The next big thing

I often wonder what project will catch the blog world by storm and become the next "big thing"-- the next Jaywalkers, Rogue or Clapotis. Since both Cara and Wendy have mentioned it, I wonder if the Casino Shawl is going to be next. If so, I want to go on the record and say that I fell in love with it early-- before the madness begins.

I first saw the Casino Shawl on my first walk-through at Rhinebeck. I bought enough Sea Pearl yarn from Briar Rose fibers on that Sunday. The colors are not exactly what Jody would call "Christy colors." I think Michelle was surprised by this yarn as well. It's a little hard to describe-- rusty red and olive seem to be the main colors.

This weekend, I ordered the pattern online. The customer service when I ordered the pattern was superior. It was really fabulous. Either I just caught Anne at a good time, or she is on the internet all the time. A few hours after I received the pdf (less than 10 minutes after I sent my payment via paypal), I emailed Anne with a small error I found in the chart. She emailed me back quickly thanking me for the feedback. This, my friends, is the beauty of bloggers as designers.

I used this guide for my provisional cast on- I love Theresa! I could use a tutorial on how to NOT have the yarn totally tangled together while doing this cast on but even with the tangles, I like it better than that damned crochet chain which, for the life of me, I can never unzip.

This is one of those shawls where you cast on the top edge and the rows get shorter as you progress. I've completed 11 rows so far. I like the idea that as I get closer to the end, the rows will be knit more quickly-- there's some great satisfaction in that. Those 20 minute rows at the end of Icarus were torture to an impatient knitter like me!

Comments

[natalja]

Sorry for a non-knitting related comment, but ... is this LEKSVIK from IKEA? I have the same table!
Greetings from Germany
natalja

[naomi]

Yup, Anne is very good with feedback. (I'm planning to knit her Sangria skirt.)

And I agree, the Casino Shawl is lovely...and those are some of my favorite colors, so I'm sure yours'll be great. :)

[anne]

oh man! let's hope so! i love the color of sea pearl you picked! can't wait to see more. and yes, it is WONDERFUL when the rows get shorter as you go—it makes knitting that second or third one seem not so crazy . . .

[Kate]

THis is the first I've seen of this shawl (yes I live under a rock) It is BEAUTIFUL!! I may HAVE to buy this pattern if only to stare at it's beauty! On another note I've been itching to knit some lace... maybe this is it?

[jody]

you're such a trendsetter ;)

[Lolly]

I will officially remember that you were among the first! :) It is a pretty shawl!

[Amy]

Wow. I can tell how out of the loop I am because this is the first I've seen of the Casino shawl. It's gorgeous. I'm so glad I popped in and caught this entry! And, LOVE the colorway you're using.... even if it's not typical you! I'm sure you'll find just the right book to curl up with when wearing it... or just the right sunset to see... (Since I'm in the middle of a rows-get-longer shawl, the idea of one worked long-edge down sounds really nice about now!)

[Cara]

I got my Sea Pearl today!!!! I can't wait to cast on. Can I ask - what size needles are you using? This is the first time I will be making a shawl that starts from the long end to the short end. Fun times, I think. ;-)

Can't wait to see how yours progresses. The yarn is beautiful!