yet another simple shawl

Hello to blogland...

I noticed I've gotten in the habit of only posting with a finished object. Well, I'm here today to mention a work in progress.

I've gotten hooked on katia ingenua yarn (from the label: 78% mohair, 13% nylon, 9% wool; 50 g; 140 meters). So far I've knit one complete shawl - using my simple shawl pattern - in the denim color. I knit it up on a whim using 3 balls last spring and it was an excellent cover when I did some air travel.

I'm currently knitting up another shawl in this fuzzy mohair yarn (color 18, they call it peach, I'd call it vermilion- not quite red, not quite orange) but this time I'm using 4 balls. I have just about finished ball 3 and hope to have the shawl complete by the end of this week. Pics to come.

I have enjoyed mohair yarn pretty much ever since I started knitting. It is soothing to me. The mayhem of the fuzz seems to be inviting to me, in some way. Mohair yarn is my default yarn. I've read how some bloggers just cannot help but pick up a ball or two of sock yarn when in a yarn shop. Me? Mohair all the way. What is your default yarn?

Life's a Beach

(Life's a Beach is a colorway in Cherry Tree Hill's Spider Silk yarn. )

A few weeks ago I came across a really great de-stashing idea on a blog on the knitters webring. Knit Daisy Knit decided to have a yarn contest. She posted pics of some to-be-destashed yarn and asked for emailed ideas using the yarn. I think this idea is so clever because it means that she sent the yarn to folks who would use it!

One yarn in particular caught my eye - the above-mentioned spider silk yarn.


I envisioned it as a simple shawl - start with a few stitches (I usually start with 4) and then k2, yo, k til the end. Repeat until just enough yarn is left for the cast-off row.

The end result from such a pattern is a pleasant garter stitch triangle with a simple 2 stitch and eyelet border on each end. An eyelet row could be included near the top if desired.

Happily my idea was selected and I got the yarn just a few days later in the post. I started on the piece soon afterward using sz 11 needles. (Yarn specs - from the label - 60% silk/ 40% superfine merino, 4 0z, 160 yds) This yarn is really unique - a merino core with silk 'fur' fluffing out - and very bright colors!

I hope these pics do it justice. The yarn was a joy to knit and the resulting shawl is a perfect shoulder-warmer. Best of all, it reminds me of the kindness of knitters. Thank you so much!

Here is a close-up shot of the finished shawl...

Happy Birthday!

I recently finished a gift knit. My mom, aunt, and their parents took a trip in Western Canada last summer (Calgary to Alberta). Part of their trip included the discovery of Beehive Wool and some beautiful Fleece Artist mohair. They had lots of fun in the shop and were particularly enamored with a store sample - a shawl with mohair and ribbon. Upon inquiry, they learned that the sample was from a pattern written by an employee and that the pattern was available with purchase of the yarn. Have you seen Fleece Artist mohair? I suppose, though, I really should ask if you have felt it. Wow! Fleece Artist has several different types of mohair yarn. The kind they got is Curly Locks (from the label - 78% kid mohair, 13% wool, 9% nylon; 450m/250g; 6mm 12/4").

The pattern called for one skein of Curly Locks and some complementary ribbon yarn (knitter's choice).

The yarn was so pretty (and the sample so impressive) that my mom and aunt bought several different colorways of Curly Locks and ribbon. I'll show pics of mine at a later date - I knit it up last fall.

Today I want to show you pics, however, of my aunt's shawl. Over the holidays, she asked me if I would knit up her yarn for her. I agreed and today is the day she gets her shawl. Why today?

Well...

today she is 50 (!) and my knitting is my gift to her. :-)
Here are some close-up shots...

Happy Birthday!

For information regarding the pattern, I recommend contacting Beehive Wool directly.