Hi, Knitters,
We are in the midst of moving boys back to college and then recovering from moving boys back to college. It is a bittersweet time but I keep reminding myself that I wouldn't want it any other way. All is as it should be. With the older boys leaving I am extra-appreciative of my girls still at home.
I do want to share with you another project I finished knitting a couple of months ago but only blocked a week or so ago. The project is called, Lullaby Rain, and it is designed by Paula Emons-Fuessle. Lullaby Rain is a pattern released through Quince & Co.
(photo by Carrie Bostick Hoge for Quince & Co.)
The photo above is what really got me wanting to immediately cast on when the pattern for Lullaby Rain came out. I think this is one of the best project photos ever. There is a story, a mood, a great display of the shawl, the colors are breathtaking, the wind in the hair.... soooo good. Quince & Co. and Carrie Bostick Hoge, the photographer, should be acknowledged for their wonderful combined work.
Here are the links:
Lullaby Rain Shawl pattern information and purchasing information
Quince & Co. Chickadee (I used the Frank's Plum colorway.)
Paula Emons-Fuessle's Designer Page on Ravelry (I have knit 2 of her 5 shawl designs and want to knit the rest to have the entire Paula/Quince shawl collection - all in Quince & Co. of course!)
In the first photo above I had just finished a couple of the stitch patterns. I lengthened the first and second sections by a repeat or two. Then I finished the rest of the shawl as written. This worked out well. The next sections are lace and the rows get quite long by the end of the shawl.
The shawl has a beautiful picot edge bind-off. I don't mind doing this kind of bind-off one bit, in fact, I quite enjoy it. I love how dainty and sweet looking a picot edge looks. It is well worth the extra time it takes to do this sort of bind off in my opinion.
Right after I bound off my Lullaby Rain shawl I had to get ready to go to SSK in Nashville. Then since I got home from SSK it has been incredibly busy with the family, sports and getting ready for school. It seems like one thing after another without any sort of break (it is all fun so I'm not complaining). Needless to say it took me months before I got my shawl blocked. That seems silly but it's true.
Here is the shawl unblocked. It is very small and scrunchy looking. I have to say if you haven't knit with Quince & Co. Chickadee you really should give it a try. The yarn is a sport weight 100% wool and is tightly plied to create a springy, bouncy yarn. The end result is a yarn that shows off lace and texture to their fullest and it is truly is light as air. Chickadee feels so good in your hands and on your needles. The other good thing is that Quince & Co. yarns are very reasonably priced. I think the three skeins needed for Lullaby Rain came to a little over 20 bucks. That is a very good deal for such high quality yarn.
I finally got around to blocking out my shawl and really there isn't much that is more fun in knitting than blocking out lace. I love to block out my lace and shawls strenuously. I will stretch and stretch and stretch out that lace with my pins and wires. I really enjoy it.
While the shawl was drying I already knew it would be my new favorite. The finished shawl is so light and airy and sweet. The construction makes it sit right on my shoulders without budging at all. We had some very chilly weather a short while ago and in the mornings I was wearing the Lullaby Rain in those early hours. Now it is too darn hot and humid again to wear wool but soon, very soon. I think I will wear this one so often that I might have to make another to have on-hand. I love everything about this design, the yarn, the name, the droplets in the lace, the picot edging, the fit, the size.... just everything.
My son took this photo of the back of my shawl. Isn't it pretty?
Thank you, dear Paula, for your clever and beautiful shawl design. Thank you to Quince & Co. for continuing to release beautifully thoughtful, wearable and fun patterns for us knitters. I have never seen such a fun new company like Quince. Quince captures everything I love about knitting and more. I am mesmerized by this company and can't recommend it to you more.
Have a good holiday weekend (if you are in the U.S.) and I hope you are able to squeeze in some knitting time.
I'll be back soon with more.
best, susie
