Prayer Shawl(s)

Today went well. I got most of the big projects on my list under control. What I'm going to show you is the completed prayer shawl. I left it with three edging rows. Finished off all the loose ends. Put it in the dryer with a damp towel to pull off all the hairs (even with no dogs or cats here, things seem to be rather hairy.)

And I wanted to get the next one started before I leave. The first couple of rows are always the hardest- you have to really pay attention to get them right. So I got into the third row and the second color. This verifies the size will be about what I want.

Last year, I went on the train and took the one I just completed. It was sport weight yarn and took up very little space. It did use up some of my yarn stash, but it wasn't a genuine scrap-craft afghan.

Since I'm taking the car this time, there is room for a bigger handicraft box (I don't have a tub the right size, but a box is fine.) And this is worsted weight yarn, so the whole thing will go much faster. I actually bought a pattern. I was going to figure it out by looking at the picture, but the pattern was only $4, so really... why give myself the headache?

Here is the stash that is going with me. The directions say that each row takes about 30 yards of yarn. So I checked one leftover wad of yarn and it was just over 30 yards. I rolled that up and used that as my standard. Any little balls smaller than that one I don't need to take with me. Any yarns that have enough just alike (same color and dye lot) to potentially make a single project I don't need to take. What I have is 42 different colors, and most of them are enough to do more than one row.

It's packed and in my travel pile.

The other biggie I got done today was to write this month's column for the Ludington Daily News. I do have to find a couple of pictures to go with it, but that won't be too hard. I'll do that in the morning. And I worked out the logistics for one of my visits that was starting to get gnarly. I think the itinerary is all set now.

Then I have a lot of smaller jobs that I hope to get through tomorrow. And it's supposed to be nice, so hopefully I can take a walk. Friday will be for finishing any remaining tasks and packing the car. Whew!

Saturday, I'm on my way with the first stop to be selling books at the Gun Lake Winterfest in Wayland, MI. Lots of fun activities too. Stop in if you are nearby.

See Prayer Shawl Sunday

Prayer Shawl Sunday

Huh. I thought for sure I shared a picture from a year ago when it was Prayer Shawl Sunday at the Methodist Church, but I guess not. That picture would have looked a whole lot like the first one here.

I had only heard of them from my cousin Jean until last year. The idea is that they are handmade, and the maker prays for the future recipient (often people in care facilities) while doing the handwork. I had thought they had to be done with a certain pattern, but that is not the case.

In fact, in the picture above, the tubs are full of yarn that the ladies are trying to give out so people can knit or crochet a blanket/afghan/lap robe, whatever you want to call it. You can see the variety of ones they have to give away that are hanging on the railing.

Anyway, when I learned last year that these could be just about anything, I perked up immediately. I have as many tubs full of yarn as the whole church has here! I like to make things, but I don't need any more things. I've already given most of my close friends afghans.

So, on the train to New York last February, I started a prayer shawl. I wasn't going to show you until it was done because... you know... I have enough unfinished projects that it's a little embarrassing. But I needed a topic for tonight. And Sunday was the promotional day. And, I"m really close to being done. I have one more purple row and then 6 blue rows, and then an edging.

My plan is to get it finished before heading East for this year's flower show. Then I'll start another one in a different pattern. This didn't even make a noticeable dent in my yarn stash. It's done in shell stitch for anyone who cares. I'll show you again when it's done.

I was supposed to go to Muskegon for a dentist appointment today, but I cancelled. I wasn't interested in 2-3 hours of white-knuckle driving. I did go out locally to do a couple of errands. Wrote 533 words in Vacation from Dead Mule Swamp.

See A prayer shawl cousin Jean made