Wednesday, June 29, 2011

One Size Fits All............


Following my little preview a few days ago, I can now share what has been keeping me busy for the last three weeks!!  I am still not certain I will fly through the next graphed knitting project, but am confident enough to give it a red hot go again some time soon.  I am not even sure I'll wear this shawl, despite how beautifully soft and drapey it feels.

The back is very appealing, and I'm sure this shawl would prove quite a head turner.  In all honesty, I don't think I'd be comfortable wearing this.  I plan to wrap it up carefully, with mothproofing, and hope it will adorn some precious baby in the near future. 






The completed shawl, shown here, measures 48 inches square, now that it has been pinned out and pressed.  It started life as three stitches!!  The inner garter stitch square was knitted diagonally, increasing and then decreasing.  The 'first' border was then picked up on a circular needle and worked [and worked] until it was time to finish with the outer border.

A few years ago I purchased three x 100g balls of handspun wool from The Fibre Hut, near Gatton, Queensland.  I know nothing more than what is on the label, ie 100g, 2/22 pure wool.  I can't seem to contact the lady again, so perhaps her business has folded.  The needles I used were 4.00mm, which gave a light, open effect to the knitting, yet there is still a lot of solid ground to offer warmth. 

This shawl pattern was taken from an ANNA magazine dated 1983.  I was stabbing in the dark at times with the instructions, but after a few failed attempts, things finally fell into place.  For the technically minded, I have to tell you the last four rows of the first border contained just over 860 stitches.  It took me seven days of constant knitting to knit off those stitches with the outer border!!

In this grouping I've included the shawl as it appears in ANNA, as well as two different versions of the same design, taken from a small Patons & Baldwins book from yesteryear [price 2/6d].  The view on the right has been knitted with the garter stitch on the 'straight', and the b&w view shows a shawl which in fact is circular, knitted on two needles, with a slightly different border than the ANNA version.  This is indeed a tried and true design, standing the test of time.  I have always enjoyed the thrill of lace knitting, making numerous matinee jackets when we were all having babies.  It has been a number of years since I have actually knitted a garment that is supposed to fit someone, so I thought I might satisfy my urges with this, and worry about the size later.  I must say too that I did not have the corrrect wool as stated in ANNA, nor did I wish to spend time waiting on something to arrive, so I forged ahead with what I had, using a needle size which felt comfortable for the wool being used.  I had to add more rows to the original inside square, and adapt the lace pattern instructions from there on, as my wool was obviously much finer.  I think the finished article would have only been useful for a premmie baby had I followed the pattern.  

There seems to be a lot of hype surrounding lace knitting these days, with some spectacular projects being made.  I still have more than enough of this wool to do something else.  The whole project took a little over 100grams, and is honestly as light as a feather.

Thank you all again for your continued interest in the things I make, and the life I have here.  Your support is wonderful.

14 comments:

Karyn said...

Oh Linda, that is simply stunning! Just gorgeous; what fine wool you must have used. What a lucky baby to have this for a gift.
FYI, I would wear this, in a flash; how soft and warm it looks for our chilly winter.

shirley said...

Linda, this is gorgeous, unbelievably fine and delicate. I would never have thought of using a baby shawl to wear as an adult, but it looks wonderful, and would be so just the thing for the inbetween seasons.
Is there no end to your talents.

Anonymous said...

Linda, The shawl is as beautiful as I thought it would be. You are so talented. Just lovely. Laurel

Julie T said...

Just beautiful Linda.... but then again I just love everything you make

Jenny said...

Simply stunning...... baby shawl, Christening shawl, wedding shawl, special occasion shawl, who cares, it is just beautiful & deserves to be used.

Anonymous said...

It is a beautiful shawl and you have done a wonderful job following the graph too. I haven't attempted graph knitting as such but have writteno ut a pattern from a very simple graph so it was easier to follow. I've got loads of beautiful knitting books for ladies and babies that are vintage and belonged to Mum or some that Lance has come across over the years. SO many beautiful knits....Katherine

Frances Leate said...

Absolutely stunning shawl Linda and so beautifully knitted. Maybe the pattern lost something in the translation - isn't "Anna" a German magazine with some issues published in English. I have a few of these magazines buried in my Archives because one day I might get to make some of the beautiful things in them! Take care.

Kerrie said...

Oh Linda - this shawl is absolutely gorgeous - i love it - love it - love it. One very special baby will get to use this one day. Congratulations on another beautiful item - you are so very clever. Just love seeing what you have done.

Radka said...

FANTASTIC !!! Linda! What a beauty, well done !!! Oh, it would be such a shame not to wear it! But, then, yes, I can understand about "precious baby" in the future :-))
There is me still in the planning stage and you have gone and made it! Well done!! Yap, there are some who talk and then there are some who do LOL!

Iceni UK said...

Linda, your knitted shawl looks fabulous, it looks so delicate and elegant to wear. I love all of the work you create.
Hugs
Isabell

DIAN said...

Linda, I have missed this post - sorry - I am not sure where the time goes lately.

The shawl is truly gorgeous and I am sure will become a family heirloom.

N. Maria said...

Miss Shirley gave me your blog and I'm so happy she did! Your wool and needles (with your help) knit the most beautiful shawl! Absolutely gorgeous!
The most fancy I've knit is one of Galina's triangular shawls.
I am so glad you blog so I can read it and drool!

embracingitall said...

Linda, this is a work of art. How beautiful. I can just imagine a bonny wee babe wrapped up in all of those gorgeous stitches. Jacinta

gillyflower said...

Amazing! Such beautiful, intricate work, well done!
Found your lovely blog via "A Passion for vintage textiles", so glad to find you!
Gill xx