Finished Project: Helm's Deep Shawl

Helm's Deep Shawl

Pattern: Helm's Deep by JoAnne Mottola (My Ravelry Project Page)

Size made: 76" (length); 21" (width)

Craft: Knit 

Materials

Needle used: US 8 (5.0 mm) circular

Yarn used: Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool

Color: 126 Nature's Brown

Yardage Used: 720 yards (659 meters)

Bought yarn from: JoAnn's (for 50% off!!!)

Use yarn again? Yes. It is all wool but it really wasn't bad at all to knit with.  It's a bit rough but honestly, I like knitting with wool much better than soft acrylic or mohair for some reason. I feel like my hands sweat more with the latter types of yarn.  Okay, back to this yarn!  I gave it a good washing after it was all put together and it feels lovely. A little scratchy every now and then but not a problem at all.

Project Details and Feedback

Duration of Project: January 28th to March 2nd, 2011
Made for: Me I'm pretty sure. =]

Modifications: I only did a few modifications for this pattern.  The first one was an accident. I noticed near the end of the knitting that my bobbles aren’t how the instructions say to do them (k1, p1, k1, p1, k1). Instead I somehow managed to be doing k1, k1tbl, k1, k1tbl, k1. They aren’t as clean and it is a bit bigger (I think) but I’m pretty happy with them nonetheless. The other modification I did was that for the middle section (the Moorish Lattice Pattern: Chart 2) I did 3 repeats instead of the 7 called for.  I'm really happy with this decision because it is 76" long with only the 3 repeats.  I am 5'3" (max) so I really didn't need the extra four repeats.  I think that the way it stays on me is really nice and I'm really happy with it.

Make this pattern again?I think that this is such a fun pattern and the result are amazing.  I would love to try this again as a smaller shawl or as a scarf.

Final thoughts/ recommendations:I have no recommendations for this pattern except to trust what she writes in it.  It's very well written and if you just follow her instructions (even if they seem a little odd, and the charts are not the standard way of writing them) you'll get the same result.  I am so happy with her pattern and will have to see if she made more.   

I also have to say it is so fun to knit something inspired from The Lord of the Rings. I had such a great time knitting this and watching the trilogy again and again! =]

 What I learned/practiced in this pattern: I practiced chart reading, 3 needle bind off, SSK (I found out I was doing it wrong before this!) and I realllly worked on my patience and preservation!

Love, 

LeeAnn