Like most knitters, when a life event strikes, I often think of what I can knit for the person. If a baby is born or expected, don’t we all rattle different ideas through our heads: hat, blankie, booties??
One of my favorite people recently received a life-changing diagnosis and had to undergo surgery. Her prognosis is good and she is recovering nicely…but she gave us quite a scare. This dear friend, I’ll call her DF, is a knitting peep and my “Harry Potter” movie companion, and very special to a lot of people for a lot of reasons.
So when I heard about DF’s diagnosis, I knew I needed to knit her something. Something she would love and that would show her how much I care about her. I decided on a Damson shawlette. I had made one before and LOVED knitting it and wearing it, so I hoped she would love it as well. I tried about 3 different yarns from my stash — all high end, gorgeous yarns, but too variegated to look right. Off to the store I went. I chose Malabrigo Sock in Boticelli Red (a very rusty, brick red). The yarn is butter soft and more tonal than variegated, which I am drawn to more and more these days — too much color variation can look disastrous!
I used the same modification as on my Damson: inserting an open-work mesh into the plain sections.
She loved it — she is very knit worthy!! And with every stitch I knit in love and good wishes.
It is lovely, of course! Best wishes and prayers for a prompt and complete recovery to your dear friend.
Comment by joanna — January 17, 2011 @ 9:59 pm
That is a beautiful shawl and a heartwarming gift.
Comment by Kim — January 17, 2011 @ 10:56 pm
So beautiful! I hope your friend continues to recover & is well. When you’ve had a blow like that, it’s lovely to be reminded that life brings us happy surprises as well.
Comment by Pam — January 17, 2011 @ 11:03 pm
What a lovely shawl for your lovely friend. Best wishes for her speedy recovery!
Comment by Lisle — January 18, 2011 @ 7:37 am
Oh, I think this is just gorgeous!! My very best wishes to your friend for a healthy recovery. Obviously, is dearly loved and very special.
Comment by Barb — January 18, 2011 @ 9:55 am
What a lovely gift to give and receive. I couldn’t agree with you more about varigated color yarns. I’ve always hated them because they look far better on the skein than they do in any finished object (often the FO can look cheap no matter how expensive the yarn). I’ve noticed many hand spinners start out creating variegated color yarns using colors that don’t compliment but simply clash with each other. Tonals, however, provide color depth and interest while not fighting for attention with the pattern, as shown by your beautiful shawlette.
Comment by PurrlGurrl — January 18, 2011 @ 10:13 am
May good health return to your friend with all possible speed. We are blessed in our knitting friends, aren’t we?
Variegated yarns need just the right sort of patterns to really show them off. Damson is one of those that does it better in soft tonal changes like this. Lovely little thing.
Comment by Needles — January 18, 2011 @ 10:46 am
What a lovely thing to do, Susan. Blessings to both you and your friend.
Comment by Kay - From the Back Yard — January 18, 2011 @ 11:07 am
So lovely. I just made a shawlette for the Yarnery in Pediboo, the bamboo gave it nice drape and I’m with you on the more solid colors these days.
Comment by marylou — January 18, 2011 @ 11:49 am
ooh, Susan! How gorgeous is that!! “Wrapped in Love” indeed!
Comment by Suzan — January 18, 2011 @ 1:12 pm
Lovely! My best wishes to your friend for a very long and knitting happily kind of life 🙂
Comment by kmkat — January 18, 2011 @ 1:42 pm
It’s beautiful. . . so sweet of you to knit it for your friend.
Comment by Cath Pete — January 18, 2011 @ 6:11 pm
You are the GF, Good Friend. How wonderful that you did this for her.
Comment by Claudine — January 18, 2011 @ 6:20 pm
Absolutely gorgeous. Your friend will cherish such a wondeful and beautiful gift. I wish her well on her road to a full recovery.
Comment by Linda — January 18, 2011 @ 6:25 pm
It is lovely and your kindness will touch her heart for a lifetime. As someone who just underwent a bilateral mastectomy 8 weeks ago, I can attest to how overwhelming, humbling and comforting it is to be the recipient of our dear friends warmth and generosity. You did good!
Comment by Michelle — January 18, 2011 @ 8:21 pm
Lovely shawl and what an excellent way to spread some love and encouragement.
Comment by Beverly — January 18, 2011 @ 9:37 pm
Wow. It is just incredible. What a compassionate and thoughtful friend you are.
Comment by Kathy — January 19, 2011 @ 2:02 am
I love the color and modifications you made to the pattern. Your friend will feel your hugs whenever she wears it.
Did you chart the pattern for the modifications? Are they posted somewhere?
Comment by Robin F. — January 20, 2011 @ 2:54 pm
So beautiful! (That Botticelli Red is wonderful! I used it myself in a shawl. Love it.) Your friend will feel your love and support every time she throws that shawl around her shoulders. Good healing to her!
Comment by Kym — January 20, 2011 @ 6:42 pm
Your mods to the edging make it far more attractive. I looked on Rav to find the pattern, was disappointed, then realized it had been altered. Very nice.
Comment by skeindalous — January 21, 2011 @ 7:09 am
Please. please a post on how to do the pattern modification. The lacy inserts are so lovely.
Strength to your friend.
Comment by Candlepick — January 22, 2011 @ 4:13 am
I too, would like information on the pattern modification. I totally agree with you that tonal variegation is the way to go. I think it has a much more sophisticated and classy look.
Comment by Kathyb9922 — January 24, 2011 @ 4:36 pm