So a while ago I did a swap with Amy (thanks!!!) and she sent me a bonus present of a skein of lace weight wool from handpainted yarns. It was a bright vivid pink known as barbie rose. Very appropriate! I almost immediately wound it up and started knitting Birch. I haven't knit with lace weight yarn before, and casting on 299 stitches proved to be somewhat of a problem. I think I ended up casting on about three times. At first I attempted the garter lace version, but the stitches were a BIG pain to knit on the way back, so I ripped and started again with the stocking stich version. Much better. I finished the shawl a while ago and Amy was very clever in spotting it in one of my pictures.
Once I got used to the lace weight yarn, everything went pretty smoothly and I only had to unpick a few rows a couple of times. I didn't use any stitch markers and the pattern was very easy to memorize. And unlike the flower basket shawl, where the number of stitches increases as you go, this one decreases and it is very satisfying and exciting. I love the way it turned out, and if you don't want to spend big bucks on Kid Silk Haze (although I'd love to knit it again in KSH) then one skein of this yarn will do the trick. It's warm and cozy - perfect for the ever-cooling Tokyo nights.
And here's a close-up of the stitch pattern - so simple but pretty!
It looks great! I bought some of this yarn to make birch as well, but that 299 cast on has kept me away for a while.
Posted by: yahaira | November 08, 2005 at 10:47 PM
Oh, it's beautiful! I have several skeins of that laceweight lurking in my stash, and now that I see how deliciously yours turned out, I'm getting inspired to cast them on.
Posted by: Sarah | November 08, 2005 at 11:38 PM
So pretty!
Posted by: sharlyn | November 09, 2005 at 12:38 AM
birch is such a beautiful pattern! i've seen it in many different yarns and each one is unique and amazing. it looks fabulous kat! and of course, that pink color is just perfect ;)
Posted by: gleek | November 09, 2005 at 12:47 AM
It looks so great. Beautiful work! If you don't mind, I may have to imitate you and make one out of the Molly colorway I have in my stash.
Posted by: Amy | November 09, 2005 at 01:54 AM
nice!! color looks good on you too! :D
Posted by: chris | November 09, 2005 at 04:04 AM
That's so cute! And oh-so-Pinku!
Posted by: Jenn | November 09, 2005 at 04:42 AM
That's so cute! And oh-so-Pinku!
Posted by: Jenn | November 09, 2005 at 04:45 AM
That's so cute! And oh-so-Pinku!
Posted by: Jenn | November 09, 2005 at 04:46 AM
Hooray for inspirations! Your knits are always so lovely. Time to look again at the laceweight I have been frowning at in my stash.
Posted by: Beth | November 09, 2005 at 08:35 AM
Hooray for inspirations! Your knits are always so lovely. Time to look again at the laceweight I have been frowning at in my stash.
Posted by: Beth | November 09, 2005 at 08:35 AM
Wow!! That looks great!
Posted by: drh | November 09, 2005 at 11:09 AM
Truly gorgeous! I will definitely make friends with the Lace Weight Mohair I have sitting in my stash. Have you knit with Fleece Artist yarns from Canada?
Posted by: Paddy | November 09, 2005 at 02:42 PM
Sweet Heart...you've been very busy with your knitting. What gorgeous work...and the red scarf is so cute. I just started a shawl in a fushia mohair too...using a Weekend Knitting pattern. If mine looks half as awesome as yours, I can't wait.
Posted by: Erin | November 10, 2005 at 07:35 AM
Gorgeous, Kat! It looks so good with black. If you're going to knit it again, you may want to try the other version, Kiri. I made mine with two balls of KSH and it was big enuff.
Posted by: MJ | November 25, 2005 at 08:59 AM