The Ravelled Sleeve

1. Charlotte’s Web shawl in Koigu (completed May 2006). Assorted green colourways. This was a Mother’s Day present for my mom, who was–although we didn’t know it then–in the final stages of a very rapidly progressing cancer and mostly confined to bed. She was delighted with the shawl, and wore it often during the last three weeks of her life. RIP, J.

2. Socks for my son, made from an orphan ball of Regia Silk bought on sale at my lys. Fun to make — and would have been more so if I could kitchener. As it was, I finished them with a three needle bindoff I like to think of as “Can’t kitchener, won’t kitchener”. They look great on him, I think, and they’re fabulously warm and soft.

3. The ubiquitous Clapotis, in Silk Garden 35. I got a little rush of blood to the head and kept going through 10 balls of Silk Garden, rather than the usual 7 or so. Consequently, my finished Clapotis, once blocked, was a scary 8 foot long monster: not so good as a stole, which is what I originally wanted it for, but a good midwinter scarf for a cold climate. Somewhat to my surprise, I love the colourway — not colours I’d usually pick at all.

4. Socks for me, in a blueberry variegated Regia. I liked the wool better in the ball, I think, where it mysteriously looked darker.

5. An unidentified Rowan sweater for my husband, in Jo Sharp Silk Road DK Tweed (colour Magnolia). An object lesson in the necessity of swatching (which I tend to be lax about), since I had to make up several pattern repeats to add length, and it was still barely long enough. The yarn (bought as a closeout for an incredibly good price) is beautiful, and the sweater is getting plenty of wear.