Another shawl update, reading knitting charts, and other stuff...

I have been so busy this past two weeks with the boys that I haven't had much time to knit.  We had fun last week.  On Monday, we spent the afternoon at the New Carlisle Library reading and relaxing.  On Wednesday, we played outside and got out the bicycles.  We bought Austin his first bike!  Now we are working on teaching him to ride his new bike.  On Tuesday we played games indoors because of the weather.  On Thursday we went to the craft store and bought some stuff for making soap.  We made some lavender and some mint scented glycerin soaps.  The boys really had fun.  The good thing about it, was that it was easy and not messy. =)  Friday we went to the beach to go exploring.  Lake Michigan is so pretty when the sun is setting over it! =)  The boys found some shells, smooth rocks, driftwood, chased seagulls, and wore themselves out.  Saturday we stayed home and cleaned the house.  And finally on Sunday we went to the Pottawatomie Zoo.   It was alot of fun!  I got some really great animal pictures to make a scrapbook for the boys.  This week it was back to school and "Taxi Mom". =)

I am finally on to the knitted edging of the shawl.  I absolutely love how it is turning out!  I am now about halfway done with the edging, so I am hoping that I'll be able to find time this weekend to finish my lilac lace shawl.=)

I was so nervous about the knit on edging because I didn't fully understand the shawl construction. I also was working from the written instructions instead of from the chart.  Once I started the knitted edging, I decided to take the plunge and try knitting from the chart.  I haven't ever knitted from a chart before, so I was nervous about that too.  Well, I am really impressed!  I think that it is actually going faster, and it is easier that it looks!  With this pattern, written instructions are provided for all charts, so you may work from the charts or the written instructions.   For more information on knitted lace triangle construction,
see http://www.fickleknitter.com/archives/2009/12/knitted_lace_tr.htm .