In which I make up for lost time

Swatching sure FEELS like a waste of time--can I get an Amen?

That said, I know IN THEORY that it is an absolutely essential part of making handmade, not homemade, knits. "Use your head to save your feet," as my grandpa would say, or in this case, to save your hands. "Take time to save time," as Melissa Leapman says, IN ALL CAPS, in Cables Untangled.

So I'm choosing to act the part of the virtuous, organized, paced knitter, and am demonstrating for you here the SWATCH I INTENTIONALLY KNITTED for the Swallowtail Shawl.

It CERTAINLY IS NOT a SHAWL I STARTED and then MESSED UP and COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX and so BOUND OFF and CALLED IT A SWATCH TO SAVE FACE. Nosirree Bob.

I learned two things--and that's what this is all about, right, learning? Having fun?

First: I like lace. I really really like it.

Second: Threading a lifeline is a good idea.

If Baby E is allowed to play with Barbies (for one) and is interested in Barbies (for two), Barbie is sure going to have one heck of a purty shawl.

The color is very red. This is my absolute favorite color in all the world, though I don't own many true red clothing items. I'm already imagining wearing it with a 3/4-length-sleeved black ballet tee. Drool.