Not my marriage, no way! But every time a friend announces their impending nuptials, I offer my services to produce a pretty wedding shawl. In the current case, my friend has instead requested a shawl-as-a-wedding-gift, rather than a wedding shawl. This is a top idea, as the shawl should turn out to be much more versatile and wearable.
As my friend has chosen both the yarn and the pattern, I have no qualms about recording the progress of said shawl on my lil blog. Furthermore, I'm not sure how often friend frequents me here (hiya nusm if you're reading!!).
So, the chosen pattern is Hanami Shawl and the yarn is Handmaiden Fine Yarn, Seasilk in colourway moondust. Ugh the colour makes me sick, how fucking beautiful is it? I'm not a huge fan of pale colours on myself, but these are definitely nusm's colours.
Here is a very unimpressive shot of my first 10-ish rows. Also my really shoddily wound ball (the silk was so slippery it kept slipping so I gave up). I think I need to go down a needle size, it feels a bit flappy and loose. I'm going to knit the first repeat and then re-evaluate. Or maybe I should just learn how to measure gauge already! sheesh.
This project is challenging for me as it's mostly charted. I don't know how I am going to manage knitting on the train. Any tips? I think I might print a copy of the pattern smaller so I can easily refer to it rather than pulling out a big A4 piece of paper every 3 seconds.
The deadline is the start of November, do you think I'll make it??
~Tan
Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life) | Muster Party (Fluster Buster)
Beautiful, beautiful choice... Seeing your projects before you'll finish in no time.,your friend is a lucky one :)
ReplyDeleteWow the yarn is so pretty! I'm sure you will be able to finish it on time. :)
ReplyDeleteI like shawls better if they are loose. Maybe you should ask your friend. I'm alsways impressed of people using stitch markers. ;-)
ReplyDeletereally? are they hard to use? i had no idea!
DeleteOoo! I love her yarn choice! That is going to be stunning when its finished.
ReplyDeleteDo you have an iPad? If so, I highly recommend JKnitLite (free) for charts - it has a bar you can move to track your progress and everything. I love it :D
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I didn't think of this myself! I don't have an ipad but have fuond soemthing similar for my android phone. Thanks!
DeleteI like the color, I think this will be pretty when finished.
ReplyDeleteWow, looks lovely, but it does look like a great load of work! Good Luck!
ReplyDeletex
Natalie
Marigolds' Loft
Oh that yarn is gorgeous! Your shawl will be stunning:)
ReplyDeleteWow - the pattern looks awesome, and the yarn is so pretty. If you are concerned it's too loose just now, then I think I'd seriously consider going down a needle size - especially if you are planning to block it afterwards...
ReplyDeleteGood luck - I shall enjoy watching your progress!
thanks for the tip. i just want to see what one repeat looks like on 4mm needles. even if i have to rip it out it will be good practice in chart reading.
DeleteThat is *such* a pretty pattern, and the yarn looks lovely! Your friend has great taste! ^_^ I can't wait to see more updates!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift! I tend to write out my patterns on little index cards...not sure how that would work for charting, but it is a lot easier for me to cart around that way.
ReplyDeletei like this idea too. i think i prefer a written pattern anyway, and I'm not likely to do more than 2 or so rows per train trip. i might try transposing it.
DeleteI've been wanting to use some seasilk. I'm sure you'll finish in time and it will be lovely. I usually fold my charts(8.5 inchesx11 inches) in half and use a small post it to keep my place.
ReplyDeletei tried that approach but i realy need to keep it in front of me on the train and it wasnt happening :(
DeleteI love sea silk. I just finished a Lace Ribbon scarf in it a few months ago and recipient loves it. It drapes so beautifully and has such gorgeous sheen.
ReplyDeleteit's just so *silky* isnt it? surprise surprise!
DeleteLoose is fine, just means it will block even more beautifully. Gorgeous yarn, it's going to look amazing when it's finished!
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh that is gorgeous, the yarn and pattern. i have yet to knit with handmaiden, but it is on my wish list. i knit from my ipad saving the pdfs in ibooks so i can work offline. although there is no way to mark your place (i use a row counter for that) but if i had to knit from a paper chart on the train, difficult but okay! :)
ReplyDeleteyou should check out maria's comment above - there is apparently an app on ipad that will track your progress!
DeleteYou are obviously the best friend ever, I'm sure that each of your friends will treasure those shawls. I'm with you on the color of this one, it definitely has pretty qualities, but I could never wear that color with my coloring I think you can totally finish in time, you are super knitter after all.
ReplyDeleteThat's right, be friends with Tanya and you eventually get a knitted item! I think it gets me off the hook to be honest, people spend mega bucks on wedding gifts!
DeleteI prefer bolder colours for myself :D