Thursday, May 20, 2010

A finished object!

So we've been home from hospital for a week today (OMG a week today! Hasn't that flown!) and I have actually managed to do a wee bit of knitting. Not much mind, only about 10 rows, but enough to finish my qiviuk scarf. Which I'm counting as a win!
You probably won't recall (as it was over a year ago) but DrK picked up a teeny tiny ball of qiviuk yarn for me when she was in the UK - only 28g but a very nice 218yd/199m of laceweight softness. I decided on this scarf as the best way to use it, and now that it's done, I need some advice (which I'll get to shortly!)

Details
Pattern: Scroll lace stitch pattern - which is the same as that used in Anne Hanson's Alhambra scarf - but which can be found free on the internet (here, for example). I really like this pattern, although it is lace on both sides (with a p2tog tbl thrown in just for extra "fun"!).
Yarn: Windy Valley Muskox Qiviuk, colour 3005 burgundy - a reddish brown ball of softy soft softness. I managed to get just over a metre of scarf out of the 28g of yarn, which is a nice length for the mild winters we get here. And oh my, it is lush stuff. Have I mentioned how soft it is?
Sticks: 4mm bamboo straights - old school!

Time: 12 April 2009 - 19 May 2010 - I don't know why, but after leaving this for ages, I suddenly picked it up again a few weeks ago and worked on reasonably solidly. And if I hadn't gone into labour two Saturdays ago, it would have been done then! Not that I've needed to wear it in the last two weeks anyway!
My question is, do I block or not? I really like the textural look of the stitch pattern (both front and back) as is, but I do wonder if the already soft yarn will become even softer with a wash. And will it look nicer with the pattern blocked out too? I've pinned it out to give you an idea of how it would look:
Tell me dear blog friends, what do you think? Block or no?

34 comments:

Bells said...

oh yes, block it. It's nice as it is but I think the blocking will be stunning!

Anonymous said...

I think block. It is truly lovely but looks more like entrelac unblocked. I think it needs some breathing space, just for the drape. And so you can get it even softer. Which doesn't seem possible because it really is the most decadent thing ive ever smooshed! And yay for a finished object, despite all those untimely distractions! !

mooncalf said...

I vote for block too.

I'm sure there's a pun in here somewhere about block voting but it is too early in the morning for my brain to work it out..

MadMad said...

I vote for both: wearing it this way for a while, then, when you want a "new" scarf, blocking it. Blocking will make it longer, too, if you want it to. Do you know I am a third of the way into a scarf in this pattern myself? (I think I got the idea and free pattern link from you, actually!) I love how it looks, but I have a hard time sticking with it - I don't know if it's the lace on two sides thing, or the fact that I haven't quite memorized the pattern and need to bring the paper and look every time thing, but something prevents me from just carrying on. Maybe seeing your gorgeous one will be enough to motivate me!

kgirlknits said...

I'm saying block too - even if just a little to open it up a bit

gorgeous!

and congrats for surviving your first week ;)

Leonie said...

Gorgeous scarf. I'm with MadMad, try it this way and then maybe block it if you want something different one day. Also unblocked it might actually hug your neck more which I only thought about because it has been freezing here in the mornings!

Donna Lee said...

Can you block it lightly? I love the textural look of the unblocked scarf. It makes it look soft and inviting. Maybe just a bit to open up the lace but keep the bumpiness.

And yes, the time flies by. Before you know it, your child will be an adult and you'll be scratching your head saying "how did that happen?"

Michelle said...

Block it, but just "enough". I'm into not overblocking everything these days. I don't like to lose my stitch definition!!

Well done on your first week home, too.

Alrischa said...

You may as well block it. You're going to have to wash baby vomit off it eventually anyway ;)

roxie said...

I'm in Madmad's camp. Have it both ways!

I was wondering what you were thinking with so many,many projects started. Now I see! You don't need to shop and decide. All you need to do is finish. You're set for a year, at least. Clever you!

Cathy said...

I'm firmly in the "block it" camp. That said, if you don't like it blocked, just give it a quick soak and lay it flat and you're back to texture. :)

Mereknits said...

I vote for blocking. I have some quiviet yarn that I am too afraid to use. Silly I know, but I am.
Good luck, Meredith

Alwen said...

I have had lace that I liked better unblocked, too. Qivuit is so soft, isn't it? I've only seen it to pet, so far.

Geek Knitter said...

Block it block it block it!

's lovely, by the way!

Anonymous said...

Best of both worlds here. Wear it a bit, then have a change :)
xLois

Sarah said...

Eek eek - gently with the blocking - I love that texture. I'm thinking this might be THE pattern for THE yarn I can't find THE perfect scarf pattern for! Love it so much and you are amazing in finding any time for knitting

LynS said...

I vote to try it unblocked for a while. I think it looks more casual unblocked - you don't have to wear it so carefully.

I was a bit surprised when I opened this post - it's suspiciously pinkish - though red is notoriously difficult to photograph!

Well done on the finishing. Augurs well for your knitting continuity.

Yarna said...

I'm in the two ways camp - wear it for a while then block.
Well done on finishing it in the first week home!

missfee said...

I'm with Sue - and like it blocked and unblocked - and blocked lightly then more full on.

I think when you are ready a wash will and a lay out to start with to let the yarn bloom and go from there.

I can't quite make out the colour - is it burgundy?

Susanne said...

I think blocking will be good, it will grow quite a bit though, especially wider.

Then again it does look good unblocked too......I'm afraid it's going to have to be up to you to decide.

Well done too on getting some concentrating knitting done on your first week home with baby. That's a brilliant effort!

Lea said...

I am totally outnumbered but I like it better unblocked - the texture is just gorgeous

Ruby Girl said...

It is beautiful, it is similar to the scarf I knit for my mum, and I was in two minds whether to block or not, I did block and it looks amazing. I do like your scarf unblocked, but I think it will look amazing blocked as you will see all the pattern detail.

Lynne said...

Gorgeous! A member of our Guild group was given 24g of qiviut for Mothers' Day (from her daughters) - she thought she'd knit a neck warmer and ended with a scarf!

Donyale said...

I've made that lovely scarf and I think it's nicer unblocked as it is really an amazing texture.

Well done on week 1.....

kim said...

What a fabulous, little luxury scarf! But, um, there is a little someone I'd like to meet...

Anonymous said...

Look at you, fitting in knitting time and all! I don't even have any wee ones and don't have the time. I like it blocked but unblocked, it's still pretty.

Probably Jane said...

I'm another of the unblocked minority - I prefer the natural, textural quality of the fabric. I'm worried that blocking would make it look rather conservative and bland. Lovely scarf though!

Ann said...

I vote block as it will reveal the lovely stitch pattern. I have knitted with qiviut & it blocks well & still remain so soft.

Gidgetknits said...

I vote no block - I love the textured appearance and am itching to cast one on!

Linda said...

Its lovely! I am amazed that you are knitting! I vote block ... it will make it bigger and lovely and still smooshy!

Kathy Kathy Kathy said...

I like it unblocked. It wowed me the second I opened the page. I came from Caffeine Girl's page.

catsmum said...

block ... definitly block
more for length than for width

ali@skeinsherway said...

Honestly, I'd wear it for a while unblocked, because I'm totally impatient :-)
Then I'd probably block it as soon as I got the next scarf off the needles, hehe :-)

Congrats on the beautiful baby cakes!!

Anonymous said...

No.