I recently finished blocking my Citron Shawl.  I’ll have to admit that I was glad to finally be done with this one.  The rows of stockinette seemed never ending.   I almost gave up in the last few rows.

Overall, I’m ok with the shawl, but it’s not one that I love.  Even after a very strong and forceful blocking, the top edge of the shawl rolls unmanageably.  I’m not sure why I expected anything different from stockinette.  For my yarn the three garter stitches at the edge are not enough to stop the rolled edge.   Now as I look back at the pattern photos, you can see that the edge on the original shawl top edge rolls in the 2nd photo – the one where she is holding it up to the window.  The effect is less drastic than on mine. 

There aren’t many issues/concerns/complaints about this rolling in the project listings on Ravelry, so perhaps my issue is partially due to the yarn choice.  I haven’t knit a shawl in alpaca before, and it doesn’t block the same way that wool does.  In the end, I’m not happy with this project because of the edge.  I don’t think I’ll ever wear it.  But, that means this will become a gift for someone who will appreciate the frilly purple shawlette and not be concerned about the rolled edge.  I’ve already got someone in mind.

Pattern: Citron
Designer: Hilary Smith Callis
Source: Knitty, Winter 2009
Yarn: unknown laceweight alpaca in stash
Yardage: 350 yards
Color: Lavender
Needles: US5 (3.75mm)

Started: December 22, 2009
Completed: January 22, 2010

Pattern modifications:

• I added one extra repeat of the pattern.  I felt that with the laceweight yarn the shawl was not as large as I wanted.
• I added four extra rows of the final ruffle to lengthen it a bit more.
• I used the k2tog bindoff to ensure the bind off was stretchy enough for the ruffled edge.