Friday, July 5, 2013

Finished Object Friday: Cinco de Cuatro!

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I promised more pictures of my Cinco de Cuatro (Mexican Wedding shawl/scarf)!

 
Cinco de Cuatro (my Ravelry project page)

knit in Malabrigo Sock, color Black/Negro

This is a great pattern, but I am not going to lie: I was well and truly sick of it by the end. I think it was really just because I procrastinated on knitting it, so I had to do a repeat a day (or more) to get it done by the Camp Loopy deadline. Fortunately, the two little short rows that formed all those points were the same every time and were easy to memorize. One thing I did that really helped me was modifying the lace chart so that the same symbol meant the same stitch whether it was a right or wrong side row. Sometimes using the same symbol for a different stitch on opposite sides will help you "see" the pattern better, but it was just confusing me to remember that "\" meant k2tog or p2tog depending on which row I was on.

I probably did more blocking than necessary; certainly the pattern instructions do not require you to pin out every single point.
 
I ran out of T-pins but had plenty of pearl-headed pins thanks to my sewing class and temari making. =)

I ended up having to knit 18 repeats of the chart to use up the yardage required by Camp Loopy, in part because I went down a needle size. Why did I go down a needle size? My initial gauge swatch was more open than I would have liked. The pattern calls for fingering, and Malabrigo Sock is classified as "light fingering".

This made the scarf a little longer than I would have liked. I think 15 repeats would be pretty perfect.

I like to wrap my light scarves once around my neck, but this would make the scarf tails crazy long, and also weight them down so that they pull the wrap too tightly at my throat. This one really wants to be wound twice.
 
Kind of obscures the lace pattern at the neck that way, though.

All in all, I'm happy with it, and I can't wait to knit with this yarn again...YUM! I do worry a bit about how much time I'll have to spend blocking it when I wash it again.

Don't blink! Ah...too late.

JiffNotes
For more finished objects, head to Tami's Amis!

20 comments:

Minnie said...

I think your shawl/scarf is gorgeous and you did an excellent job on it. Maybe in my next life I'll learn to knit.

LiteraryLadybug said...

This is just lovely! Wonderful job blocking it and I really like it against the color of your shirt - it shows really well! Nice work!

Jackie's Stitches said...

It's beautiful Heather! I've not seen this pattern before and I can see why you wanted to knit it. Gorgeous!

Pearlin J said...

ooo what a gorgeous scarf! You simply look stunning wearing it :)

CalamityJr said...

So lovely!

Handmade by Stefanie said...

Wow, that is gorgeous!

Sandy said...

It gorgeous! Looks very intricate. I would think taking the time to block it well, with all those points makes a huge difference in it's appearance.

cucki said...

Wow you looking so sweet x

Marsha said...

OMG, it's just stunning. You are so very talented.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Heather it's gorgeous!!!

Melanie said...

Very very pretty! The contrast is brilliant too with the blue shirt. Also love the way it's draped 'just so' in the last pic.

Chris said...

That is gorgeous!!

Nic said...

It's beautiful!
And look at how all that extra blocking paid off. Love all the points

Lija Broka said...

What a beautiful scarf! You are so patient!

Karoline said...

It's gorgeous, congratulations

Shirlee said...

It's beautiful!!!

katie metzroth said...

That is REALLY lovely!

Anne said...

Stunning scarf Heather!! I love the photo of you wearing it too!!

Bernadett said...

Pretty.:) It suits you well.:)

Erin (moviemuse) said...

It is absolutely beautiful! And *you* look great, too!

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