First post | Second post | Third post
As a reminder: the pattern is Morvarch (Ravelry link) by Lucy Hague (designer’s link). The yarn I’m using is Yeoman Yarns Tibet 3-ply Tweed in Lagoon, purchased from Fankle Yarns. I’m posting a link in the Unraveled Wednesday party, with thanks to Kat for hosting.
There comes a time in every long project – and even some short ones – where I hold it aloft, sigh, and say ‘it will never be done’. And that’s where I am with the Morvarch Shawl.
This despite the fact that I have made clear progress since last update. The centre square is DONE. The right hand side, including lace edging, is DONE. The left hand side… she is not done, but she is getting there! But perhaps you’re familiar with the feeling? The one where you knit for an hour, look at your work, and could swear there’s no difference from when you started.
The lace edging had me in the first half. I had to restart it, having lost some stitches along the way, but second time round it went like a dream! It’s on the wonk right now (it had to be forcibly straightened out for a photo, having been on an alarming skew to the left), but I am leaning in to my confidence in the redemptive power of blocking.
The point at which the two halves join up… well, it’s not exactly pristine, looking as it does a little gappier at the join than elsewhere, but again I think a soak will help somewhat. And it also won’t be obvious to a casual onlooker since they’ll be so awed by the beauty of the rest of it.
In writing this update, I’ve renewed my appreciation of the shawl. I’ve done some lovely work here, and enjoyed learning some new skills. And while I may still have one more ‘it will never be done’ moment to come, I always know in my heart that it’s not true. As with almost everything else, a series of small things will eventually build a big thing. And what a thing this is – so beautiful, so fancy.
I’m already thinking quite hard about my next project (danger!). I’d started an even more complex shawl, if you can believe it, in Wingspan (Ravelry link) by VectorKnits (Designer’s site). I had made good progress, dropped a crucial stitch, frogged it back, and put it aside. Now I plan to restart it completely, as I’ve learned much more about combining five (or, in theory, more) stitches into one from Morvarch and think I can do better on a second go-round. Plus I’ve had good practise at following a cabled pattern. But I also think a chunky marled sweater, holding together a rainbow DK and the leftover grey from my Cardigan of Theseus, could provide a nice balance against the heavy detail of Wingspan.
So I’m ready for Morvarch to be done, and committed to making it happen. By next Wednesday? Probably not… but maybe, just maybe.
Wish me luck!
The Crafty Yarnster 