Yarn swap and the end of the Mystery...
The yarn swap at Gleek's was also the unveiling of the Mystery Shawl 2. I knitted like crazy on friday night so I could finish the shawl and bring the left-over Merino Oro to the swap. I work so much better on deadlines...
My friend BB has been very confused by the notion of "blocking" and since blocking lace is the most spectacular blocking there is, I documented the blocking process. (Ack! I just wrote "blocking" 4 times in one sentence). Here is the shawl spread out before blocking.
I dunked it in Eucalan wash for 20 minutes, then gently squeezed out the excess water.
Notice how huge it has become: I now need 3 towels!
And here it is, all dry and pretty.
I must admit, I never thought I could knit something so light and airy and... complicated! The concept of the Mystery Shawl, where you get only a portion (or "clue"!) of the pattern, is brilliant. You only focus on a tiny part at a time.
Patten specs:
Yarn: Ornaghi Filati-- Merino Oro, purchased from One Fine Yarn about a year ago, $16. You get a whopping 1375 yds in a 100g hank (that's cobweb weight!) but I only used 56 g/770yds. The remaining 44g are in Sarah's hands...
Started on Sept 30, completed on Nov 11.
And now, to the swap! Stephanie generously invited all Spiders to her apartment. I stuffed my face with her husband's delicious cooking, as well as Sarah's hmm-hmmm cake (Grand Marnier....). 
Here is the loot, all spread out on the floor. Although Marie (right) is fondling 8 skeins of mohair, Katie (left) will go home with it. Stephanie (background) is still checking everything out. Not pictured are Sarah, Lisa and Abby. 
And here is my loot! The red yarn (Red Heart Ping Pong) has little orange pompoms AND glitter in it. Glitter! I also grabbed 4 balls of Patons' Grace in a very bright yellow (darn, not enough for another Orangina). I am in love with the Karabella: 4 balls of Aurora 8 in a light brown, 1 ball Aurora 8 in dark brown, 1 ball Aurora bulky in a matching dark brown. And lastly, 3 balls of self-striping silver/white flat ribbon.
I now have to plot what to make with all of this...
