It’s shawl season. Not that there’s a particular season for shawls, but periodically — out of boredom, frustration with fit, yarn lust — I get into the mood to knit nothing but shawls. I’ve knit three of them in the last few weeks. The first was Waiting for Rain. This is the second, which I finished a couple of weeks ago. I’ll about post my third one (also finished!) next time.
This shawl is Newfoundland, designed by Anne-Lise Maigaard. If you aren’t familiar with her patterns, she has designed a number of lovely shawls, several of which are in my queue. I liked the shallow crescent shape of Newfoundland as well as the “squared off” ends. It’s knit from the bottom up so you cast on all the stitches at once. (In other words, it starts off slowly.)
The yarn I used is Cashsilk Lace from Sweet Georgia Yarns (55% silk, 45% cashmere; 400 yards in a 50 gram skein). The color, Seagrass, was a custom dye for Knit Purl in Portland, Oregon. I purchased it to make a Forest Path stole, but the color changes that are so subtle in the skein did not look good in that pattern. Forest Path is built from entrelac blocks and the color became too blocky. It worked well for Newfoundland, though. I did put in the beads (there are very few of them in the pattern) but I think they sort of disappear in most light.
In a surprise turn of events, I also tackled a sewing project. I rarely sew. Rarely means that the last time I sewed something it was a poodle skirt for my now 30 year-old daughter’s 8th grade play. I bought myself a brand new sewing machine months ago and hadn’t taken it out of the box. When Susan was here for the Sheep & Wool Festival, I got inspired and bought some fabric. Here is the top I made. It ain’t couture, but it fits!
ETA: The sewing pattern I used is called the Wiksten Tank. It can be a dress or a top; I changed the length to be sort of in between so I’d have a summer tunic.
Excellent matching of the pattern for your pocket! Beautiful shawl, too!
Comment by Daisy — May 29, 2016 @ 6:51 pm
I’m sewing too! Looking through what seems like hundreds of patterns to find the golden one. Too bad there isn’t a Ravelry for sewists.
Comment by Chris — May 29, 2016 @ 7:22 pm
I’ve dusted off my machine, too! Which pattern did you use?
Comment by Susan — May 29, 2016 @ 10:21 pm
Lovely shawl…the yarn is gorgeous!
Yes, sewing seems to be making a comeback….I think it is the simple styles we all want now that is making it possible to get back into sewing…the one pattern that you can make X amount of ways. Love your top 🙂
Comment by Anne — May 30, 2016 @ 8:12 am
Would look great with denim or white pants. I used to sew too. Not as much ripping but not as much fun either – for me anyway!
Comment by Chloe — June 2, 2016 @ 9:37 pm