I have got a little pile of finished knitted projects and I’m giving them all away.
It is such a joy to complete them and send them out into the world.
I think it’s OK to put some of them up here because the people I made them for never look at this blog, as far as I know…..
(There are six or seven more, all almost done, and if I show them it would spoil some surprises.)
First, above is the Modest Lace Shawl. I learned to knit with organized holes on this project, and I have to thank my wonderful neighbour Patricia, who taught me how. She learned from the pattern’s designer, and I am amazed at my good fortune in having such a patient good humoured instructor.
It’s called lace, and so I guess it is.
I used a Noro sock yarn, and I like the way the color changes and repeats itself.
I wish I had a photo of it before it was blocked. It looked like an ugly old rag, and I nearly threw it away. But once it was washed and stretched and straightened, I really liked it very much! And Helen is such beautiful model, she makes everything look good!
I aso completed a funky orange poncho, which was not based upon any pattern, but was a crazy creation born on a speed tour through Mary’s Yarns, where I got tons of discounted wool, and lots of good advice from Mary herself. Nobody would model it, as it was too large for my girls, and I would not be flattering to an orange poncho. So here it is, lounging in the kitchen:
And last night I (finally…) completed this red cashmere stole for my mother.
The pattern for this one is Cheryl Oberle’s Kimono Shawl pattern from her wonderful book of Folk Shawls. This is a great collection of patterns, there is something for everyone. And her instructions are clear and easy to follow, very thorough succinct.
I used Lana Grossa Pashmina for this one, and found it was so nice to work with. It’s so soft and elastic and warm. She recommends silk, and a lighter weight than worsted, for this shawl. But I wanted something warmer than silk because this one was made for warmth and not just beauty. I love it that you can fudge around with wool and change patterns and find that even when you go out on your own tangent, something nice can happen.
I have a bit of a hankering to make this one again……after a good prolonged break, and to make it in a DK weight cashmere and make it more like a large scarf.
Here is a picture of how it looked just when I finished knitting, and before I blocked it. I sort of miss the thickness that was lost when I stretched it out. But it does show off a little more with all those lacy holes opened up from the blocking. It’s nice both ways.