Busy Hands for Christmas

Hi, all. I'm now in the throes of Christmas handwork - yay! I've finished Julia's Christmas slippers. Or, as we call them, the Elven Shoes :)

This was a tricky pattern, a bit. They are fun-looking. Yes, they have pointy toes. She likes the ankle cuff open, as it is. I think she'll wear them out in a month.

I've been working on this prayer shawl for months, I think. I only work on it on Thursday mornings for about an hour, which means I get 7 or 8 rows done each week. Slow going! I call this the "Wave Pattern."  (I'll put the pattern below.) See why?

It's a beautiful pattern. I should not have used the variegated yarn, because the pattern does not show up as well with this type of yarn. Still, it's nice.  The prayer shawl ladies call this the "Time Out Pattern."  That's because, when they first were learning it, every time they  got to the tricky pattern row, they had to take a "time out," not talk at all, and one lady even went to knit in the corner, so she could concentrate and count.  So funny! It's challenging for me because I'm not a very great knitter.

But I love the look of this shawl, so I wanted to do one for my mother for Christmas. I picked out the yarn. I delayed and procrastinated. Honestly, I was waiting until I got better at the pattern! And I needed a second pair of 11-size needles. So yesterday, I started her shawl.

I did about 10 rows, made a huge mistake, and promptly ripped out about 4 rows. Sigh!! Now I'm back up and running again. I'll keep you posted on the progress. This shawl had better go faster than the other one! It can't go much slower, or it'll have to be for next Christmas!

Wave Shawl Patter:

size 11 knitting needles and worsted weight yarn

Cast on 84 stitches.
Knit 7 rows (garter stitch)
After this point, ALL rows begin and end with 6 knit stitches. Don't forget!

With the 8th row, begin this 4-row pattern:
Row 1: knit all stitches
Row 2: knit first 6 stitches, purl 72 stitches, knit final 6 stitches
Row 3: PATTERN ROW (K2 tog) x3; (YO, K1) x6; (K2 tog) x6;  (YO, K1) x6; (K2 tog) x6;
              (YO, K1) x6; (K2 tog) x6; (YO, K1) x6; (K2 tog) x3.   Remember also to begin and end    this  row with 6 knit stitches.
Row 4: knit all stitches.

Do this pattern until the shawl measures about 55 inches. Then knit 7 rows (garter stitch).
Bind off.
Add fringe if you like.

A very wise elderly knitter gave me this advice: on any row, slip the first stitch instead of knitting or purling it. This will keep your edges more firm and tight. I have found this to be a good piece of advice.

The alternating yarn overs and knit-togethers of the pattern row are what produces the "wave" in the shawl pattern, and it is very fun. Enjoy!