And The Shawls, They Just Keep On a-Coming Along....

I found out about the ravelry group, 10 Shawls in 2010 in March.  I signed up late.  So, I figured I'd at least just knit as many shawls as I could in 2010, if it isn't ten, I'm okay with that. 

So here it is, the end of June, the half-way mark.  How am I doing?  Well, this shawl marks shawl #5 that I am sharing of the seven that I have completed.  I will not jinx myself by saying that I think I might just make it.  Not one second of it has gone according to the plan I had set for myself at the start, but what ever does?  I've been knitting a lot more for other people, all by choice, mind.  Just surprising.

• Pattern: Gail (aka Nightsongs), a free pattern by Jane Araujo
• Yarn: Woolen Rabbit Kashmir in Flower Power
• Needles: size 5
• Cast On: May 19, 2010
• Bound Off: June 1, 2010
• Blocked: June 2, 2010

Warning:  This is where I rave about Kim's yarns once again.  Her ravelry group is called Rabbit Habit.  I have one.  Habit, that is.  An addiction, for sure.  There are two things to talk about regarding the Kashmir, a merino/cashmere/nylon blend.  First, the blend.  Lately, while I am a participant, the trend toward shawls in fingering or sock weight yarns designed to get a shawl out of one skein is disappointing to me.  I love lace-weight yarns and finely knit shawls.  I also, for the most part, dislike superwash wools.*  While I'll admit that some are better than others, I find them to lose all softness, drape and body after washing and blocking and get kind of limp, lifeless and icky.  And have you tried to find beautiful, fingering weight merino that isn't treated to be superwash?  Nearly impossible.  It seems that I am in the minority, people love their superwash yarns.  Well, if you like them to begin with, you will LOVE this yarn.  I was thrilled to find, after blocking, that this yarn was soft and cuddly and that the shawl hung gracefully over the shoulders.

This is where I go on about the color.  Keeping in mind that my photos don't come close to capturing the depth, at first glace you think, "pink."  Then looking closer there are shades of a purpley color that isn't quite magenta, salmon, mauve and every once in a while a splash of an orange-y color.  It is just beautiful knitted up.  I am usually pretty sure I will like something when I knit it, but I was surprised to like this one as much as I did.  I mean, it is pink after all.  I kept track of the details and the modifications to this shawl on my ravelry project page.  I'm not sure about this shawl pattern, it is a bit confusing and vaguely written, so a few people have made modifications to the pattern and I knit it using someone's mods, they are listed on the ravelry page.  Having said that, it is a fun pattern to knit and find those double yarn-overs in the center entrancing.

You may have guessed that this shawl was a gift for my friend who in the space of a few days found out that the tumor removed from her husband's brain was not benign, as they had been assured it probably was, but malignant and that her mother had cancer in most of her body.  She is a young woman with a young family, young husband and young mother and she is forced to be the strength for them all for now.  While a knitted shawl can't fix things, I hope the brightness of it can bring some light to her days when she wears it.

*About the superwash wools:  When knitted at a firm gauge, like for socks, I am fine with superwash yarns.  That is the one time I am fine with treated wool.  And I have used it for baby and child sweaters, more for convenience than for liking it.  It just seems that the trend in all yarns is to treat it and I know some are better than other, but still, I just don't get it.

2010.  Sixty-one.  On a totally different topic:  I had a dream last night.  You know those dreams where you are driving your car someplace out of the ordinary and then you are on a dock and your car is at the bottom of the bay or inlet or whatever and you can see it and there are boats coming in and, in my dream, there was another person whose car was right next to mine, and nobody is really noticing it because they are getting on and off their boats or whatever and there your car sits.  At the bottom of the sea.  And all I kept thinking was that my knitting was in there in a Woolen Rabbit Wee Bunny Bag and that I really wanted to swim down and get it.  Never mind my bag, wallet, cash, cards....  I wanted my bag and my knitting back!

Comments

[margene]

Oh grrl! I do know about having a Rabbit Habit. Kim's colors and yarns are additively beautiful and we won't even go into how many Wee Bunny Bags I own.
Now your shawl! It's gorgeous and I LOVE Kim's Kashmir (as you probably know as I'm finishing up a sweater in the same yarn). May the shawl bring peace to your friend. When you feel helpless, knitting something beautiful for another is a nice way to give back.

[Carole]

The shawl is gorgeous and a wonderful gift for your friend, who must be going through hell right now.

[Manise]

Oh your poor friend! We just buried a wonderful man today who died waay too young of a brain tumor leaving a wife and 3 kids in their teens and early 20's. 4 months from diagnosis to death. So not fair. Prayers to your friend and her loved ones. I'm sure the gorgeous shawl will be a source of great comfort to her.

[Kim]

Terry, your knitting is always exquisite. I hope that this beautiful shawl brings this young woman some comfort during this difficult time in her life.

As always I love you for your kind words!

[Cookie]

Beautiful!

Ya know, I've always wondered about that pattern. So much drama for a piece of lace. :?

[Maureen]

Blessings and love to your dear friend...what a difficult journey she is just beginning. Your gorgeous shawl will hopefully surround her with love and comfort during the days ahead. She is blessed to have you as a friend.

[Suzanne]

The shawl is beautiful. I hope it brings some comfort to your friend.

Kim's yarns are so nice and I love the Wee Bunny Bags, 2 of them live with me.

[CyndiG]

I love the shawl and hope it is a source of balm for your friend!

[Renee]

Gorgeous shawl. Your friend and her family are in my prayers.

[Norma]

Oh, so beautiful. I'm so so soooo sorry about your friend.

[Geri]

Absolutely gorgeous shawl! Must get some Woolen Rabbit yarn!

[Nora]

Just beautiful! And what a lovely gift for your friend. I tend to agree about superwash... it's crunchy/squeaky to knit with.

[Laurie]

Crossing my fingers for your friend. That shawl is a big, beautiful hug.

[Cara]

You are so inspiring with all the shawls. One day I'll knit lace again.

And your friend - I can't even imagine - it's good you are there for her.

[Beverly]

Very beautiful shawl. The color is gorgeous. I'm so glad this one is in my queue. I only hope I can find yarn as pretty as the one you used.

[claudia]

That is seriously beautiful.

[Mary Lou]

What a wonderful gift. I wandered over here from Etherknitter to see the superwash info. I am just finishing a stole in Madelinetosh Lace superwash. It is so sproingy it is making seeing my work difficult. I withhold judgment till blocked.