Now, the obvious answer is to buy them, but that would be too easy! No, I want my own stitch markers, mostly because I can’t afford any knitting accessories right now. So, I took a look around, and there seems to be two general types of stitch markers. Both are usually beaded in some fashion, or have something pretty or cute dangling from it. One type seems to be made with meal loops, whilst the other seems to be some sort of fishing line or clear beading line. I have a bunch of beads and so forth, and I have some invisible thread, so I’m thinking of taking that route with my markers.

Of course, if I went to the effort of making these things up, then I’d have to go through with knitting up the shawl I’m thinking about, and that’s where I run into issues. Whenever I consider using the small stockpile of yarn I have for anything, I feel great trepidation. I wonder, is this the pattern, is this pattern good enough to warrant using what little yarn I have? I can see a pattern, and think it is the loveliest pattern, but as soon as contemplate using my yarn to make it, I become very critical of it. That is completely and utterly neurotic, I know, so I’m not being sucked into that any longer! I’m going to make my pretty stitch markers, and then I am going to cast on a very lovely shawl pattern.

I’m going to link to that pattern today, even though I may have in the past, but I want to share my first lace knitting experience here. Here is the Nightsongs shawl, a very pretty piece of work indeed!

P.S. Yeah, not sure if I will end up knitting it, actually.

I’m in a shawl kind of mood today, I feel like something nice to drape over my shoulders, you see, so that equates to a ’shawl’ kind of mood. So I’m going to link to a few nice shawl patterns, ones that I would like to knit or generally think are awesome.

Lets start with the thicker varieties, and what’s thicker than a chunky poncho? I’ve always thought this was a really nice pattern, and will eventually get around to knitting myself one of these, the Falling Leaves Poncho! On the opposite end of the spectrum, whilst still being a thick shawl, we have this little shoulder wrap by the name of Cinnamon Grace. My favourite spice, and a very lovely wrap that I can’t wait to make for myself.

Now for lacy shawls, and specifically, triangular lacy shawls. First up there is the Aeolian Shawl, this one is just beautiful! Then there is Laminaria which is another beautiful lacy shawl. Next are two rectangular lacy shawls, with Summer Leaves and Gossamer Garden Stole. Both of these are really pretty, and a big rectangular shawl is always nice for a big drape around the body.

Now we have some odd shapes, an ‘almost circle in the Navdanya Prayer Shawl, which has a very lovely wavy edge to it. Here is a big square shawl, called The Veil of Isis, which is amazing and pretty.

Finally I’m going to finish with two full circle shawls, Artemis is first up, and this one is so pretty, I really like the star in the centre. And finally is the Queen Anne’s Lace shawl.

All of these are ones that stood out today when I was looking over patterns on Ravelry.