Sakura-Cherry Blossom Shawl!

Edited: Lisa asked what color # I've used for the Sakura Shawl. It's color # 4. And before you guys think I'm totally insane, let me make this clear: The pool opening is due to our crazy dog Biko. She jumps in whenever she gets hot after playing outside, even with the cover on, as long as there's water on top, and there is. She did that twice already and everytime my heart stopped. So there! And by the way, we do have a heater for the pool, but I never use it. As Dave said, the electricity bill would kill me! ;o) By the way, the pool guys rescheduled, it's raining today and very cold.



It's almost impossible to get some pictures on a sunny day! Yesterday the sun came out for about half an hour, and so you could see me run with the camera and the Sakura Shawl in hand. I couldn't wait for Hannah any longer. By the way, today when I woke up, everything was white again. That's how it goes around here, right now. In the morning there's fresh snow, but it melts quickly. Tomorrow the crew will come to open our pool, NO MATTER WHAT!

Now, back to the Sakura Shawl. Here you can see two swatches for the same with different yarn. On the right I used Kathmandu DK on 4.5mm, it's a yarn blend with cashmere in it.

On the left the swatch was made with Madil 100% Bamboo. This yarn is very drapey and cool to the touch. I don't know how it blocks though. Just wanted to give you an idea how this pattern looks like with different yarn.

You can use any yarn for this shawl, but I think it's especially good for "funny" yarn, as you can see below. Since the pattern is a very easy one, it's charm is in the yarn! ;o) I would have never thought I would, but sitting here, writing up this post, I'm WEARING this shawl! Unbelievable, but I told you I would. The yarn blend makes it possible, since it's not delicate at all. This will be my every day shawl.

Ah! Addi turbo lace circs, gift from heaven! But that's not why I wanted you to see the close up. It's because of the funny "pool noodle" like sections in this yarn (it's Noro Sakura by the way). Yes, they remind me of pool noodles, not only because of the color but also how they feel. It must be the silk content in this yarn. Normally I don't like thick-thin yarns, could have done without it here as well, but then again, it's part of the whole picture.

I used the Pillar Openwork stitch pattern from the perpetual Calendar. This calendar has many stitch patterns I like. I've used one for my lacey socks before, and one for a scarf, which is my "waiting anywhere take along" knit.

I did not a good job with blocking, but I was in a cramped space to do this. This shawl is huge! Well big anyway: 78" x 37". I was surprised that it would block that good anyway, considering the yarn blend: 36% Rayon 28% Polyester 18% Nylon 11% Silk 7% Wool. But it held it's shape as I pulled out the pins. You can block it straight, since there's no real border, but I didn't.

click the pics for close up

Here you see the color pretty accurately. I've used 6 and something skeins. Even though they had all the same color number, three of them where different, but as soon as I realized that, I tried to mix them up.

Of course the stripes get smaller the larger the shawl gets.

I've posted the pattern as pdf file on the side bar. As I said, it's an easy pattern, ideal for beginners and for yarn you don't know what the heck you should make with it. Would love to get some pictures, if you decide to make it.

This is a closeup of the project I'm working on right now.

And so you don't have to go without a doggie picture for too long, here's Biko chewing on the empty shell of Sam's White Bear. The stuffing's gone. Hannah took this picture through the shaft of her Pomatomus sock. They are finished and turned out beautiful. Pictures next time.

Well, there you have it. Happy knitting everyone!