Deadline Knitting

Sometimes you know you have to knit something by a certain time, but you still procrastinate on getting it done, right? It’s not just me, is it? Well, I’ve known I was going to make a colleague a shawl for months now. I drew her name for our school birthday exchange ages ago. I knew her birthday was in February and we’d be having the party sometime this month. Still, I didn’t start. I was told last Friday that we’d be having the birthday party this Tuesday. That gave me THREE DAYS. Many would give up. Knit a dishcloth and call it done.

But I wanted to make this lady something special. She is a lovely person and a joy to work with. So, I stopped by the yarn store on Friday and picked up some Cascade Heritage sock yarn in black and orange (she’s a big Oklahoma State fan…it was an easy choice). Then I came home and bought Stephen West’s Daybreak shawl pattern and cast on.

Then I knit. All weekend. After an inservice at school, I knit all day Monday. I skipped planning and grading and kept going into the night. I finished binding off (45 minutes) and blocking at midnight on Monday. Tuesday morning, the shawl was dry and I wrapped it up. I gave it to her Tuesday afternoon, after our Mardi Gras parade (hence the beads!). It was big hit! She put it on and tied it perfectly. See? I told you she was lovely.

Pattern: Daybreak by Stephen West
Yarn: Cascade Heritage Sock in black and orange (about 1/2 ball each)
Needles: US size 4 circulars
Cast On: February 17, 2012
Finished: February 21, 2012
Modifications: I made the medium size, but didn’t get to 16 stripe sets. I knit until I had 14 and knew I needed to start the edging or I’d never finish. Also, I messed up the garter ridges on the edging a bit, but I’ll just call it a design feature! It looks intentional.

At the Mardi Gras parade, my boss’s wife brought their baby…wearing his Peapod Cardigan that I made for him! Doesn’t he look adorable?

 

                           Tiger says, “Adora ---- yaaaaawn ----ble!”

Comments

[Triona]

Wow! Well done on finishing the shawl in time--and the Peapod modeled shot is SO CUTE.

[Michelle]

Love the daybreak shawl! Your colleague looks like she loves it too! I NEVER get photos of baby gifts, so I consider it AMAZING that these parents were so gracious and generous!