3 long hours and 32 beers later…

Posted on | May 1, 2008 | 7 Comments

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Success!  After the first 10 minutes, it was no longer about the yarn – it was a battle to be won.  A hard-fought battle too, because really – for $8.75 + shipping - the practical side of me said “Self, you can spin better yarn that this and IT won’t be felted to where it’s practically impossible to wind!”  But I am not a quitter.  I’d paid my $8.75 + shipping and heard such great things about Malabrigo lace (1,175 Ravelry projects can’t be wrong, right?) that I was determined to see it through.

As I spent all my time winding tangled, slightly-felted yarn last night, I didn’t have time to send email replies to comments so I’m lazily posting my thoughts in response here:

Margene & Carrie – agreed, but the online store I ordered from doesn’t accept returns.  I was sorely tempted to return it to them, ask them to wind it and then ship it back to me.  Ha!  I don’t really blame the shop, though.  I blame Malabrigo.

Tonni – I totally agree.  I’d advise to either purchase this in person so you can examine the Tangle Factor, or order from somewhere that will accept returns.  And I’m totally jealous that you’re going to MDSW this weekend!  Have fun!

Lynn – I actually had to take it off the swift, lay it flat on the table, pry it from its felted neighbors until I hit a tangle (approx. every two yards) and wind on every.two.yards.

At any rate, it’s done.  And this has begun:

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Yup, the Forest Canopy Shawl by Susan Lawrence.  This seems like a simple, easy-to-follow pattern which will be great for a fairly new lace knitter such as myself.

I say “fairly new” because … I just knit and finished a lace shawl!  In two days!  I blocked it last night and will have a finished object photoshoot tonight!  Woot!!! 

P.S.  I did not really have 32 beers last night.  Just one.  I didn’t even finish that; there must be something wrong with me.

 

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Comments

7 Responses to “3 long hours and 32 beers later…”

  1. karrie
    May 1st, 2008 @ 11:39 am

    Not to be a spoil sport, but don’t you worry that your FO might felt with light use since the yarn itself was so felty?

  2. eblake
    May 1st, 2008 @ 12:28 pm

    I’m going to reply to Karrie, but I thought I’d respond here too, so that maybe you all can chime in because she asks a good question.

    My opinion is that since the yarn is already slightly felted, it’ll be LESS likely to felt in the finished object. Rowan Felted Tweed and Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed are both yarns that are slightly felted. They can be felted further, but with normal use, I believe they’re no more likely to felt than any other 100% wool yarn.

    What do you guys think?

    -elizabeth

  3. Sandy
    May 1st, 2008 @ 1:43 pm

    Felting shouldn’t be an issue with this at all. I knit Seraphim from Handpainted yarns, which is very much like the Malabrigo. No felting at all. I love it.

    The color is gorgeous, can’t wait to see the FO!

  4. margene
    May 1st, 2008 @ 1:47 pm

    You drink beer like I drink beer. I like the idea of it better than the actual taste, unless it stays freezingly cold.
    Good for you in getting the job done and I agree about ordering from places that accept returns. The shop should be dealing with Malbrigo NOT YOU!

  5. Tonni
    May 1st, 2008 @ 3:01 pm

    Congratulations for your winding success! Beer does wonders for the patience, right?!

    I changed my mind… i think i’ll buy some from a shop that will wind it for me, even though I have the equipment at home. Let someone else have the headache! The shawl you chose is on my ever-expanding-to-knit list. Beautimous!

  6. Sara
    May 1st, 2008 @ 6:06 pm

    It appears the battle was well worth it. Even the small bit shown in the progress pic is uber-lovely!

  7. Emily
    May 3rd, 2008 @ 5:53 pm

    I’m glad you added about the beers – I rarely finish one either. Once it isn’t cold anymore, I lose interest.

    I got nothing for ya about the yarn.