Swatching for a Shawl

I've been swatching for a new shawl design. It's based on an Estonian stitch pattern. I just have to figure out how to get the gradual curve I'm looking for and how/where to insert partial repeats at the sides. I am also trying to find a compatible edging.  It needs to be simple because this stitch pattern is more complex.  Here is the initial swatch:

2 into 2 knitted swatch (star stitch)

Well, I can't really tell the difference between the two.  I like the look of the 2><2 on the bottom but the 2)(2 on the top seemed easier to knit.  It could be the color of my yarn, the way I blocked it or some other variable that doesn't lend itself to defining the stitch very well.  If I can find my white lace weight yarn, I'll knit it on bigger needles and in a lighter color.  Did anyone knit a swatch they would like me to post?

     

2)(2 or star stitch

I talked with Sharon at lace group the other night about how to knit this stitch.  She said you can either k2tog thru the front loop and then k2tog tbl (do both before removing from the left hand needle) OR you can k2tog tbl first and then k2tog tfl and remove from left needle to right needle.  Either way will give you a star but they will be the mirror image of each other.  I will try to swatch this and post it so you can see the difference.  Right now, I have to get ready to go work out with my trainer so I don't turn into a couch potato doing all this knitting (lol)

Ok, I'm back.  Here is a sample for us to swatch to illustrate the 2 into 2 stitches or star stitches.

213 preliminary chart

Well, I did a trial run using a charting program called Stitchmastery Knitting Chart Editor.  The chart has a few bugs in it, like a few extra symbols in the key that I'm having trouble deleting.  Also, disregard the wrong side descriptions of the stitches in the key.  Wrong side (even numbered) rows are knitted.  I'd appreciate someone looking at it and telling me if there are any glaring errors.  I will try to test knit it this week.  The even rows are all knit stitches except when you come to the 2)(2 stitches.  Here is how I THINK the stitch is made:  2)(2 STITCH OR STAR STITCH   I'm going to have to swatch it and see but if you have done this stitch before, please leave comments.
Re: the nupps.  I think 7 stitch nupps usually look a little nicer than 5 but I'd love to hear opinions.  And I'd love to hear experiences with k2tog and ssk and then making a nupp into that stitch (the stitches that look like a / or \ with a little nupp symbol on the top of them).  Please join in the discussion.  Ask questions, leave comments.  Hopefully, you can click on the chart image and it will pop up into a larger view.  I have my fingers crossed.

Mary

Let the charting begin

I'm studying shawl and lace design with an awesome teacher right now. Her name is Sharon Winsauer. I'm going to base my shawl design around pattern #213. This is what inspired me to start charting some of these stitch patterns in more familiar symbols. The pieces of software I will be exploring to do this are:
1) Intwined Pattern Studio - a charting program for knitters
2) Inkscape - a drawing program to allow me to design additional stitch icons for the Intwined Pattern . Studio
3) StitchMastery Knitting Fonts Collection

These tools should give me everything I need plus there is a great Intwined Pattern Studio Ravelry group that I belong to and hope to interact with on this project.

Keep watching the blog and I'll update you soon.  Our lace group will be meeting in E Lansing on Monday and I will share some ideas with them.  There feedback is always thought provoking and awesome.

Charting Estonian stitch patterns

I'm contemplating charting some of the stitch patterns shown in this blog so that you all can incorporate them into your personal knitting. Anybody love or object to this idea? Speak now. I will use the Craft Yarn Council symbols as much as possible. I can't guarantee the rate at which they will get done but I feel compelled to add more content to this blog. I can't believe the last post was 3 years ago!
Charted Knitting Symbol Standards