After starting two different lace shawls, each rectangular shaped, I've come to the realization that I am a Pi Shawl woman. Or, circular shawl, if you prefer. Perfectly timed as the knitting world celebrates Elizabeth Zimmermann's 100th birthday. There are three Pi Shawls on Ravelry - I chose the Gull Wings Pattern althought the Camping design was very tempting. Here is the designer's sample from the Ravelry page.
And, here are a couple of other knitter's beautiful work that I found inspiring.
At this stage in my Pi Shawl, I need all the inspiration I can get! I have started using the Magic Loop method at the very beginning of a circular shawl. Eventually I will have enough stitches, using Alpaca Cloud in Smoke, to fit around a 24" circular needle normally. Then, I will move up to a 32" circular and that will get me through to the end of my shawl.
I am so much happier working around and around in circles rather than back and forth. Let's hope I will finally be able to knit and finish the shawl because I am in love with this yarn and color!
Aug 14, 2010 at 2:43 PM I love your tutorials Kelley. I just completed the cast on for the Pi shawl and watching your video I got a perfect result. You never intimidate always giving instructions to "not panic you can do this". Thank You so much for all you do to make knitting even more fun.
Aug 13, 2010 at 12:01 PM Hi... Knitting "in the round" is also one of my new favorites. I just finished a baby blanket for my new little granddaughter in the Radiating Star pattern. Since it is for a baby, I used 100% Acrylic so it could be washed and dried frequently. It turned out well and my daughter-in-law just loved it. The Radiating Star pattern would be a fabulous shawl, too!
Aug 13, 2010 at 9:08 AM What a beautiful shawl. I finished and am wearing a leaf-and-trellis rectangular shawl from "Victorian Lace Today" by Jane Sowerby. I knit it in Gloss Sterling from KnitPicks. I get compliments every time I wear it. A woman who attended our knitting group commented at church, "I don't know you, but I know that shawl". What fun! I have 2 projects in needles right now, but a circular shawl will be one of my near-future projects.
Aug 13, 2010 at 8:52 AM Thank you everyone! I'm so glad that I am not just being odd about circular shawls. It's nice to know others enjoy going around and around and around in circles. Hugs, Kelley
Aug 13, 2010 at 8:51 AM Hi Patricia, Cotlin would make a lovely table cloth! What a brilliant idea! Hugs, Kelley
Aug 13, 2010 at 5:15 AM You probably already knew this - but I'm definitly a circular shawl person myself, and I LOVE the mathmatical beauty of the Pi shawl! I think I've done more Pi shawls than any other shape.....
Aug 12, 2010 at 8:48 PM I want to knit one of these beautiful shawls myself, but i really want to use it as a table cloth and am wondering if i can use Knit Picks Cotlin yarn instead of lace-weight yarn. I have a huge round table and would need it to be about 72" to have a decent overhang. Would the pattern still look good using that yarn and bigger needles? Help! :)
Aug 12, 2010 at 7:50 PM I'm with you Kelly, love those PI shawls. I have knit a few rectangular shawls, but always seem to go to the circular shawls for the "love it" factor. The round ones are just more interesting to me. I have also made a few triangular shawls, but circular are my love. Hugs Janet
Aug 12, 2010 at 2:56 PM I asked about the lace pattern changes on the Pi site on EZ/Ravelry--the designer answered the question!! She said that any 9 st. lace could be substituted, that continuing with just Gull Wing would work fine. So now, what do I choose?--There's lots of time to decide as I knit, knit, knit!!
Aug 12, 2010 at 11:32 AM Thanks much, Kelley!!--am approaching the first Gull Wings!! Yahoo!!
Aug 12, 2010 at 11:30 AM Wow! That looks really good. Nice work.
Aug 12, 2010 at 10:50 AM Hi Cellogirl, I think this will help you visualize where you are going with the shawl pattern. 144 stitches rounds Gull Wings - 4 Repeats 288 stitches rounds Vine Lace - 9 Repeats 576 stitches rounds Gull Wings (again) - 10 Repeats Then the border. Hugs, Kelley
Aug 12, 2010 at 9:16 AM Sorry, Kelley, should have read the blog before asking in all of my excitement--it's the same Ravelry blog as the download/pictures? I CO with 3 dps and at 36 stitches went to 5 which gives a clear stretched vision of my work, also a check on my math!! Will switch to the circ needle, fortunately you included the lucite #8 with my sampler of needles, because I don't have the harmony #8--will be a true test of the lucite, do love the stickiness of wood for lace!!
Aug 12, 2010 at 9:11 AM Yea Kelley!! I cast on for my pi shawl this AM after finding 6 balls of Palette whirlpool in my stash!! Reading ahead in the pattern, she says to change to Vine pattern after the 16 rounds of Gull, and after 36 rounds of Vine, she changes to Hearts pattern before the finishing. The picture seems to show just Gull for the 3 sections--is this how you see it? So we just don't change to the other lace patterns, just stay on Gull for the distance? My previous circ shawl knitting was hemi, so I'm needing some experienced guidance--thanks!!
Aug 12, 2010 at 9:06 AM Hi Tara, I use the Emily Ocker cast-on (we have a video tutorial on the Knit Picks site) and then use the Magic Loop method. I use a 32" circular, work up to 144 stitches and then move the whole thing over to a 24" needle. Work until you have too many stitches and move up to the 32" circular again. That will be able to hold all the stitches until you are ready to start the bind-off. Hugs, Kelley
Aug 12, 2010 at 9:04 AM Hi Cellogirl, There is a fabulous Knit Along already established in Ravelry. I'm planning on hanging out over there. That way I will be able to see what is going on with the other two variations of the EZ 100th Anniversary Pi Shawl. I knit and knit on the shawl last night. I do love circular/pi shawls! Hugs, Kelley
Aug 11, 2010 at 7:13 PM BEAUTIFUL Kelley ..Really a Gorgeous Shawl !!! BTW Am Absolutely THRILLED With the TOP DOWN Sweater Im Making My DIL .. Id of NEVER Believed How EASY PEASY They are to Do & FASTTTT as well !! I'll Never 2nd Guess KP again lol lol
Aug 11, 2010 at 9:41 AM I LOVE knitting circular shawls and this one looks like a beauty. May need to add it to my queue since I have too many projects going on already.
Aug 11, 2010 at 7:52 AM I haven't yet done a circular shawl, I'm working on my second triangle shawl and have half a rectangular shawl completed as well. I just keep flinching away from a circular, but I'm not sure why exactly - I think it's the fear of starting. Do you normally recommend starting on a circular or DPNs or...?
Aug 11, 2010 at 5:16 AM Kelly, could you, please, make a knitalong out of this project?--we can face the hurdles together???
Aug 10, 2010 at 8:50 PM I think it's completely amazing! I can't wait to see your progress as you work! Keep going!!!
Aug 10, 2010 at 8:04 PM That shawl is absolutely gorgeous, and I agree with cellogirl what a wonderful tribute to EZ. I am in love with Lace I will have to look up the pattern and try it. Happy Knitting Cheryl
Aug 10, 2010 at 7:43 PM It's a free download, very easy to find, especially through the EZ group. It comes in 3 versions all of which are beautiful, but I agree with Kelley's choice--will dig out the yarn from my KP stash and start tomorrow!!
Aug 10, 2010 at 7:27 PM Fabulous shawl, Kelley--great choice!! With a great yarn in a beautiful color!! Will have to look it up on Ravelry,-- or can you post the pattern on KP? What a wonderful tribute to EZ, whose creativity and ingenity have inspired many of us to unvent to our own out of the box experiences!!