Stripe Study Shawl

Pattern/Technique: Stripe study shawl by Veera Välimäki

Modifications: Knit with worsted yarn instead of fingering. Followed pattern for first MC section.

Used Russian bind off for a stretchy bottom edge.

Materials: Malabrigo worsted, 1 skein Fuchsia, 1 skein Apple Green, 2 skeins Azul Bolita

• Pink stripe - start 68g yarn, end 39g yarn (used 29g)

• Green stripe - start 54g yarn, end 17g (used 37g)

Knit with US 8 needles

New skills: n/a

Lessons/Notes: Using thicker yarn changed the proportions of the shawl quite a bit (the vertical length at the point grew faster compared to the width across the top of the shawl).

The pattern rules state that if you’re within two stitches of the end of the shawl, don’t wrap and turn. With the thicker yarn I revised that to 5 stitches to prevent weird transitions close to the edge.

For the blue stripes, I didn’t break the yarn, and instead carried it through the lime/pink stripes (along the short side).

What I'd do differently: n/a

Care: Hand wash, lay flat to dry.

Linen Bandana

Pattern/Technique: Self-drafted, cut 24"x24" square of scrap linen. Used a rolled hem foot to finish the edges with a narrow rolled hem.

Materials: Grey stripe 100% linen, purchased from Joann Fabrics

New skills: Using a rolled hem foot

Lessons: I definitely didn't know what I was doing here. According to the instructions (which I didn't read before using this foot):

If needed, press only the beginning of the hem to 2, 3 or 4 mm wide, depending on the size of your foot. Place it flat in the groove under the foot and sew, pulling the cut edge of the fabric into the scroll of the hemmer. Lower the foot and continue sewing while holding for a few stitches. Lower the needle into the fabric to hold it in place. Then raise the presser foot, keeping the cut edge up in front of the foot.

As it was, the linen I was using seemed to require pulling it quite far to the right to get enough curling for a proper rolled hem. It looks pretty good in the middle of the fabric, but at the ends (where I was starting the roll) there are some frayed edges where the edge didn't get completely rolled under.

What I'd do differently: Sew a few test swatches the next time I use this foot. I wasn't looking for a perfectly clean result on this project because it was an experiment, but if I retry this on a project where I want to eliminate fraying I'll work on improving my technique.

Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low.