Halcyon is storming along and so far, is a very enjoyable knit.

I’ve made both of the peplums, picked up the stitches for the back – VERY carefully and neatly…

From Halcyon

and started rampaging towards the armholes …

From Halcyon

OK I say ‘rampaging’…I probably mean slowly and meticulously plodding through the rows, checking my every step.

Halcyon is fun but it’s not going to be quick!

As there is not much to tell on Halcyon, I thought I’d tell you about the garment guilty of making me the Kidsilk Haze junkie I undeniable am – the Birch Shawl.

I’ve mentioned my problem with KSH several times but most notably in this post – “Cracksilk Haze – I can stop any time I want”

I can tell you, as someone who should be in KSH rehab, one ball is enough to hook you.  I started in big way – a three ball project! There was no hope after that.

It just a random thought –  What would KSH rehab be like? Aversion therapy? Electric shocks delivered by electrodes attached to the ends of your metal knitting needles  if you reach for the soft, fluffy stuff? Group therapy?

” My name is Susan and I own 130 balls of KSH and I am a Cracksilk junkie 😳 ”

So where did it all start? In Rowan Mag 34…

From Birch

There was and article called,  “Clever Ideas”, about snuggling up warm and cosy with knitted things…I instantly fell in love with the atmosphere conjured up by the accompanying picture and decided I had to have the shawl draped indulgently over the hanger.

From Birch

Strangely, all the “birch” pictures on-line use another picture of Birch from the same book, in which you can’t really see the lace pattern and the model looks cold!

From Birch

As well as my first use of KSH, this was also my first real lace pattern- Talk about challenging!

I knit Birch way back in 2004, before Ravelry, before knitting groups before I knew about good quality needles (my God, I shudder at the memory of the cheap circular that twisted into a loop  and caught every stitch!) and before I knew about so many online resources for knitters – I just slogged my way though.

Wanna see my Birch now?

You saw me wearing it with my pink beret…

From Pink Beret

Here’s a better “shawlish” shot – apologies for it being crumpled – It’s been worn a lot!

From Birch

And a close up of the stitch pattern…

From Birch

If you’re wondering, the colour is Dewberry 😉

This is now a massively popular pattern and every one seems to have knit it so I’m not going to bore you with all the ins and outs here. Just google for Rowan Birch and there will be a gazillion hits. Wonderfully, Rowan now have this pattern for free download on their website if you want to try it but be aware – the cast on is 299 stitches! Rowan Free Birch Pattern.

I must just tell you about one incident with Birch though.

Ben and I had a fabulous holiday in the Maldives in December 2004. It was a long flight and this was before the current hysteria about knitting on planes.

I took my nearly completed Birch on the long  flight.

I was finishing off the second to last pattern repeat and getting excited about finishing when Ben knocked half a glass of lager towards me and soaked my Birch.

There was very nearly a justifiable case for banning knitting needles on air planes in 2004 due to air rage and a savage stabbing and strangulation of a passenger with a nasty plastic circular needle!

I managed to restrain myself to rather a lot of sobbing, recrimination and sulking for the next couple of hours. Actually KSH holds up well to being soaked in lager and rinsed in an air plane sink!

It was so hot and humid in the Maldives (fabulous – go if you can!) that Birch didn’t really need any blocking – I just wore and wore it the whole holiday – and pretty much regularly since then!

I really should knit another…I wonder if I have any Kidsilk Haze in my stash?? 😉