Melanie Berg is a prolific and talented shawl designer. I saw her Together Apart shawl knit and loved the lace pattern and the colors Melanie used (Tosh Merino Light Copper Pink solid with Phantasm stripes). I bought the identical yarn and began to knit.
About halfway through the knitting, I began to feel guilty. In her description of the pattern, Melanie wrote: “Knit two shawls in inverted colorways and send one to your friend! The intertwined colors are a reminder that even when we’re apart, we’re still a part of each other’s lives.”
During the course of this never ending pandemic I’ve had to cancel four trips. I missed a family vacation (where I’d get to see my son, who lives in Seattle), a baby shower in Minneapolis, a charity gala I attend every year with dear friends, and knitting camp. I’m lucky that my daughter lives here in town, but I miss my friends and family deeply. Susan is both my sister and my best friend. Not being able to visit in person is no fun!
So I bought more yarn and when I finished my predominantly pink shawl, I knit one for my sister in the reverse colors. It took me about two weeks for each shawl. (It just felt longer.) I popped Susan’s in the mail today.
Here are photos of the two shawls. Someday soon, if we’re lucky, they (and we) will be Together Again instead of Together Apart.
Happy Knitting and stay safe everyone.
PS from Susan: My shawl is stunning! I know the lace was not a simple pattern and the shawl is very generous in size, so I know how much work was involved. Whew!! I can’t wait to get it! Sally said she had a little trouble trying to figure out the best way to wear hers, but I love this shape and I love the colors! Thank you to my lil sistie! I dreamt last night that she popped into town to surprise me. Even though she spilled the beans about the shawl during our virtual camp Zoom call, it still is like a surprise visit from Surly!
Both are beautiful – Susan will be thrilled, I’m sure!
Comment by Mary Mathieson — July 16, 2020 @ 7:35 pm
What a lovely, lovely set of shawls and heartfelt and beautiful gift. I am on the phone with my sister more than usual as well. Isn’t there a book out there about the relationship between/among sisters? Chloe
Comment by Chloe — July 17, 2020 @ 7:13 am
These are beautiful! I just can’t believe you whipped each of these out in 2 weeks! I’m quite sure it would take me much longer than that. Congratulations! The lace section is stunning.
Comment by p — July 17, 2020 @ 9:42 am
Gorgeous shawls, both! Now I’m tempted to do the same for my cousin, who knits too!
Comment by Samina — July 17, 2020 @ 10:28 am
Sally, your work is impeccable……especially the wonderful lace sections! Melanie is truly an artist of shawl design. Lucky you and lucky Susan. The shawls are a beautiful gift to yourself, and your sister Susan. Kudos! Cathy Rootness
Comment by Cathy Rootness — July 17, 2020 @ 3:09 pm
Your shawls are gorgeous! Lucky you and lucky Susan! I hope Susan wears hers during our Zoom meeting today- evem though the temps here in Mpls will be a high of 92. With jungle like humidity, they say it will feel like 105! Yuk! If she does, she will get lots of oooohs and ahhhhhs! So sorry you have missed all those trips! My oldest grandson who is now stationed in Monterey, CA (poor baby)for the Air Force had his vacation leave cancelled! We are all grieving about it but he is taking it quite well. Stay well!
Comment by Kathy W. — July 18, 2020 @ 1:53 pm
What a wonderful way to be together. I know what you mean about canceled trips, my son and DIL are also in Seattle now, I can’t wait to be able to visit them whenever it’s possible. We managed to get together for an hour in a nearby gas station parking lot as they drove from Norfolk to Seattle this spring, all gloved and masked but it was better than nothing.
Comment by Pru — July 23, 2020 @ 7:53 pm
The shawls look so wonderful together – just the way I like seeing you and your sister. Though I certainly am happy to see either one of you on your own, too.
Comment by twinsetellen — August 1, 2020 @ 12:58 am