In between knitting plain stockinette, whether flat (Austin Hoodie) or in the round (numerous socks), I decided to cast on something with lace to break the monotony. Since giving away the first Swallowtail Lace Shawl I made, I have always wanted to knit another one for myself. I let the family choose the colourway, and both my husband and daughter said the lilac was good so I settled with the Dylon-dyed skein of Wollmeise Twin and cast on for my very own Swallowtail Shawl.

It didn’t take that long, not really. When I cast on, it was at the start of a Supernatural Season 5 marathon with the family. I loved watching the show again, and before I knew it I’d done 10 repeats of the Budding Lace pattern after 15 episodes! The rest of the shawl was knitted on and off in the next couple of weeks. Yesterday afternoon, it looked like this: a scrunchy mess of lavender.

Because I added 5 more repeats of the Budding Lace as per the mods used and shared by Pepperknit a few years ago, I ran the risk of running out of yarn. Even though the Wollmeise had a generous 510 yards per skein. In the end I had to omit the Scalloped Lace Edge altogether and even the last purl row of the Lace Border.

This was how much yarn I had left after I finished binding off, very loosely too on 5.5mm needles. I used 4mm throughout the shawl and changed to the larger needles 3 rows from the end.

It was a very close call but I’m glad I did the modifications because I ended up with a fairly large shawl, which was what I wanted from the start.

It will come in handy when we go to the movies, or in cold restaurants and malls. This will see frequent use esp during winter. I love this shawl! Oh and the best thing about this pattern? It’s absolutely free! See the link below.

Project: Bridging the gap (Ravel me!)
Pattern: Swallowtail Lace Shawl by Evelyn A. Clarke
Yarn: Wollmeise Sockenwolle 80/20 Twin, used about 499 yards
Colourway: Almost Purple, dyed with Dylon
Needles: 4mm and 5.5.mm (used on the last 3 rows)
Cast on: 26 June 2010
Cast off: 10 July 1010
Notes: As mentioned above, sorry too lazy to type it all up again.