Ice Cream Fun Day Shawl
In August this year I was privileged to be part of an 'Introduction to Yarn Dyeing' class in Tauranga, run by Mama Jay's Hand Dyed Yarns. Jayne is Mama Jay, and a delightful lady. It was a really fun experience and I ended up really happy with my efforts. I found the whole process fascinating, exciting - and creative! And yes, I am now also very keen to dye more yarn at some point!
When I arrived home with my most wondrous creation I started thinking about it's potential. Looking through my stash I found some ***DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk that I had purchased online and it seemed they were made to complement each other nicely! I very quickly decided I would have a go at designing a triangular shawl. I envisaged a lovely lightweight item because of the Alpaca/Silk Blend, together with the merino/nylon combo in the yarn I dyed, which incidentally, was produced by New Zealand company Skeinz - a Napier based company located in the Hawkes Bay area of the North Island.
*** There are various other options you may use in place of this yarn, some of which may be found here.
As I was merrily (mostly!) creating away, I was constantly reminded of a very popular and iconic Kiwi (New Zealand) Ice Cream Treat known as Jelly Tip, first discovered when I was a child. It came out on a stick back then, is still available today, and it has also been turned into a tub ice cream in more recent years, which I love. The beekeeper (aka the husband) also commented thus, before I could voice my own thoughts to him. Can you understand that I really wanted to call it the Jelly Tip Shawl?! Understandably though, the company, Tip Top have the name trademarked and I am unable to use it! Coming up with an alternative name was really hard! Such a challenge! I decided I wanted the name to convey the thoughts and feelings that went along with the creation of this shawl, so I decided on Ice Cream Fun Day, because of the memories, associated both with Jelly Tip and also the Yarn Dyeing Experience.
There are 6 pages to the download and the shawl is constructed using a combination of very simple stitch patterns, mainly garter stitch and eyelet lace, varied mainly by colour placement and the number of rows worked.
Because it is very easily constructed it is also quite a mindless knit. Measuring 172cm/ 68'' in length/width (across top of shawl) and 75cm/ 29'' in depth/height, when knitted as directed it uses under 3.5 balls of the Alpaca Silk plus my hand dyed hank (100gms/357m), of which I had a small amount left over. The finished item weighs a mere 169 gms/just under 6oz. I used a 4mm/USA 6 circular needle all the way, though a circular is not necessary. I do find though, that I mostly use circular needles now, because they are so portable, and the weight of the knitting is also better distributed.
There's an I Cord edge worked along one side of this shawl, and another very simple edge finish worked on the other side. Both are knitted in as you go so there is no extra work involved. When the shawl is finished with the I Cord Bind Off the two sides of the shawl end up having matching I Cord edges and the top of the shawl has another (also neat) edge.
Instructions throughout are thorough, clear and there are also excellent video tutorial links included for anyone who may need further assistance.
A symmetrical, triangular shawl, this item is very easy to wear and style.
I plan on taking it when I leave for my trip overseas next week. It will be a very portable and snug accessory, of that I am sure. My trip is going to include visits to Vogue Knitting Live, San Francisco, Yarndale, and the Knitting and Stitching Show in London. Yes - I'm excited! And there will be much to tell on my return, I'm pretty certain!
Purchase options for this pattern and all my designs may be found here.