Bronte Scarf

I know that it says scarf but mine turned out with shawl like proportions. It's a dreamy patttern, the lozenges are a bit tricky but once you get the hang of it, it makes sense. The original was in garter stitch lace.

Pattern Source: Designer: Yarn: # of balls: Notions: Needles: Meterage: Yarn Source: Colour: Size: Started: Finished: Resting Period: Recipient :

Yorkshire Fable Sharon Miller Donegal Tweed 175g none 4.5 mm 100m/25g Liberty 2002 Sale Leaf approx 20inch wide, 72 inches long 29 March 2005 24 April 2005 30 March - 12 April Not sure yet

I love the Donegal tweed. It's a great 4 ply yarn that softens considerably after washing. It seemed like a good idea at the time to buy 30 skeins (it was the sales and it was 50% off). I reckon with 30 skeins I could do at least 2 garments. As luck would have it, Rowan introduced Rowanspun then Yorkshire Tweed. If Donegal Tweed was 8 on a scale of 1-10, Yorkshire Tweed would be an 11. Rowanspun would be a 4, better than a large proportion of yarns on the market, but nowhere near as nice as the Donegal. So when I saw this pattern, last year, I knew that it would only be a matter of time before I made it. It's a fun knit, relatively easy to memorise (once you figure out the lozenges) and fast to finish. If I did this again, I would add 3 garter stitches to the edges and 3 rows of garter on the edging.







Blocking out lacework makes all the difference.

Project Notes


1. The original pattern was in garter stitch lace. My version is in stocking stitch lace. One of the problem with stocking stitch lace is the propensity of it to roll. To stop the edging from rolling, I picked up stitches and did a freehand garter stitch border around the shawl. (By freehand, I mean, I picked up stitches without counting how many).




2. I also changed the edgding instructions because the original pattern had then stitches slanting outwards which was causing a very unatractive ripple in my scarf. I'm sure that this is something to do with the way that I worked them, but this worked for me.




3. Donegal Tweed is a great yarn for felting. To avoid knotting and darning in ends, I spit-splice the balls together. You can't tell where the joins are (honest). The joins are also very firm (honest) and when I rewound the yarn after ripping, it did not come apart and I could not detect where I did the join.




4. Read the errata, there is an error in the chart. It's in the row with yarn-overs before you get to the last row of lozenges for the vast off edge). I was warned so I didn't have to rip that row a few times to figure out whu I didn't have the right number of stitches.

5. The other tip that I have is, the diamond insert in the lozenges, match the center pattern, which is very easy to remember. Once you realise that, the pattern is very easy to memorise.

6. Donegal Tweed is very similar to Yorkshire Tweed (in flecks and meterage), so you should be able to sub 1 for 1. If you're in doubt, get an extra skein. I think that doing it in stocking stitch also makes it bigger If it's not wide enough, add, another 1-2 lozenge in the repeat.






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