South Seas Table Runner

In my last post, I promised that my next project would not be socks. And it's not!

Boy, did it take me a while to slog through this simple pattern. I don't think I was mentally or emotionally ready to move away from my ultimate comfort knitting project of socks.

But I did it. And it really is an easy and pretty knit, even if it did take me a long time to make.

The pattern is South Seas Table Runner by Mel Clark, from her book "Knit 2 Together" with Tracey Ullman. I used three colors of Lana Grossa Linea Pura Solo Lino yarn leftover from the Color Block Pullover that I knit earlier this year: 3 Rosa, 35 Dark Rose, and 39 Lilac.

I used US-4 (3.5 mm) knitting needles as recommended by the pattern — it's one of the sizes I had used with this yarn for the pullover, and I'm not too picky about gauge for something like a table runner. To start, I cast on then knit two rows in Lilac. At color changes, I knit two rows to finish off one color then another two rows to begin the new color before returning to the lace pattern. I ended with another two knit rows of Lilac followed by the cast off.

I was having trouble finding the recommended flat shell beads from reputable store online, and I like that little detail on their sample. From my stash, I was able to round up four pearl beads, each about a half inch (1.27 cm) in diameter. I tied each to a corner of the knitting with a bow because I want to be able to remove them when I wash the table runner. There's a little clear nail polish to discourage fraying on the ends of the yarn I used to tie on the pearls.

After washing and drying, the table runner measures about 10 by 24 inches (about 25 by 61 cm). I would have liked it to be longer, but I like the color proportions. As it is, I used up all of the Rosa and Lilac.

I think the pearls may be a little big for the table runner. They'll do for now, but I'll continue to keep an eye out for the flat shell beads or maybe smaller pearl beads.

For now, I'm itching to get back to some soothing sock knitting!

I hope you and yours are doing well as we continue to navigate 2020.