As you can tell from my last post, Survivor Shawls are my favorite project ever. I loved everything about them. I loved the gorgeous pink yarn. I loved the relaxing rhythm of the pattern. I loved putting different yarns together to make the Magic Balls (more to come on this fabulous discovery). I loved the journey and the outcome which you can see in the picture of my first Casting for Recovery donation. I also loved becoming a Pink Yarn Collector. I am always on the look out for that unique skein of pink yarn with a different color or texture or sparkle to add to my collection. Since I was only purchasing one skein, price was no object. Beautiful, unique and the "I love it" factor were really the only criteria.
I am excited to share this project. It is so simple but so intriguing. I remember when I told my sister-in-law what I was going to do (knit 17 shawls), she said, "You'll be bored silly after two." After 60, I was never bored. I think that was because of the excitement of the Magic Ball and the joy of where the shawls were going.
You will need #15 circular needles and 10 to 15 different skeins of beautiful pink yarn. That's it. Now let's make a Magic Ball.
Cut your yarn into 5 yard to 25 yard pieces equal to about 400 yards. They don't have to be exact they just have to be varied. Wind your yarn into little balls. Now organize your yarns in a color blend which is beautiful. Begin with a worsted weight which is your anchor yarn. You will use this a couple more times and to bind off. This gives you your color theme. Lay all of the little balls out and line them up like they will appear on the shawl, taking care not to put very thin fibers next to each other or very thick fibers. When you love your blend of colors begin tying together. Tie with an over hand knot leaving about a four inch tail. The tail will become an embellishment on the right side of the shawl. Wind the yarn into a ball as you go. Remember, you are going to cast on and bind off using the same worsted weight yarn. I have a giant yarn winder so I always rewind to make a "pull from the center" ball. That way you don't end up chasing your ball of yarn around the room.
This shawl is knit end to end.
Cast on 120 or more stitches using the cable cast on or other stretchy method. Long tail cast on is much too tight. Now knit every row until shawl is desired width. It is so beautiful to watch the change of color with the change of yarn. Cast off very loosely. Some times it is a good idea to use one size larger needle to bind off if you tend to bind off tight. If your magic ball runs out of yarn cut more. If it is the width you want and you still have lots of yarn, that's ok, too.
Steam stretching the fabric a bit to give it a lacy look.
Fringe.
That's it. Isn't that the easiest project ever!