One of my main projects in 2023 was knitting an epic shawl from the Acalypha pattern from Expression Fibre Arts.
(Part 1 of this project is available here)
The reasoning for this shawl was purely for the CWA Handicraft Competition, specifically The Land section of an article made from natural fibers under 5 ply.
I chose 4ply 100% cotton from the big box craft shop so this can become a spring and autumn seasons piece.
Back Story
Knitting is pretty new to me, I learned the basics from my Grandma and Mum back in late primary school and most likely made the compulsory rectangle scarf in garter stitch, with a few dropped stitches added in for good measure.
About 8 years ago I received some scratchy wool and a basic pair of knitting needles for Christmas and slowly my interest, skills and supplies grew.
Over the last few years, I've created a jumper all in garter, a lace sleeveless jumper, a small blanket of squares in all different textures, a beanie or two including trying cables, finger-less gloves, and I even bought a round knitting machine but that doesn't really count.
I'm now the proud owner of interchangeable circular needles and more glorious yarns than I have project ideas.
This Project
In planning my epic year of crafting for the competition in February 2024 I decided that knitting was going to be a focus. Bought the pattern. Bought the wool. Delayed getting started.
But in June I began in earnest. And had to pull out the stitches numerous times in learning to understand the pattern, what stitches were supposed to line up, and what stitches were supposed to be offset.
It took about three and a half months to knit and then another four weeks until I decided to block it.
Blocking this was another learning curve, my previous pieces have been small enough to wet-block. But this was huge, and with the hours already used in creation, the cotton material, and the competition element I was nervous to mess it up at this late stage.
Instead, I decided to try steam blocking with the iron. First on the ironing board and then realising that I needed to lay it out and pin it to the carpet on towels to be able to steam it flat and stretched.
My favourite part is just admiring all the work that went into it. The achievement of it. And the leaf pattern, it's lovely. And the knit-off border, even though it was overwhelming to read it was 585 rows!
What I might do differently
Though I love the colours individually I'm not sure I like the switch between them in this project. The original pattern had stripes which might give more of a graduating effect. Or choose colours with less contrast.
I think I'd change the pattern repeat, some of the earlier lace pattern doesn't really get shown, I would consider lessening the main leaf and lengthening those earlier patterns.
Learnings from this project
The fall-back row - which I wrote more about in part 1 of this project.
The practice swatch - I have another project that I'm about to start and I'm committed to a practice swatch so I can learn the pattern without having to frog it multiple times. Plus this way I can also do a size gauge.
Check as you go - it's VERY tempting for me to just keep knitting but there are a few places where stitches aren't lining up where they should and I might have been able to pick these up if I'd cast a critical eye over the whole piece more regularly.
Will it be good enough for the competition? Only time will tell, it's not perfect...but I'm pretty proud.