Yarn Along - Another Liddy Shawl

I wanted to have a fun knitting project to work on while I helped Liddy get used to living in the barn last week.  I always like to try a pattern with something new to me and this time picked a ruffle.  The yarn is some beautiful Cotswold yarn from Nistock Farms and the pattern is Jadyn Shire by Lynn di Christina.

Liddy and I worked on the shawl together or I should probably say I knit and Liddy tried to steal and chew on the needles and rip everything back out.  We worked in the B A R N and out in the paddock. After a day or so I added Blossom to the mix  and then several days later added Lila in, too.  And by the end of the week Liddy was pretty well set and I had a new shawl and a couple of new skills :-).

By the way, I started the shawl a few days before we moved to the barn.  I did get a little faster knitting with this project, but not a 'shawl in a week' faster ;-).

Here's where things got a bit disappointing.  The shawl started at the top center and built down, back and forth, longer and longer.  Doing this left a big hump at the top - actually way taller than it looks here.  I should have taken the picture looking down on it instead of at an angle that minimized it...  I was sure it would never block out straight.  Still, you know I loves to block me some knitting ;-).

Even if it didn't need an aggressive block, after spending a week in the barn with Liddy, it needed a good wash.  I used fairly hot water and my favorite Mrs. Meyer's lavender laundry soap.  I let it soak a good long time - around 25 minutes - changed the water and let it soak again, changed the water and added a tiny bit of lavender fabric softener and gave it a final rinse.  Wrapped it in a towel and headed to the porch.

I again used my de-lux insulation boards and floral pins.  I keep toying with getting a set of blocking wires, but for now, these work just fine.  I started at the top by pulling the right and left tight enough that the top line became straight, pinning as I went.  I then pulled down the bottom center and pinned that.  I then started working my way out on each side until magically it all laid flat and smooth and...

... straight!  Honestly, I was a bit surprised.  I really didn't think that would work.  And notice how all the wonky stitches from the top picture look nice and tidy now?  Always block your knitting!

I wasn't sure how to block the ruffle so I just futzed around with it a bit and let it do what it wanted.  I think it looks pretty good, but would welcome some better suggestions.

Pats on the back for everyone :-D.

After listening to A Man Called Ove (now twice), I could hardly wait for the release of Fredrick Backman's new book, My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry.  I listened to the audio sample on Audible and was a little concerned.  I thought about getting the actual book and just reading it myself, but really wanted something to listen to while I knitted.  Not to worry.  The reader was wonderful.  They just picked an odd spot to sample.  The story was fabulous!  

Joining in with Ginny...