Interweave Crochet, Summer 2010
The cover! My first 
I am so exhilarated my Midsummer Night’s Shawl made the cover of the Summer issue of Interweave! I had no idea, no clue. I was also wondering when I sent it in, how it would fair. It would be up against the Dragonfly shawl. Not in the sense each one competing with one another.. But I always compare my work- what do I like about this one, and how is this compared to that one. What would I do differently… etc. When choosing what pattern to make, the decision is almost always from comparisons. In a sense, this shawl had a lot to live up to! How would it do?
EDIT: CLICK here for the CAL thread on Ravelry!
Since the move, I kind of went into hibernation. However, during that time, I began an affair with lace weight yarn. I blame the Dragonfly It was as if it came to life, flew into my window, and sat upon my shoulder and commanded nothing but lace! My checkbook got a workout from lace orders I wanted to try every fiber, every brand…
Midsummer Night's Shawl, Malabrigo Yarn Lace
Midsummer Night's Shawl, Malabrigo Yarn Lace
Midsummer Night's Shawl, Malabrigo Yarn Lace
This affair revealed something else though –I have always had a fondness for lace, and this brought that love back to the surface. Here is one result of this path I am exploring- The Midsummer Night’s Shawl!
Knit Picks Shadow Kettle Dyed, Altutide Kettle
Pattern Body: This is shawl simpler than the Dragonfly. It consists of a 4-row repeat. The stitch pattern is remarkably simple.
If you can make clusters, sc, and chains, you will have little, if any problem with this shawl. In fact, if you are an expert at crochet and have always wanted to try lace, this is a great way to start Once you have the pattern down, it is a nice project to work in front of the TV. No counting.
Construction: The construction works like the dragonfly. You begin with a miniature triangle smaller than the palm of your hand. You then work across in rows, from corner, to center tip, to next corner. Then turn, and work present corner, to center to tip next corner, and so on. So working as long / wide as you wish is doable.
Yarn: The model (the shawl in the magazine) for this pattern uses Malabrigo Yarn Lace (100% baby merino) The color is #98 Taureg.
The prototype (the project sent in for consideration) I used Knit Picks Shadow Kettle Dyed yarn (100% merino wool), in color Altitude Kettle. Unfortunately, this is being discontinued, as I really love this color!
Prototype, Knit Picks Shadow Kettle Dyed: Altitude Kettle
Marcy Smith, the editor of Interweave, found the Malabrigo Yarn. Both are a lovely deep blue, and both have a very, very subtle changes in color depth – not enough to take away from the lace pattern, but just enough to enhance it.
For the past 6 months or so, I have been playing around with so many lace weight yarns, and getting a feel for the properties of each brand, each fiber. This has really helped cultivate my process when designing in lace, to really achieve what I want a design to become.
The Malabrigo yarn is very soft – definitely not an itchy wool. I have super sonic sensitive skin, and had no issues working with this lace. For example, some lace I have worked with it almost feels like I have a continuous feed of splinters infiltrating my skin when crocheting. With the Malabrigo – no problems of this kind whatsoever.
Before blocking
Before blocking
Before blocking
I would say the Malabrigo is a “sticky” yarn. Yes, I have my own little language and terms I associate in my mind to properties of lace. Sitcky, meaning, you have to be careful if you have to rip. It likes to stick to itself.
I would not say it is a nightmare if you need to rip out – perhaps somewhere in the middle ground. Some yarns, especially many those with fuzz and halos are hazardous to my mental well-being if I have to rip. Those yarns I just cut, and attach anew – and save insanity for those midnight hours of designing when I talk to the moon Some lace weight yarns, no problem ripping out.
With this, I would advise to rip slowly. Kind of like the sheep over the fence, the more you think about the more they all come over at once? Well, this, the more you pull, the more stitckies, and then, the ultimate stubborn knot. So just go slow, pull gently, and stop at the first indication of any struggle.
Blocking was beautiful. Thirty minute soak in a water bath and I began to pin. It kept its shape well, and did not relax anymore than any other lace yarn I have blocked with. Blocking is essential, as that is truly the magical part of lace shawls. I only wish I still have the model in my arms. Luckily, I still have the prototype!
I hope you enjoy making this shawl. And for those who were afraid of the Dragonfly, please give this one a try 
You are all on an adventure with me! Please do let me know if you make this, what you like, what you do not like. The more feedback I get, the better my designs will become for you!
If you have a favorite lace yarn you like to work with – let me know! I am hungry for more lace I want to design in every lace weight yarn there is available. Drop me a line too of your favorite colors in lace!
Thank you for sharing this magical time with me!
Also, want to make a note, another lady, Nicole, at Superior Creations, interviewed me. She posted my answers to her questions, and is having a Giveaway on her blog- a $25 gift certificate to the Crochet Garden! You can find it here: Superior Creations Blog. The Giveaway only goes until midnight Tuesday, so hurry!
Lisa, your shawl is gorgeous! I’ll be running out to get my copy right away!
Oh that is great!!! Let me know how it goes!! I cannot wait to hear what people think of this pattern!! I hope they ship it fast
Great job Lisa! It’s so pretty! I’ve had crocheted lace on my mind lately, so I’ll definitely be picking up a copy.
Hi Katie!! Thank you! I cannot wait to hear and see how it goes! What color are you thinking of? I am almost thinking of making myself another one!!
Lisa,
Congratulations on the shawl and the cover! How exciting. I have just started using a little Crochet. I am a knitter who learned single crochet last weekend so that I could edge a sweater. I love the way the edge looks and am planning to try some more crochet in the future.
Trish- Thank you so much for the congrats! I am pretty excited
That is great you have learned the sc stitch. Once you learn the dc, then how to make a tr (which is like a dc) then a tr cl which is a few combined tr sts, then you will be able to make this shawl! It really is not that difficult. Having a knitting background will help- you are not new then to patterns and working with yarn. Please let me know when you feel ready to begin this! Myself and I am sure many more people will be happy to help you along the way! I really feel this shawl is very accessible to so many people, even those starting out!
I just received my copy of Interweave Crochet, and your shawl is absolutely stunning! So beautiful!
Hello Anette dear! Thank you so much!!
Your Mirth sweater is so sweet too. I could see myself wearing it in a pale pink (I have a weakness for pastels)! Let me know if you work it up… I love to hear other designer’s opinions!
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for your beautiful crocheted lace shawl patterns!!
There are not a lot of gorgeous crochet lace shawl patterns in laceweight yarns out there, and your patterns are top notch– I can’t wait to get started on your new pattern, and am already looking forward to your next fab creation!
My grandmother would crochet and this story reminded me of that and how we sat down and drank tea and talked. Unfortunately I never learned to crocheted more than a scarf.!
Dk- Thank you so much!! You will not have to wait too long! Soon, I will be releasing a new shawl!! I just need to figure out a name for it!
Michele: Oh, you need to learn more! Your grandmother was on to something!!
Hi Lisa, I love the Midsummer Night’s shawl. I am an experienced crocheter and I have tried to make the shawl 3 times now. The first time, I missed a bit of the instruction. My fault. The second time, I crocheted about 8 rows and then blocked it to make sure I was doing the pattern correctly. My flowers do not line up. I ripped it out and tried again – with different yarn as I felt the alpaca/silk lace blend I was using did not have enough stretch. Again, the petals are not lining up and my clusters tend to have a loose loop at the top (the first loop on the hook before you draw all 4 or 5 loops off). I am confused and frustrated and would appreciate any help you can give. I have been working off the written instructions. I will rip out again tomorrow and try again, but I am not sure what to change. Thanks. Terri
Hi Terri! Can you send me an email with a photo? I would certainly be glad to help you! That way I will be able to visualize on what you mean when you say the flowers are not lining up. Also, the flowers do sort of “interlock.” That is, they share petals. Also, are you going by the magazine, or purely by the charts? So far, I have seen a few different interpretations from those working off of the charts alone. I will await to hear from you!
Oh Terri, almost forgot, you can send to me at editor @ crochetgarden.com (take out spaces)
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for replying so promptly. I just made my 4th attempt at the shawl tnight and I tried working off the chart this time (I used the written instructions in the magazine the first three times). My leaves are better, but still not correct. I think it may have to do with my treble clusters. they are not tight and tidy like yours – that loose loop thing at the top again. I will take a photo tomorrow and send it to you. I really want to make this beautiful shawl! The only other thing I can think of is that my yarn is too fine and/or my hook size needs to be changed? I am so grateful for your help!! I’ll email you a photo tomorrow.
Terri
Terri- Fine yarn will make it look “looser.” I think it is still pretty, at least when I worked wither a finer yarn. I will await to see your photo, though, to be sure that is exactly what is going on!
Hi Lisa, I tried again with a less fine yarn (Elan’s Kid Silk I had in my stash) and the pattern came out perfectly. So, the very fine yarn i was trying to use was too fine. But now I will order more Kid Silk and happily crochet away. I can’t wait! Terri
Lisa, is there a free pattern for the shawl…
How can I get a copy of this pattern or this particular issue of Interweave Crochet magazine.?
Deanne Stoddart
Oh I am sorry- it is only available in the magazine. However, eventually, it will be available on the Crochet Garden Website for purchase!
Deanne, I do believe it is still available on the Interweave Crochet website. Also, I will be hopefully soon getting some copies into the Crochet Garden store. Also, it will be available as a PDF or hardcopy on the Crochet Garden website
I just need to remake and get photos of it. So do keep an eye out!
Interweave is out of stock for Summer 2010 and I can’t find in anywhere on web and I want to make this scarf so badly… the baby alpaca lace is burning a hole in my stash
Do you know where I can get a copy of this pattern??? Thanks 
Hello Susanna! I am actually soon going to have this up on the crochet garden website. I do not have a copy of the actual magazine, but will be making it available as a pattern. I have this on the to-do list this year! I also have in the works a beautiful new lace shawl. Well, actually, a few them!