Open Leaves Stole, Knitted Lace Shawl, Part 1

The Open Leaves Stole (self designed pattern.)

This is coming out lovlier than I thought it would. Let me explain.

I had a little cardigan that just didn't fit me and I didn't like it, and I couldn't find anything to wear it with. I don't have those 1950s dresses of the style you usually wear them with. You know, the ones that sit at your natural waist, and then you put on a semi fitted cardigan to accentuate the waist of the dress. I plan to have some dresses like that one day, but so far... its not gonna happen. 

Here is what's left of the cardigan.

As for another thing, my boobs had grown since I started knitting it and finished. It wouldn't close even if I knitted on a 

The yarn, Naturally Carons Country in...Foliage, (I think?) was discontinued, so this poorly fitting cardigan sat in my stash for a while. Its a multi ply soft 75% acrylic, 20% merino aran weight yarn. 

I looked around for patterns in my ravelry queue. I looked in my knitting magazines. I looked in my knitting books. The only lace pattern that seemed to fit the bill was Vogue Knitting Book's "Open Leaves" lace pattern.

Born was the Open Leaves Knitted Stole.

I cast on 4 edge stitches in total, and repeated the pattern. I started with a size 7 (4.5mm) needle but determined even that was too small, and soon continued with a size 8 (5mm). The density of the fabric is noticeable between the two needle sizes but I plan to block the ever living heck outta this stole. Heavier yarns can take heavier blocking. I'm thinking wet steam blocking.

Why? Multi ply cabled yarns hold their shape a lot moreso than 3 ply, 2 ply, or singles yarn. It takes a little more 'force' to open up those lacy bits and keep them open. I know this from experience.

 We'll see! 1 ply yarn opens up very easily. 2 ply less so. 3 ply takes a bit more stretching.

I prefer to knit (or crochet) my lace to a tight gauge and then have it open up during the blocking process. I like a firm yet drapey fabric.

I cut this yarn so many times, IDK what I was even thinking. HOW AND WHY. Why would I do that back when I was making this yarn into a cardigan? Probably because my stash was a mess and the yarn got tangled. I will have so many ends to weave in at the end of this project. I'm not weaving them in as I go in case I actually decide to unravel THIS project. (I'm praying I won't.)

Here's the back with some of the ends I will have to weave in.... 

This year has been weird in the case of knitting for the holidays. 2020 is weird like that. IDK. So mostly, I've been knitting for myself and charity, only a few items for family that I may post later.

Take care of yourselves.

jtp/mnr