Unfortunately, though, I have an uncomfortable feeling I need to frog it and start over. As is, it's going to be too small and I'm not seeing that my attempts at increasing its size are helping significantly. So...like a good crocheter I decided to make a swatch. Nevermind that I should have done that before beginning to crochet. Details, details... I'm doing it now and that's the important thing. Live and learn. Always learning...
This swatch of 16 stitches across and 12 rows high is supposed to be 3 inches square. Well, it's neither 3 inches wide, nor square, so no wonder my shawl is turning out small. I'm planning on starting over with a larger hook and making the beginning row longer. I've never made a crescent shawl before so this is a bit of an experiment, but I've crocheted enough of this one that I have a pretty good feeling that these modifications will work. I have nothing to lose, anyway, and I will post here when I've made progress on my do-over attempt.
I'm just about finished with Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. This historical fiction tells the story of one of America's strange social experiments. From 1853 - into the 1920's children on the east coast who had been orphaned or otherwise abandoned were loaded onto trains to travel hundreds of miles to the Midwest - perhaps further - where they were placed with families whose only qualifications to take these children were that they showed up and filled out the paperwork. While some children's lives were most assuredly saved through this endeavor, many children were undoubtedly abused and suffered greatly - on top of whatever traumas that had left them homeless to begin with.
picture source: http://www.thecommunitypaper.com/archive/2010/11_11/index.php
In this book you will see the experience through the eyes of young Niamh, a girl who, within 2 years of landing in America from Ireland, lost her family and everything she held dear, and without ceremony was boarded onto a train headed for Minnesota. There is good and bad in the pages of this story, and one is reminded how strong the human spirit can be. It is a captivating read and one I recommend.
Check out Ginny's Small Things Yarn Along to see what other yarnies are making and reading.
Good luck with the reworking of your shawl. The yarn colour is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThe book sounds interesting, sorry about the shawl as it looks gorgeous, but best done again if it means you will use it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lucy. I am taking a break and will revisit the pattern later. Possibly with a different yarn. I do think it's pretty - and it really shouldn't be difficult at all.
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