Monday, June 18, 2007

Lizard Ridge Complete!

It is finally finished! I completed the edging this weekend. It feels so good to have this project complete. I think it is the largest most involved knitting project I've done (and completed) to date. I'm very happy with the final results.

When I started this project last year, I assumed that it would take a long time to finish. It did take awhile to finish, but I've had other projects languish on my needles for a much longer time period. So I am pleasantly surprised and satisfied with the working time for this project.

The seams turned out okay. It is the main skill I hope to improve on with later projects. This is the first project I've finished that required seaming and wasn't felted. You can see in the photo above a few places where the purple Cascade I used for the seaming shows.

I had also never knit a short row before this project. After 24 afghan squares made up of short rows, I am now confident I can knit short rows in other projects. Other than getting the hang of that, the pattern was really simple. In fact after a square or two, you don't really have to look at the pattern at all.

I deviated from the pattern only with the border portion. I decided that a crocheted edge wasn't going to work for me for a couple of reasons. One - I don't crochet and two - it is a knitted blanket and it seems like it should have a knitted edge. So I added a 3 stitch applied i-cord border around the outside edge. I was able to get that done in one day and it took a lot less yarn than I ever thought it would. I used a turquoise color Cascade 220. I still have over half of the skein left.

I love the idea of knitting blankets and afghans and I love Noro Kureyon. Although I must say, I do think this is the only blanket I'll knit out of Kureyon. I did wash all the squares before seaming and they did get a little softer, but it still doesn't seam like something you want to cozy up with next to bare skin.

I've decide not to line the backside of the blanket either. Somehow that just doesn't seem the right thing to do. So I've found a nice place to display the blanket. I can enjoy looking at it and if you have tougher skin than me, you'll always be welcome to wrap up with it.

Project Info
Pattern: Lizard Ridge by Laura Aylor from Knitty.com
Yarn: Noro Kureyon - 24 different colors (I do have leftovers from each skein)
Cascade 220 for seaming and edging
Needles: addi TURBO -US# 8 (5.0mm)
Finished Dimensions: 42" wide / 63" long
Pattern Modifications: I didn't add a crocheted border, instead I used a 3 stitch applied i-cord edging; I used US #9 needles for the edging
Start Date: November 11, 2006
Finish Date: June 17, 2007

41 comments:

cpurl17 said...

WOW.

bockstark.knits said...

oh my! that is so pretty!!!!

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful. You did a really wonderful job. I bet in the winter, when it's really cold and you have lots on, you might not mind wrapping yourself in it. Meanwhile, it looks great on the Rocking Chair.

Knitting in Pink said...

All I can say is: What a wonderful job, beautiful blanket!

Margot said...

Gorgeous!

And I agree with the previous commenter. If it's cold enough to wrap up in a wool blanket, it's likely that you'll have long pants + sleeves on so you won't mind that the afghan isn't soft.

Mine just needs seaming, I better get to it!

Sue J. said...

Congratulations!! The Lizard Ridge is gorgeous, and you are to be complimented on fishing such a daunting project. So here's an Attagirl and a pat on the back and kudos. Job well done.

IrishGirlieKnits said...

WOW!! Absolutely gorgeous! I love love love this blanket! Kureyon might not be the snuggliest yarn, but when it gets cooler, and you're all bundled around the house, you'll love this blanket! Love the display too!

Anonymous said...

FANTASTIC blanket... Wowzer! It really is lovely!

Elizabeth said...

It's really amazing! Great work. And good for you for persevering through a long project.

turtlegirl76 said...

Amazing! To see it all come together has got to be so very gratifying. Wonderful job.

Batty said...

It's breathtakingly beautiful. Happy and colorful and warm, just like a blanket is supposed to be.

Deb said...

It's really gorgeous! How proud you must feel to have completed it!

eusebius said...

Stunning. I love the i-cord edging - it's a perfect, polished finish. The colours just radiate warmth!

Trillian42 said...

Beautiful! And I love the applied icord edge - what a great idea!

Heather said...

Beautiful blanket! I bow down to the greatness that is you in completing something so big. :)

Anonymous said...

It is lovely! I love all the different colors you used. Really, just superb. (Enough to convince me that another afghan might not be a bad idea - and that's saying something!)

gilraen said...

Stunning!! Beautiful and I love the personal finish you added. Well done. It looks perfect on the Rocking Chair. In fact like it was always there :)

It is something wonderful to aspire to :)

GURO said...

Another WOW from me! It is stunning!

Bezzie said...

Love it!!

I love the applied i-cord border too--great idea!

Monika said...

Congratulations! It's wonderful! You did a great job with the I'cord, the Cascade works wonderful as a border. I'm so happy for you!!!

Ruth said...

Well done .... it's beautiful.

Unknown said...

It's beautiful! And the seams look great. congratulations!

Stacey said...

that is beautiful!!! love the bright colors you chose!

PurlingPirate said...

Woot!! Looks awesome!!!

Knit Masala said...

Wow, that turned out beautifully! Congrats on finishing it!

Anonymous said...

GORGEOUS!

knottygnome said...

it looks fabulous! i might have to steal your edging idea for mine (if i ever get around to working on it)

Zonda said...

Just Fabulous!! I love the edging especially! So glad you had enough yarn! Phew, I bet you are so glad it is done! Enjoy it! :)

Meghann said...

GORGEOUS!!!! I thought about making it, but I wasn't sure I'd be able to finish it! LOL

Dame Wendy said...

This has to be by far my favorite Lizard Ridge blanket. It's amazing!

Anonymous said...

Truly a wonderful looking blanket.
The colors are gorgeous and the border is perfect on it. It is the prettiest one I've seen. You should be very proud of yourself. (keep the cats away from it!)
Yea....you're done!!!

Ducktastic said...

That is amazing! I'm dying to make Lizard Ridge, and this just makes me want to even more! What a gorgeous blanket. :)

Leslie said...

What an awesome blanket! It's truly stunning.

smelk-o-matic said...

Soooooo pretty!! Inspiring.

Smiles,
Erin

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

wow! it's beautiful! I'm very impressed! congratulations

Stacie said...

AWESOME!!!!! I like the new header too!

Theresa said...

Wow, this is so pretty. I'm so happy for you that you finished it!

Anonymous said...

That is SO cool Shannon - Congratulations :) What an awesome blanket (and a big accomplishment to boot!) I love it!!

Twisted Knitter said...

It's a gorgeous blanket! You did a wonderful job!

Virtuous said...

It looks wonderful! I am working to finishing up mine now! I may have to consider the I-cord edging now...mmmh

A Crafty Lawyer said...

That is just gorgeous! If only Kureyon were softer (sigh).