What next?

Another imageless post, I am afraid. Sorry!

I have finished both of my lace shawls.
The Mystery Stole 3 Have been finished and washed on Wednesday. I have no blocking wires and do not intent to buy some*. So I just patted it flat very carefully, fold in two as it is huge. The result is stunning. Not very airy, as it has not been pulled out. But a bit more casual, like a big beautiful beaded laced scarf. I may try to string block them the next time, because the edges are not as clean as I wish which hides the beads on the border.
Any way I hope to be able to take some good shot this week-end and show you what is so difficult to explain.

The Kid Silk Haze Shawl That Used to be Birch is having a bath right now. It came out much better than I hoped. I will pin block it, but I don't know how to show off the slightly ruffled border that is so lovely. I have tryed many things with that shawl, and I really think it's amazing how it turned out! I even made a crochet bind-off (scroll down)!

So now: what's next?
- I have the Bonita t-shirt on hold. It misses only one (tiny) sleeve and all the finishing. But I don't feel much inspired by a cotton t-shirt right now...
- I have this hooded cropped cardigan (found on craftsters, cann't find the thread...) that also miss only a few inches on the sleeves. But I have not the right needles for that one. I struggle with two circular INOX. Besides, I know that I will probably frog it at the end. I love the yarn, the color, the pattern. Only, you know, it's not really my style...

I would like to knit:
- Something easy to knit while watching some dumb show online (I need to stop thinking sometimes). A lace shawl is in my mind. (I can't stop that!)
- A cardigan for me, in a yummy wool I love, in a simple but interesting pattern.
- Something for one of my men, little or big. Cause they (mostly) diserve it.

I have some patterns in mind for all those three tasks, but I haven't made up my mind.

Or maybe just a hat, while waiting for the inspiration to come?

I will knit from stash. THAT is certain. So my favourite pattern from the latest Interweave Knits may well be out of the competition. I like this one too. The cabled yoke is pretty amazing. And that man's sweater I know I will knit once. Or sooner. I am not at all surprised by my selection this month. Norah Gaugham, Eunny Yang and Jared Flood are masters of their art, right? I like Kate Gilbert's latest design too. But I'll never wear something so close to my throat, neither would my sister or mother.
You will excuse me. I must return to my pattern browsing...
Have a really nice week-end, dears.

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* I am on a shopping diet. Like all the Refashionistas. Only without a pledge.

a modest basalt tank

In its original incarnation, the Basalt Tank is a quite immodest pretty piece of art.
I absolutely love it, but I though that it may be better if I could actually wear my knitted piece of art at work. So I took inspiration in the clever modifications I found on the knitting nature's kal blog, posted by this talentful woman. Basically, I omitted the lower half of the two side hexagon, and added a garter-stitch / eyelets / garter stitch border at the bottom. I did not do her doubled borders in the neckline and the bottom. I thought they where a bit too heavy for my liking, and changed too much the logical, organic construction of Norah Gaughan's chef d'oeuvre.
It turned out to be really immodest. (no pictures here. I am a modest person)
But totally wearable on a white blouse. (no pictures here either. I am a lazy person)

What to do in the humid, warm weather? I really wanted to wear it alone.
First, I bought a bra.
Then I turned her frontside/back! And now of course I pretend that she was meant to be worn like that 'til the beginning!


1. basalt tank back, 2. basalt tank, 3. basalt tank, 4. basalt tank

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

I am entirely happy with this one. I used a cotton-linen blend I bought twenty years ago. (No, I was not a knitter at all! Apparently I was an aspiring knitter for a few months...) I followed blindly Norah's explications and advices, except when I did not as before-said. I had fun from the beginning until the end. I love wearing it, and it's already been washed two or three times. This one will be worn to death. And I am already looking forward to knit a replacement basalt tank!

Thank you Norah.
Thank you kal's ladies

---(deleted whinings about not having a prettier picture to show you my lovely tank...)---

TKN 2: basalt tank

My actual most beloved WIP is the amazing Basalt Tank, from the amazing Knitting Nature, by the amazing Norah Gaughan. I am knitting it with the oldest yarn in my stash, a linen/cotton 3ply, in a tan colourway. I have great hopes, and I think I am in love.

Mon en-cours favori est le merveilleux Basalt Tank, tiré du merveilleux livre Knitting Nature, de la merveilleuse Norah Gaughan. Je le tricote avec le plus vieux fil de mon stock, un mélange lin-coton couleur peau. J'ai de grands espoirs pour celui-ci, et je crois bien que je suis amoureuse.