I’ve always admired knitting bloggers for the sheer speed at which they must knit to maintain a regular posting schedule. I am not that quick a knitter, so today I’m sharing a WIP (work in progress) with you.
The pattern is the Hansel Half Hap by Gudrun Johnstone, as mentioned in my winter knitting plans post.* A hap, as I’ve learned, is a shawl knit in a construction particular to the Shetland Isles – a garter square edged with a picked-up lace border, forming a rectangle which is folded in half to be worn. This particular variation can be knit in a full blanket or half shawl variation. I briefly dallied with the idea of knitting a massive blanket in which to ensconce myself in winter, but came to my senses with the realisation that I would never finish a project that size in 4ply yarn!
So, the half hap it was, in a kit from Ysolda’s shop. I must say, I’m disproportionately attracted to knitting patterns by the colours used in the sample. And when they’re conveniently available in a kit, with all the hard work of colour-choosing done for me, I can’t resist.
The hap is knit in three sections: centre triangle, lace border and edging. It started well enough, but for one reason or another I found myself stuck in the lace section, despite having knit feather-and-fan on many previous occasions. Perhaps it was the way the pattern was written/charted, brain fog or a combination of both, but I kept getting the pattern out of alignment and my markers out of whack.
I’ve finally gotten into the rhythm of the pattern** but have had to put the project aside due to a wrist injury. I’d love to dive back into it, but each time I try I injure myself further (damned repetitive motion). So this is sitting patiently in my knitting basket, waiting for me to return to those soothing, rhythmic, repetitive waves.
*Which obviously did not go to plan, given it’s basically summer.
**Don’t you think knitting is a lot like music?
This has educated me as I had no idea what a ‘half hap’ was. I’m sorry it causes such issues with the hands/wrists but I do hope you continue to enjoy the WIP, looking forward to seeing the finished gem! I also hope you eventually do a gigantic (I mean gigantic, I want a huge one) blanket to ensconce yourself in, that would be awesome! 🙂
Caz xx
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The knitting isn’t the cause – I injured my wrist performing another activity but it’s prevented me from doing much with it. Hopefully when it heals knitting won’t be a problem again. A massive blanket would be cool!
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Yes, knitting is like music and knitting is also like meditation, I think. Thanks for the Half Hap information!
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I agree on both of those points, Janet!
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