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April 30, 2007

Plugging away. Here is a picture of a finished Shetland Shawl.

The black mark shows roughly how much I have done.

100_8371.jpg

That's what's left of the first ball of yarn, out of six. See why I'm worried?

And for those who are curious about cobweb weight, here is a strand of cobweb next to a strand of Opal sock yarn. (Fingering weight or 4 ply).

100_8370.jpg

Pretty fine, huh? It's no so bad now that I'm used to it, in fact I'm quite enjoying it.
Remind of that when I'm whining about it and still knitting it in 6 month, okay?

For those who are interested, Bendigo Woollen Mills have finally got off their butts and get themselves a website.
Depending on the yarn you prefer this could be a good thing. It's great value for basic yarns, and it's all natural fibres. And the balls are 200g, so you get loads in each ball. Some of the colours are a bit wishy-washy.
If you're after sock yarn and suitable lace yarn though, you're out of luck.

Posted by Donna at April 30, 2007 08:53 PM

Comments

that shawl is looking absolutely brilliant but my god that's fine wool isn't it? Keep up the good work.


I love Bendigo for their good, classic, basic wool. There are plenty of places doing the fancy stuff. When I want good old fashioned wool for a big project, Bendigo's my favourite. I wish though they'd update their patterns and get some more deeper colours.

Posted by: Bells at April 30, 2007 10:17 PM

Wow, that's tiny yarn. As for the amount ... Yes, I'd be worried too.

Posted by: Samantha at April 30, 2007 11:14 PM

About time they get a website. And oh my, that cobweb yarn really is um, cobweb-like.

Posted by: claudine at April 30, 2007 11:51 PM

It's not looking good that you'll have enough yarn. What will you do?

Posted by: wool winder at May 1, 2007 01:13 AM

Thats a really long way to go.. I think it will most probably take more than 1.5 ball for one section. Thanks for the head up on the website! =)

Posted by: Kessa at May 1, 2007 02:03 AM

Thanks for the link. I agree with Bells! Their yarn is much nicer than some of the places here that also produce "no nonsense" yarn. Some of those feel that scouring pads!

I might be doing lace next year but you're not going to suck me in knitting skinny yarn like that or elaborate patterns. I'll leave all that to the experts like You!

Posted by: Marina at May 1, 2007 02:06 AM

I so admire your patience, that yarn is tiny!

Posted by: angie at May 1, 2007 08:32 AM

Absolutely stunning!

Posted by: marti at May 1, 2007 09:20 AM

cobweb yarns?? no way i'm trying that!! haha. sock yarn which is 4 ply is already taking me ages to finish!!!

Posted by: Michelle at May 1, 2007 01:58 PM

I think I would be sweating too,does the centre panel open up? Maybe you wont use so much in that part!
You're so clever and fast too, do you have sparks coming off your needles,giggle giggle!!!! Im struggling to get the CPH finished in time to wear to hockey,ha ha ha!

Posted by: cathy at May 1, 2007 08:59 PM

I would think that if that ball lasts through the whole bottom edging, which is getting more narrow as you go, you'll have enough yarn. 1 ball per edging would be 4 balls, then that would leave 2 balls for the center. The center looks more airy and might not take as much yarn. Of course, it's easy for me to speculate that since I'm not the one knitting it :)

Posted by: Restless Knitter at May 1, 2007 11:44 PM

That is really fine. It's going to be so beautiful though. I never heard of Bendigo's. Hmmm... going to have to give that site a very good look through. :)

Posted by: Madame Purl at May 1, 2007 11:53 PM

I think J&S started making some of their balls smaller since GOL was published. Check your ballbands against what's listed, and possibly order accordingly.

Posted by: Cathy at May 2, 2007 01:50 AM

Oh gee ... doesn't look like you will make it, does it? That's a lot of knitting!

Posted by: Janette at May 2, 2007 11:52 AM

i did a little dance when Bendigo informed me of its own website. makes for much easier ordering than doing the old fashioned post method, especially when ordering from overseas.

good luck with the shawl...sending you a bunch of patience and hope that you don't run out of yarn (god forbid!)

Posted by: karyn at May 2, 2007 02:25 PM

Just a suggestion - next time you're in Penrith, show it to Anita and see what she thinks.
Or, visit the Macarthur group of the Knitters' Guild - they have a member called Raelene - she's a guru, believe me I've spoken to her on several occasions! Seek her out and ask her opinion. The Guild website http://www.knittersguildnsw.org.au/locations.php#6 gave these details:
CWA Rooms
9.30am 2nd Monday and 4th Saturday each month
Cawdor Rd
Camden
Convenor - Ms Anita Dawson

Posted by: Lynne at May 2, 2007 03:35 PM

Umm, gulp, the cobweb weight is super skinny. Somehow I don't think it will take you 6 months to knit it, unless you get tired of it and put it down for awhile. All of that knitting and you've still got miles to go. I just don't know if I have that kind of fortitude for cobweb lace knitting, just don't see it.

Posted by: Wanda at May 2, 2007 04:15 PM

Just looking at that picture (of how much you've finished) makes me want to go back to bed. You've got a long but lovely project ahead of you!

Posted by: jessie at May 2, 2007 08:55 PM

I would like an adult-sized version of Em's new costume a few posts back (trying to catch up today). The skirt is just beautiful.

I am so so sorry about your car. I'd have to hunt the offender down -- I'd be furious! (As I know you are too).

Love your yarn splurge and as the others have said, I'd be worried about the shortage of cobweb wool too. Pets to Twinkie!!

Posted by: Debby at May 3, 2007 09:10 AM

Oh my that's an intricate shawl! (Eeeep! I hope you don't run out of yarn!)

Posted by: Kristie at May 3, 2007 09:32 AM

The shawl looks good, and I'm sure you'll eventually get yours finished too. Good luck with having enough yarn, but I find often our worries don't come to reality.
I'm glad Bendigo finally has a site.

Posted by: Susan Hird at May 3, 2007 01:16 PM

Donna, I hear ya!! I'm knitting with Habu stainless steel/silk and merino held together - it's like sewing thread!

Posted by: Nora at May 3, 2007 06:07 PM