The guy who programmed the HVAC in my office is a sadist. I say this having never met the person — it’s possible “he” could be a very loving grandmother of six. Still, regardless of gender or familial status, I maintain that the HVAC programmer is a right sadist because every day, regardless of the outside temperature, I sit under a blower spilling out 32°F air and I freeze.
The remedies run the gamut of my wardrobe: lightweight jackets, scarfs, shawls, hoodies and the black overcoat from 1995 that I’m never getting rid of, ever.
Arroyo’s another soldier in my battle against the cold — slightly more professional than say, the torn black hoodie with the hot pink Anarchist symbol that I normally prefer. It was also salvo against triangle shawls. As beautiful as they are, I don’t find them to be wearable. Throw a triangle around my shoulders and it’s Hello, Aunt Sally, how are all your cats?
Designing the pattern was fun. During the last weeks of 2010, I played around with graph paper and an Estonian lace compendium, and I swatched. I swatched a lot. I think I’ve previously mentioned that I hate swatching. I swatched like crazy here. Every free moment was spent swatching, or blocking a swatch, or pinning up a swatch at my desk and pestering coworkers about the latest swatch.
(I still hate swatching.)
Once I had a lace pattern that I liked, it was a matter of deciding on the wrap’s particular shape and then knitting like the dickens until it was done.
January 10th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Thanks for sharing your beautiful pattern! It’s lovely!
January 17th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
I also hate swatching. I’m more a jump right in kind of girl.
January 28th, 2011 at 11:31 am
And may I thank you for your swatching binge? Really lovely piece, thank you for sharing. Oh, and I think that sadistic grandmother’s sister sets the HVAC in my old office. I used to threaten weenie roasts and bonfires some days.
March 3rd, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Started Arroyo, ripped out Arroyo and here’s my question. If you divide the 21 stitches that is the chart into the 241 cast on stitches you get 11.476…..
Is the amount of cast on stitches incorrect? Am I missing something? Is this a typo? Should it really be 231?
Are there stitches missing? Is there a stitch outside of the chart? Do I need my head examined??
March 23rd, 2011 at 11:14 am
I am having the same problem. No matter what I do, this is how it works out (same as Pam above).
April 1st, 2011 at 9:15 am
For starters I have yet to cast on but I’ve been reading everything I can find about this pattern. On ravelry I read notes on someone’s project page that they missed the pattern repeat on the chart. If you printed your pattern on a black and white printer it wouldn’t pick up the red box. So it’s 5 stitches then 10 stitches(pattern repeat) ending with 6 stitches. Does that help?
April 8th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
I’m starting the body of the shawl. I’ve finished the lace…made a few mistakes, but, hopefully, they’re not too noticeable. I’ve got some questions about setting up shaping and short row shaping. How can I contact you for answers? I’ve got a web cam and skype so I can show you where I am on the piece.
August 8th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
I’ve got some of the same questions tha Ymana does, is there any way to see your reply? I’m quite confused by the directions. I can do the lace ok but then it seems like it’s upside down and just don’t know where to go with the shaping. I just love the pattern but quite understand it. Thanks.
August 8th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
I confused with directions. I finished the lace but then I am confused. Row 1 -knit 125 stitches turn work…..(but I have 241 stitches) Help!!!!!!!
August 8th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Ditto to the last 3 posts! I’m having trouble with the short row shaping.
September 7th, 2011 at 6:15 am
I am knitting this in an alpaca/silk blend and oh my gosh am I loving it. I love the construction, casting on the longest part first-knowing that the longer I knit on it, the faster it will go. How cool is that? I can’t wait to finish this and wear it. Thanks so much for the beautiful pattern.
October 27th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
I’m also having difficulty understanding the short row shaping. Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
March 6th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Hi, Sarah,
I’m making Arroyo now in a color very similar to yours, in Periwinkle Sheep’s merino/cashmere/nylon sock yarn. It is so yummy, I’m going to be sorry when I’m done, and I may have difficulty with the intended gifting to my daughter’s counselor! Thank you so much for this clever pattern. Hope you, Miss Harriet and her daddy are enjoying familyhood! I’m drmarla on ravelry–so that you can see my work when it’s posted.