colorway.

Anyway, without furthur ado, the project notes:



Ravelry Link
Pattern: Shetland Triangle by Evelyn A. Clark
Yarn: Knit Picks Shadow (2 skeins, I used the second skein for the 14th repeat and the edging...I think it was about 500yds total?)

Body Repeats: 14
Dimensions: Pre-blocking: 41.5" across, and 19" from top to middle point.
Post-Blocking: 57" across, and 26" from top to middle point.

My shawl was a bit larger than the original knit in fingering weight.

Originally I intended this shawl for gift, but after spending so much time on it (and being rather pleased with the final outcome) I simply can't give it up. :)


2 comments:

Jennifer said...

Beautiful work! Lovely color too! I have never knit a shawl, well, minus the clapotis. I just don't know that I have it in me. I can't wait to see you start the argyle sweater. I'll have to add you to my blogroll to keep an eye out.

Bonnie said...

It's gorgeous. You can always knit another one for a gift!