As a project nears completion I get this manic urge to race to the bind off. I’m likely to stay up late or forgo meals just as long as I get to charge forward toward the final row.
The last few days have been like that with the Sangiovese Stole. Although actually I’ve only been racing toward the midway point because the stole is knit from the center down to the border – twice – then joined at the center back. The first half of the stole has to meet all the goals. One of the big goals is yardage. This project is designed to be knit with 800 yards. I’m using the Lost City Knits Llama/bamboo and since the yarn comes in 400yd skeins I’ve been watching the first ball dwindle with each row hoping my math on the repeats was going to work out. It did with just a few grams to spare. I’m using a new dark purple colorway called Claudia, named for one of our farmer’s market vendors who grows the most delicious grapes I’ve ever tasted.
Why call a lace stole Sangiovese? My friend Cathy and I have been known to enjoy a little vino with our knitting and Sangiovese is one of the wines we like from a local vineyard. So I’ve designed this stole with grape leaves, vines, and a few clusters (nupps!) of grapes along the border.
 |
| Sangiovese Stole |
Here is the first half of the Sangiovese Stole pinned out and blocking on wires. I’m pretty jazzed. With lace there’s always a bit of uncertainty because the project basically looks like a wad of tangled yarn and the pattern is barely discernible until it’s stretched out and blocked. That’s when I can stand up and look at my work and say, “okay”. Then sometimes a little chuckle of relief bubbles up.
This time I’ve just got to remind myself that I’m only halfway done. No chuckle of relief just yet, I’ve still got half a race left to knit…
