Saturday, May 09, 2020

Cherry Blossom Fantastitch


This is a lovely, luxurious shawl. It is almost a blanket, Steven West calls these big shawls shlankets, and this truly is one. If I remember right, the last rows were almost 800 stitches… let me check to be correct here… yep, 791 stitches and then the i-cord along the edge.
I gathered various yarns from my stash. Lately when knitting Westknits shawls, I have gathered lots of possible yarns into a basket and then I more or less pick one that I feel is right, sometimes it works, sometimes it does not, but I do not plan well beforehand. I think this is the main reason, why I love knitting them. The process is interesting when there is uncertainty where to go next.
With careful planning, I am sure, the outcome would be more balanced, but this is how I keep the knitting interesting. If the color choice feels totally off, I could always rip it, but I very seldom do, because I believe that in the end, it is all going to work.
These colors were difficult to work with, I did not feel that any of them were off, but I was trying to find a way to sparkle up the shawl. It was stubborn and insisted in being calm and quiet. In the end I am glad it stayed that way: it feels very Cherry Blossom to me. I think of Stockholm’s Kungsträdgården in Cherry Blossom time when I look at the shawl.

I used lots of different yarns, all from the stash, I did not buy any new ones for the shawl, but I did use new skeins, not all were leftovers from previous projects.
I had three lovely skeins by Eluded Fiber’s (discontinued) fingering weight yarn that had some cashmere in it, and even though there is little, it makes a difference. Those three were the base that I build on. They were all towards violet and lilac.
Then there is some Melted Baby Suri by Qing Fibers. Long time ago I mail ordered few skeins from Stephen and Penelope and this yarn feels so precious, I want to use every little bit of it and so far I think I have used the two colors I have in three projects. There is some Holst Garn Coast stranded with mohair and then some bits of this and that.
The shawl is a sampler of different stitches; there are slipped stitches and garter stitch, seed stitch and I think there is one knit and purl pattern there as well. Surprisingly, no brioche…I had to double check, but no, there is no brioche. After knitting this, I now know that I do not like slipped stitch patterns, as I find it difficult to tension the yarn. I find it even harder than when knitting colorwork. Also, I am constantly worried that some stitches appear bigger than others. Maybe it is because I have not done slipped stitch patterns, I guess only once or twice before this.

I love to knit these huge shawls. Starting a new project is difficult, it is hard to find a yarn that matches the project, which leads to frustration. Once I get going with a shawl, I love to be in the middle of the project, way pass the point of return but a long way from being anxious to get it over with…

I did say that I will not be knitting a shawl soon… But last night, I did go to have a look at Stephen’s shawl library and there is Stripified with brioche-tuck (never done before, do not know what that is) and there seems to be slipped stitches too… I have some greens in my stash that I would love to put into good use.

Maybe?

What are you working on? I would love to hear.

Enjoy your weekend,
Wool with you,
Lene

18 comments:

  1. I have been using up odds and ends of yarn to make hats to send to homeless teens when October comes. Small, so easy to focus; looks to the future, so optimistic (although that has not felt easy); and for somebody else, so gets outside the thoughts.

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    1. What a lovely way to use knitting for good! Good for the recipients and for you for using up your stash and getting new thouhts, xx.

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  2. Once his shawl is Beautiful ! I was surprised to read that no new yarn was purchased for this. It all came together so well, so matched and your photos are gorgeous ! I have only one Stephen West shawl and it was fun. Thank you for sharing all of the wonderful details !

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    1. Thank you, xx. I might have too much yarn...!





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  3. You have inspired me to try Stephen's patterns. Love the colors you chose for this Fantastitch. The shawl turned out beautiful. Currently I am using a 5 skein faded that I bought at Stephen and Penelope's for Chevron Shenanigans

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    1. Shenanigans looks interesting! I think Striped Esjan will be my next! Be well, xx.

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  4. That shawl is amazingly gorgeous! I am currently crocheting the elegantly named Semi-circular Shawl with Pineapple Border (https://www.ravelry.com/projects/SandraAtStamp/semi-circular-shawl-with-pineapple-border). It is fun, but I am stalled until I get some more suitable yarn. I tend not to have many autumn colours in my stash. Happy Mothers' Day!

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    1. Thank you Sandra, xx. Truly beautiful shawl it will be... Are you going for laceweight yarn?

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    2. So far I have used a ball of sock yarn and a ball that calls itself worsted but is about half the thickness of my regular worsted weight yarn. I have ordered several possibilities to go on with, from lace to light worsted. I will pick one or maybe combine the lace yarn with another lace yarn I have. I need to see how the colours look first. I am all about the colours!

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  5. Toni05:00

    I am working on the Eloire Sweater by Elizabeth Doherty using Farmers Daughters Mohair and fingering wool/silk, and finishing a pair of socks for my husband's birthday present.

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    1. The sweater will be lovely, the shape seems so wearable and the subtle patterns are beautiful. I should get back to sock knitting too!

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  6. That is one gorgeous shawl Lene! I keep looking at Stephen West's designs, but have yet to jump in! I'm currently knitting socks (always) and just started another Hitchhiker (Martina Behm). This will be my 3rd (or 4th) Hitchhiker.

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    1. Thank you Vera, xx. If you have not done any Stephen's shawls, I don't think I have done any Martina's! And hers are amazing too!

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  7. I love the combination of colours that you have used. It looks lovely. The weather has finally started to turn cooler in Australia, and that looks like it would be so warm.

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    1. Thank you, xx. It is huge and warm, good for Arctic summer and Australian winter!!

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  8. I love Stephen's shawl patterns. But, I don't enjoy wearing shawls. So far I've made Rockafeller, Garter Breeze, one of his very first free patterns, and I'm working on Vertices United.

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    1. They are special! Most of my shawls are used by my daughters, so far I have kept only one but I am hoping that one of the ones, I have done this spring will be mine!
      Thank you for reading and commenting, xx.

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  9. This shawl such a beauty. I love the colours and it looks so cosy.

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