Advanced Shawl CAL

Whatever happened to the Whisper Wrap Crochet Along?

Did you finish? Did you stall? How did it go? Haley and I finished ours! What do you need to finish yours? Please comment here. What would make the CALs better for you? I'm open to suggestions.

Would you be interested in a Tunisian Crochet Along?

Whisper Wrap CAL and question

Does anyone have any progress to report on the Whisper Wrap Advanced Shawl CAL? Deadlines have gotten in the way of my progress and I'm stalled at about the 6" mark. I'm still hoping though, that I can get mine done in time to wear to the Knit and Crochet Show in Manchester, NH in July.

Here's Chief tough guy. Sigh. He fell off a chair and scraped his eye on Saturday. He is wearing his injuries as badges of honor.

I finished a couple of major projects that were obstacles to the book. Now, I have 2 smaller projects to do, then I can focus on the book, and only the book until the deadline. I am always juggling multiple projects... but when it comes to reading, I usually only read just one book at a time. What about you? Are you a monogamous crocheter? or do you share the love with multiple projects at a time?

Whiper Wrap CAL Question 1

I have a new group/forum on Ravelry called, "GoCrochet with Ellen Gormley". To get there, log on to Ravelry.com, click on the "groups" tab, search by typing in "GoCrochet" and near the upper right will be a button to "join this group".

On this group, I have a thread for the "Advanced Shawl CAL - Whisper Wrap". You may leave your questions and discuss the pattern there OR you can leave comments on this post or any post related to the CAL. I will answer questions here in blog posts so that everyone can learn! Ok, hooks ready? here we GO!

Question 1:
Diane writes:

I’m excited too and I also have a question. Since it has to do with gauge, I’m going to ask it now!

Using the I-5.5mm hook, my swatch measured 3.5 inches. Is this gauge “close enough” or should I swatch using a 5mm hook?

Thanks!

Thanks for joining us! gauge is not critical as it is not a form fitting garment, however, you don't want a blanket or a napkin either. Our proposed gauge is

13 sts and 4 rows = 3” in pattern

With your gauge, you will likely end up with a shawl that is a few inches bigger. If you are ok with that, then you can just continue. If you want to get closer to gauge, go down a hook size. This is a very stretchy pattern, by the way, gauge is taken with the swatch laid comfortably on the table (without being stretched).

The purpose of the practice swatch is to familiarize yourself with the pattern and the stitches. The practice swatch is more than 13 sts, so it will not end up being 3" wide. If you want to make a bigger swatch that will give you a more accurate picture of your gauge, use the multiples instructions at the beginning of the pattern to make a bigger swatch. If you are adamantly anti-swatch and you just begin the project, you will not see your true gauge until you are several rows into the pattern and all the stitches "settle" into place.

Your goal for today might be to get the practice swatch done. I'm going to make my goal for today to get the first and second rows established (then the rest will be easy!)

Chaining on such a large number of stitches can be difficult. I will likely place a marker every 25 sts to help with counting. I also will likely work in the back ridge of my chains because I like the finished edge it will leave and it will help me visualize the chains so that they don't get twisted.

Vote for the Crochet LIberation Front Crochet Awards

The Crochet Liberation Front (CLF) is holding it's 2nd Annual Crochet Awards. The award given is called the "Flaming Hook of Justice" or "Flamie" for short.

This year, I am nominated in the Best Crochet Blog category. Please consider voting!

Vote Here

Of course the voting is happening now, when I'm SWAMPED and haven't had time to properly entertain you! But never fear, the Advanced Shawl Whisper Wrap CAL begins MONDAY! Woohoo! I'm looking forward to it!

*note to Martina and all our German speaking participants... Martina, please feel free to translate any questions and post them to the comment section. You also have my permission to translate my comments about the Whisper Wrap that I write on this blog, into German. If you give me the question and the translation side by side, I'll try to publish them for all our followers to read. Thank you!

Book Sneak Peek

I think you deserve a book sneak peek. You've been so patient... so here it is... It's like a Where's Waldo puzzle isn't it? I'll give you a hint... there's a little... and there's a little more over there... and there's a little over here... Forgive me, I think it'll be worth it. I showed it to a friend of mine when I asked her opinion she said, "Seriously Beautiful". Words I'll cherish!

Do you have your yarn for the Advanced Shawl "Whisper Wrap" CAL yet? Mine is on it's way! The CAL will begin Monday, March 15!

Advanced Shawl CAL - It's here! The pattern is Here!

The Advanced Shawl Pattern is now available! I'm calling it the Whisper Wrap! You can download the PDF now for $5.00 USD by clicking the "Buy Now" button. Then, if you are a Raveler, go to Ravelry and create a project page and queue this baby up! You can begin at anytime, but official discussion will start here on 3/15/10.


$5.00

Fine Print: To use the PDF, you will need appropriate software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader. By purchasing this pattern, you are granted a limited license to download the pdf file to a single personal computer and to print out a hard copy of the pattern, solely for personal non-commercial use.

If you are going to use YarnsAndMore to buy your yarn, she's placing an order TODAY! Here's the link.

Advanced Shawl CAL- What is Advanced?

Good question!

In this pattern there are post stitches put in weird places. In the pattern there will be photos illustrating exactly where they go! There will be both Front and Back Post Treble Crochet stitches. Also, there are stitches that I call: dc3tog over 5 and dc2tog over 3. Usually, when you do a dc dec, (also known as a dc2tog), you insert the hook to begin the stitch in the indicated st and the next part of the stitch goes in the next stitch... but in this pattern, you skip a st before doing the second half of the stitch. So it's still a dc2tog, but the feet are spread straddling a skipped st. I think there is a photo of this too. The dc3tog over 5, is very similar, it's just a dc3tog but the legs of the stitch are spaced out skipping every other st.

This pattern is great for a CAL because you can have as much support here on the blog that you might need! Also, there is like 14 photos (all sized down so the file isn't too huge) illustrating all the points. If ever you wanted to do an 'advanced' anything, now's the time!

I'd better get back to working on it, 3/15/10 is coming up soon!

I've decided to do my Whisper Wrap Advanced Shawl in the purplish color Berry Frappe 0006.

CAL Advanced Shawl details

Originally, in the photo, this shawl was 56" x 15". I'm re-writing the pattern for the shawl to be 60" x 18" and in the PDF, I'll offer details on multiples for how to adjust the length and height yourself. The old shawl 56" x 15" used 4 balls of Caron Spa which is 251 yds/skein and it is a 3/light weight yarn. I'm hoping to re-do the shawl myself during the CAL. In the photo I used the Misty Taupe, but I think when I re-stitch it (bigger), I'm going to use either the Ocean Spray or the Green Sheen. In the bigger size, I'm going to buy not 4 skeins, but 7. Remember to plan on having some extra for swatching. I also used an I/US-9 [5.5mm] hook. JoAnn's has Spa listed as $4.99 per skein as of today. Herrschner's has it listed for $4.49 per skein. If you are familiar with the Yarnsandmore Yahoo group, she has it listed as $4.00 per skein with a 3 skein minimum, I don't know if there is a return policy. Here's the link to the Yarnsandmore group. (I have no affiliation with Yarnsandmore, but I've used the group before several times and had a great experience. Jean, the owner of the group can be contacted directly, send me an email if you want her address. Make sure you find out an estimated shipping time, because it may take a little longer than ordering through a chain-store website).

Of course, you can use any yarn you wish, but if you go with the Caron Spa, those are some options.

The Pattern PDF is going to cost $5.00. There will be MANY photos in it and support here on the blog. I will not be giving out pertinent information about beginning chains and multiples here on the blog, it will be in the PDF. April 1, after we begin the CAL, the price of the PDF is going to up to $6.00. This is to offer you, blog readers, a discount, and to balance out the amount of work it is for me to photograph and support each step along the way.

I'm still hoping to begin the CAL on March 15th. I hope you will join me! Wouldn't it be great to see a bunch of these shawls walking around CGOA's National conference in July? Nevertheless, if you join me in the CAL, please do your best to take photos and post the project on Ravelry if you are a Ravelry person. I can't wait to get started!

Advanced Shawl CAL

Whether we do a shawl CAL or I just release the pattern as a PDF, here are some photos. I don't know if seeing the photos will make you want to change your vote on the poll. I don't know if you can change your vote on the poll. Somebody try it and let me know. If we do this, I'm shooting for March 15th or so to start. Comments are welcome. I used Caron Spa in Mist or fog or something like that. I think off hand it took 4-5 balls? I'll get all the details for you.