Welcome to the Maude-A-Long!!!

Get Your Knit On, ladies and gents, it's time for Maude.

I love Maude. Courtney, of Smith Island Pattern Factory designed Maude after the death of her beloved beast, Quentin, and Maude is truly a comfort in every way. The stitch pattern doesn't require too much thought, and there's something sing-songy about it - it's hard to describe. The first set of directions suggest that you do your yarnovers by bringing the yarn completely in front of your work as if to purl -- while it's essentially the same thing as the yarnover I normally do, the motion is very different - kind of like seed stitch, but more fluid, very relaxing. The back forth motion is much like rocking - so cozy up in your favorite rocking chair, put your feet up and get your sticks out - it's time to knit Maude.

To avoid a typical Wendy situation - yes, we all know - Fast and Wrong - swatching is a must. Maude is a rather large shawl, but it's really just the right size - the ends, much like wings, envelope you - and you don't want them to be too much smaller. And, you certainly don't want this to be any bigger - there's no need to knit a beadspread. So, to get started swatching - cast on 2 stitches. On the next row, increase into both stitches for four stitches. Then begin your ssk, yo bias stitch pattern.

When you're ready to begin, following the set-up rows, there's a bit of typo in the pattern - don't panic - it's totally not a big deal. When the set up rows are done, the right side row is the row starting with the 2 stitches that form the border, not the stitches on the other end, which are the lace edging chart. So, upon finishing the set up rows, the very next row is your right side row - and the right side row, in the bias stitch pattern begins with ssk, yo to the last 2 stitches, yo, k2. And that's it! Keep knitting!


Tomorrow (well, it's Friday, maybe not tomorrow), but at some point over the weekend I'll post a little picture tutorial of getting started.

You are going to love this pattern!!!