New Year’s Eve in Minnesota and not a flake to be found. It is very disappointing and not a little disturbing (see “An Inconvenient Truth,” “Soylent Green,” and “The Day after Tomorrow”).
Because it has been a brown winter, it never did quite seem very Christmasy or wintery. Last fall, Sally and I started a project we were both very enthusiastic about, but it never “got legs” so to speak. It was a shawl that would be gorgeous (IF it worked) to wear during the holiday season — very festive and certainly wintery in nature. It is the Winter Wonderland Shawl designed by Sharon Winsauer.
The pattern is available from the Alpaca Yarn Company which also carries the Forest Path Stole pattern (featured in Interweave Knits a few years ago). Sally and I fell in love with this shawl, immediately ordered the yarn, and started cranking out snowflakes like crazy. We didn’t post anything because we realized that this project could flop very easily because of the unusual construction — we wanted to see if it would work before posting. We forged ahead and then, like so many times before, momentum stopped. As Sally recently put it, “Its time has passed.” So, these are the only snowflakes in Minnesota — at least anywhere near my home:
Aren’t they wonderful? If nothing else, the snowflakes could be appliqued onto something. This project is set to resurface in the fall of 2007 — if there is snow for inspiration. If it is another brown year, I’m not sure the muses will deem this project knit-worthy.
Project details: 13 snowflakes are knit individually on dpns using “Glimmer” (3 skeins); then you pick up around each snowflake with Suri Elegance (1 skein) and knit the background. To finish: graft the snowflakes together and knit an edging with Glimmer.
I miss snow, and I miss winter.
From Sally: Here are a few photos of my snowflakes, including one with its knitted background. (I know, I know. Mine aren’t as nicely blocked and finished as my sister’s yet.)
PS from Susan — it started snowing, but it’s too warm to stick much. Turning to ice tonight for New Year’s Eve travel (!).
Hey maybe your posting has worked! It just started snowing here in Minnetonka!
Comment by Connie — December 31, 2006 @ 1:48 pm
I don’t want to know how you knitted them only because they’re beautiful and could be addictive!
Comment by Marina — December 31, 2006 @ 2:39 pm
Those are stunning! I have some crocheted snowflakes that are ornaments. Yours look so soft and fuzzy, much more appealing than the starched crocheted ones.
Re: the comment from Connie. Snowflakes coming down in M’tonka? It had been raining solidly here (75 mi. n.e. of downtown Mpls) for about 18 hours, but when I just looked out the window it had stopped. Ice coming? Gee, I can’t wait. Must call #1 son — who borrowed my car to spend the weekend with various friends in the IC — and nag him to drive very carefully. Or maybe not at all.
I hope to see your snowflake shawls next year. They look to be gorgeous.
Comment by kmkat — December 31, 2006 @ 3:21 pm
That looks like a difficult one to tackle, but if is at all knitable you ladies are the ones to do it! Happiest of 2007!
Comment by Michelle — December 31, 2006 @ 5:03 pm
I haven’t seen that pattern before – love the snowflakes!
It is snowing here in Northfield – looks like 1.5 or more inches so far (4:45 pm). Happy new year!
Comment by June — December 31, 2006 @ 6:45 pm
Around these parts of California, fog is considered a White Christmas. Cute snowflakes! I hope you get the snow you want.
Comment by Carrie K — December 31, 2006 @ 7:48 pm
Hey cuz, be careful what you wish for! It’s piling up and looking beautiful!
Comment by Marti — December 31, 2006 @ 10:32 pm
the snowflakes are gorgeous!
Comment by vanessa — January 1, 2007 @ 1:22 am
That’s a lovely knit! Don’t feel bad, down here all it takes to make us feel in the winter/holiday spirit is a little cool weather. We don’t ask for much! We didn’t get much either. It’s in the 80s here. Anyway, a Very Happy New Year to you all!
Comment by Carol — January 1, 2007 @ 9:21 am
Do you knit the snowflake shawls to sell to others, I’m in love. Never knitted a thing but love all the hand arts. I collect textiles and shawls. Have been collecting shawls since I was a young teen, now I’m 60. Your snowflake shawl is beautiful and unique. If the spirit ever moves you to sell, send me an email. Thanks, Barbara
Comment by barbara sigismund — May 29, 2007 @ 10:32 am
/mouth falls open in amazement/
Wow. Just… wow.
Comment by Janice in GA — March 16, 2008 @ 9:46 am