Cheating...

I must confess that I started my shawl last night. I swatched and finally found the perfect needle size, (8US) and couldn't resist the siren song of the Peacock. I must also say I am thrilled at fantastic charts and instructions on the pattern! I don't think I will ever be able to go back to all written instructions on a lace pattern again. :)

One note to those of you doing Peacock, I think the swatch instructions might have an error. Based on the number of rows the pattern lists for size and the fact it is to be a square, I did 4 repeats, not 6 of the 8 rows to come up with 36 rows total and was spot on.

I swatched twice, knowing that I knit very tightly I started with 6's instead of 4's to swatch. I could only manage to block the swatch out to 6" and decided 7's weren't going to give me a whole extra inch, so I opted for swatching with 8's and it was perfect.

I started early because I am laid up at home with sinusitis and laryngitis, so what better activity for someone cooped up for the next 3 days?! :)

I did 20 rows last night and felt guilty for starting. It's such fun to knit though! And so lovely!