Anansi Bookmark

This bookmark was inspired by one I saw in the book Joanne Yordanou’s Twelve Months of Knitting. I wanted to make it for my secret pal in the Intercambio Aracnido. But later on, while leafing through A Treasury of Knitting Patterns I came across the spider stitch. Immediately I decided that I would make the bookmark, but in the spider stitch in keeping with the spider theme.

The bookmark took about 90 minutes total to make, however, it took me three days of frustration to get it done. I made the mathematical calculations, translated the pattern to a chart, made several swatches, tried three different yarns, needles, and numbers of repeats. The pattern is a 12-row repeat and rows 8 and 12 were just not coming out right. Could Barbara Walker have made a mistake on it or was there something I just wasn’t getting?

I love the mathematical side of knitting, so I don’t mind problem-solving. It’s just that I was stressed out because the deadline to send the package had already passed and I had a lot of other things to do at the same time.

The photo with the green background is the practice piece (worsted weight acrylic yarn, size 7US/4.5 mm needles). The one with the red background is the one that will be part of the exchange gift (lace weight mohair, size 0US/2 mm needles).

I’ve named this bookmark after the main character of a series of West African folk tales who is a mischievous spider.

My First Major Lace Project

Who knew I would fall madly in love with an isosceles triangle?

yarn: Patons Kroy Sock, 75% wool 25% nylon, 2 skeins each of Flax (light brown) and Hickory (dark brown)
needles: 4.5 mm/US 7
pattern: Nancy Wiseman’s Lavender Linen Shawl
comments: The pattern suggested eleven repeats. I only made ten because I ran out of yarn. I almost went out and bought one more ball, but decided not to. Good thing, too, because it doubled in size upon blocking. I was pleasantly surprised.

I did not plan for this to be a two-color shawl, but the color I’d begun with was discontinued, so I went on with a second color. At first I was worried that it would look odd, but I showed it to a few friends and they especially liked the two-color feature.

This project was challenging, satisfying and it helped me become better at reading my knitting. It also changed the way I purl (I was a combination knitter). I enjoyed every bit of it. Even near the end when the rows got really long. The absolute best part was when I blocked it after soaking it. Pure magic. Once it dried I danced around, tried it on with a few dresses, then danced around some more. Can’t wait to make another one!

Whiskers was there when I bound off the last stitch. She tried it on so I could see how it looked and was a great encourager and cheerleader. I’m telling you, she was almost as excited as I was. It’s so important to have friends who understand and support our fiber madness. Thank you, Whiskers!

Meausrements: The base of the triangle = 90 in/228 cm. The height of the triangle = 43 in/109 cm.

[photo 1: the beginning, photo 2: shawl drying, photo 3: close-up of colors, photo4: finished, but unblocked]