another shawl off the needles ...

Last month I watched a podcast by Cozy Up with the StitchinSisters - whom I had not come across before, but stumbled upon on YouTube as I was browsing. On that podcast I spotted a lovely shawl being worn by one of the twins (there are 4 sisters, to be clear!) and knitted from a pattern recently designed by them. I felt myself being reeled in, funnily enough! I decided to think about it a bit more, wondering if I could justify purchasing the pattern, considering all the other patterns I own, many of which may in actual fact end up being casualties of my other hobby - known as, purchasing without purpose! Yes, it's a thing! A thing closely related to addictive behaviour! Which, by the way, seriously needs addressing! Of course I tried telling myself that maybe I should design something similar, but what would be the point in that? I liked this shawl! It has already been designed for me! It could be one of my winding down patterns in between designs, when I need to give my brain a rest! I couldn't get it out of my mind, and it seemed to be such a versatile knit with so many options. I had all the answers - to my own questions, other addicts will know how that goes! I let it slide, temporarily ...

Later on, thinking about a wedding we are attending down in Christchurch at the end of April, I was busy contemplating possible outfit combos while 'shopping my wardrobe.' I spotted a dress recently purchased for a pittance from a charity store, an absolute score! I thought of some yarn in my stash that might go with it to jazz it up a little, whilst also providing an easy, extra layer if the weather turned colder. To begin with, I thought about knitting another Cloud Kisses Shawl since the yarn I was considering using was in two colours, and so was that particular design. And I did already have the pattern, after all ! But then I remembered, Katie's Shawl, by Cozy Up Designs on Ravelry. That the version I had seen being worn was also in two colours!

And, the design was such that it might rather nicely complement the dress I was thinking of wearing. Bam! Sold! Pattern purchased and downloaded!

How very exciting - the thrill of the chase, and all that!

I thought it might be fun to show you some of my outfit thus far - but please note, the black flower on the boots was 'just for fun' and I probably won't wear it like that, if I wear it at all. If it gets really cold I may even get away with wearing my Kiwi Traveler Poncho over top, which kind of goes, but hey, if it's really cold ... I will make it work! The way the weather is looking at the moment though, I may also have to have a summer alternative at the ready!

I am so happy this shawl is finished. Not because of anything to do with the pattern, but rather, because although the end product feels and looks gorgeous, folds down very small and weighs less than 150gms - this yarn is not fun (or quick) to knit. It is a very fine, laceweight mohair/nylon blend and because of this is knitted on bigger needles than you would expect to knit it on. It was however, also perfectly suited to this design, which actually calls for fingering weight. And ... it was in my stash! I still have some in my stash by the way - eek! I made the shawl as indicated in the pattern, exactly as stated for two colours, until I reached the last section, where I lengthened it and added my own variation towards the end. The pattern actually provides for 1 main colour and 5 contrasting colours, but you could go wild with it really, and easily. It's a seriously great stash buster!

Knitting with this yarn though, feels like knitting cobwebs with crowbars! Has anyone ever done that?! I wouldn't be surprised if someone has, to be honest! However, because I knew I would love the end result, and I'm good at playing the martyr, I persevered! And let me tell you, when the rows kept growing towards the end, as is the nature of this design, it truly felt like a marathon of epic proportions! Last night, as I also struggled to watch the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, it felt very much to me like this was the shawl that would never end! I was halfway to finishing the cast off when I had to be realistic and make a decision, that with this yarn and this size of needle I was not going to be able to do it with my eyes wide shut! I woke up early this morning, made a coffee which I took back to bed, and finished the cast off and dealing with the ends before I let myself get out of bed again! It's done - yeay!!!

I bought the pattern on March 17. I started knitting it on March 18. I finished it on April 5. Mostly, I worked on it in the evenings. I love the design. The pattern is easy to follow. I did find it a bit odd that the rows are not numbered in this pattern, but that might be the Canadian Way of doing things, I'm not sure! Coming from 'Down Under' I have been used to having numbered rows all my life, in order to know where I am going and where I have come from. Must be a Kiwi thing! So because I am also a DIY Kiwi from Down Under, I numbered them as I worked! It's not a biggie.

I hope to one day make another one of these shawls - but in a yarn I love to knit with! I have also recorded this shawl to my Projects File on Ravelry. A wonderful resource, when one is considering the purchase of a pattern there. So to that end, I hope you will be inspired by mine, here or there, if you are contemplating knitting this design! I know I am going to get a lot of wear out of this one!

I think I might whip up some slippers over the next couple of nights though!

I need a quick project now! Until next time!