It is the First Day of Summer and I am writing this post out
on our deck – which is something of a miracle considering the dreary drippy
weather we have been having!

And what better way to ring in the summer than to start up a
lace shawl!  Yesterday, I felt inspired to
begin the Lily-of-the Valley lace shawl I had promised myself for my birthday.  That is, I had told myself I could start it
on my birthday – but when my birthday actually came around in mid-May, I felt
too swamped with other projects to take joy in casting on something new.   So, I just petted the yarn (KnitPicks “Canopy”
which is a celebration of greens!) every now and then, waiting for the spirit
to move me.

And, sure enough, move me it did!  Yesterday, I gravitated toward Nancy Bush’s Knitted Lace of Estonia (the pattern is “Triangular
Summer Shawl” – appropriate!) and by evening I was winding yarn and then
swatching.  I found I had to order the
needles – as I wanted Addi Turbo Lace points (32” circular – in size 7 instead
of the size 4 suggested in the book – just shows how important it is to swatch
for gauge!).  So, today, I ordered the
needles – and I can play around with the lily-of-the-valley pattern in the
meantime.  I have notes from Merike
Saarniit’s class “Bobbles, Berries, and Buds” where we learned different ways
of making the nupps  (bud-like
bobbles).  So, I can fuss about with
those for a couple of days.  It is always
a good idea to swatch an unfamiliar pattern – rather than test drive it on 251
stitches!  And, yes, I will be using a
lifeline.

Perhaps before the needles arrive, I can finish a couple of
small projects that are oh-so-nearly-done. 
My Turkish Bed Socks and a baby kimono.  
Seems reasonable.  But regardless,
when the needles come I am casting on the new lace shawl!  It is my (belated) birthday gift to myself!