The Knitting Fiend

Garter stitch is so easy you can’t help but pay attention to the tv while knitting. Even adding short rows is not enough to distract the knitter from the tv. This is perilous because I promised myself I would not discuss politics on my knitting blog.

So, keeping my promise, I will tell you that I am officially 2/3’s of the way done with the endless garter stitch portion of my pie wedge shawl. I know this because I have completed 3 of the 5 wedges, and I am about half way done with the fifth. Using skills developed in the fifth grade, I conclude 3/5 + (1/2)(1/5) = 21/30 ~ 2/3!

Whooo hooo!

Wondering how much yarn I’ve used? I just broke into my third ball of Taiga Carress Mohair. That means the garter stitch portion of this shawl will take a bit over 3 balls (which is very close to what I predicted when I ran the Barbara Shawl Calculator with no trim.) I’ll need to break into the fourth skein for the trim.

Of course, I’m not making the Barbara shawl (aka standard pie wedge shawl); I’m making a similar one. Recall I agonized, and finally gave into my inner demon’s demand to make this symmetric about the center. So, I split the center wedge in two, and I’m mirroring. It’s just as easy to knit, but you’ll see both edges will cup up before blocking. I can straighten that out during blocking. But who knows, maybe I’ll like the curving!

With any luck, I’ll finish the garter stitch on Sunday, and I’ll be able to work on the decorative edging next week. I think I’d better pick something really fancy; that will prevent me from accidentally mentioning politics!