I decided to make the shawl just a little shorter than I am tall because I knew it would stretch when blocking..   I completed the 24 row chart, then did my 6 rows of seed stitch and cast off. 

I washed it this morning using Citrilux shampoo which is a product sold for dogs.  I use it instead on my garments made of natural fibers because it has citrus oil, eucalyptus, pennyroyal and a bunch of other natural ingredients which deter bugs without stripping the fiber of natural oils.  And it leaves a light citrus smell.  

I rinsed and rolled the shawl in a thick towel squeezing out all the excess moisture and then blocked the shawl and pinned it down on my guest bed.   I squeezed so much moisture out of my garments that it doesn’t damage the bed at all, but I really need to buy a proper board for blocking, if for no other reason than to not have to measure as I blocked.    

I blocked it to about 72 x 26 inches knowing that when released it will be slightly smaller. Because this yarn stretches nicely, I really could have made it a little shorter and still had enough to wrap around myself.

I’ll post of photos of the finished shawl in a few days.   Meanwhile, here is a photo of the blocked shawl… I used a gazillion pins in order to prevent points … Along with a blocking board, I need to invest in blocking wires.  I’m interested in any recommendations on blocking wires and boards.