Hi Knitters,
I finished and blocked a really quick and fun little shawl yesterday. It is called, Little Shells.
Click here for the free pattern for Little Shells!
The yarn is one I purchased at the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival a little over a year ago. Yes, I am still knitting and spinning from things I bought while at that festival. I guess it's a good thing I don't go to many festivals or I'd be in trouble.
The yarn is a sport weight from one of my faves, Dyeabolical Yarns and Fiber. I can't find the tag but I think the yarn is called Sporty. It is superwash wool and the colors are vibrant and fun. I don't work with a lot of variegated yarns but this one caught my eye.
Click here for the Dyeabolical website!
Little Shells, by Holly and Ella (click here for the website), is a lovely and clearly written pattern that includes charts for the lace as well as the written instructions. The only thing I changed was that I added a few extra rows of garter stitch before binding off. Beads would be a pretty addition, too, but I didn't have any on hand that would go with this yarn.
The shawl is pretty small so I really wanted to stretch it out in the blocking. I stretched and stretched the washed and soaked shawl to no end. It literally couldn't be stretched any further.
It took quite a bit of effort and pinning and repinning to get it to look right. For a small shawl I think this was the longest I have ever spent on pinning something out for blocking.
The effort was worth it in the end and the final result is really pretty and perfect. I would knit this shawl again in a heartbeat. The dk weight yarn makes it go so fast.
The drape is quite nice and the points along the edging turned out just as I had envisioned. I think for a variegated yarn the lace looks pretty and doesn't get too lost. I knit this using my US size 8, 24-inch circular needles from Signature Needle Arts. Boy, are those ever a treat. I only have a few pairs of these luxurious needles but I plan on slowly adding to my tiny collection. I love these needles so much.
Ahhhhh, finishing a project is so satisfying. There is nothing like it, especially if the project turns out to your liking and this one definitely does. I highly recommend Little Shells if you are looking for a dk weight shawlette to knit this summer.
Happy Monday, Knitters. I'll be back with the prizes, drawings and details on the now over Patchwork Sockalong. It is all pretty incredible.
best, susie
Beautiful shawl, although I had to go back and read your post from the beginning because I thought you had "started, finished, & blocked" it all yesterday, and I was going to comment on just how speedy of a knitter you were. LOL Job well done Susan.
ReplyDeleteplynn
What a fun and cheery shawl! Beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous, Susan! 3:43am? When do you sleep? You are quite amazing!
ReplyDeleteOh, Susan, that pattern looks so different in variegated yarn that I almost didn't recognize it! I just finished that one in a solid and now boring cream colored silk! I will definitely have to do it again in a variegated colorway! Their patterns are so easy to follow and so well written. I knit two of their Summer Flies pattern last month to give as gifts and decided to keep one of them for myself! And, you are so right about Signature needles! I only have a few, but they are such a pleasure to use that I am adding to my collection albeit slowly! I really like their stiletto double points for socks! and and circs for lace. Love seeing what you are doing!
ReplyDeletePS. Just asked at my LYS for your Opal bunny pattern and was told that they had just received a large order and wouldn't be ordering for a while, so guess I'll have to wait to get one.
Vicki - shops can order the pattern wholesale at any time. if they ordered the Opal yarn at TNNA they received 5 free patterns for their shop, but the pattern can be purchased separately without another yarn order.
ReplyDeletethanks for the nice comment!
susan
very pretty. i've been on a shawl jag lately.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, Susan!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, Susan!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, Susan!
ReplyDeleteBeatiful, Susan. Love the colors. Bright and happy.
ReplyDeleteyou must be reading minds! I've been looking for the perfect something to make with a pretty hand dyed Sport weight skein. I also fell in love with Signature needles, my little DPN collection grew to two sets recently, and I ordered a circular for a shawl that was giving me headaches, the needles made it a breeze! its like having magical knitting powers.
ReplyDeleteGreat shawl, Susan! Are you using foam tiles on your floor for blocking?
ReplyDeleteLove the colours!
ReplyDeleteI've had the pattern in mu queue for a long time, but still waiting for the right dk yarn to come along as I want the bigger size :)
Just saw this shawl for the first time at SSK and now I get to see your version! Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteLove it! You are the best kind of enabler!
ReplyDeleteGreat colour and shawl. :)
ReplyDeletegorgeous! I agree with LoriAngela above - 'you are the best kind of enabler'! I always want to make everything you show us. (I only wish I could knit that well :-).)
ReplyDeleteLovely shawl! I have a question, do you need to reblock the shawl after you soak or clean it? I am working up my first lace shawl and just want to be prepared for when I gift it. :)
ReplyDeleteKanani