Sunday, April 15, 2007

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!

22 comments:

jillian said...

What a beautiful pattern! Thank you for posting it.

Strickfimmel said...

Wow, der Shawl ist einsame Spitze geworden!! Sieht toll aus mit dem Regenbogengarn, aber auch die beiden anderen Farben machen sich sehr gut mit dem Muster.
Vielen Dank für die Anleitung. Ich habe sie schon gespeichert.

Wünsch Dir noch einen schönen Sonntag.

Sue J. said...

The shawl is just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing the pattern. I downloaded it right away. Such a cute picture of your baby. Hope you are having a good weekend.

LECY said...

Hello,

Congratulations for the beautiful tricot, I liked blankets!
I am Brazil and tambéns taste a lot of dog!

Good week and success!

Happiness!
Lecy
www.lecyeberhardt.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Great colours Monika! Really nice. And you had sun today? I miss the sun...I haven't seen it in so long! ;-) I haven't been able to take any photos of my current projects for my blog. Keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing you pattern. Brilliant the way your pattern brings out the best in the yarn. It is hard to find a shawl pattern where the colors and the stitch work so well together.
Punkin at Needle to Needle

Knitted Zebra said...

Wow! I love it!! I am eager to make one myself. It will definitely be high on my list. Don't you just love that Perpetual calendar. A friend showed me hers and I knew I had to have one also! Always love the doggie pics. Hugs from Sasha, Samson and Gabi to Sam and Biko!

Pooch said...

What a lovely shawl! I think I'll do it in neutral shades as a gift to wrap a newborn, then later to be worn by the new mommie!

Thanks so much for sharing the gorgeous pattern!

:)

Charles said...

I always look at your blog, I was tought your great knitter!!!

Also I injoy to see your sock knitting too!!!

Does are great pattern..Iam adding to my knitting list!

Thanks again!!

By the way..Visit my blog sometime!!

Anonymous said...

My gosh, this looks so fabulous - a true piece of art indeed! Thanks ever so much for sharing the pattern - and that cute picture of your little furry one too!

Larry said...

I'm never going to get back to my own projects list if you keep posting all the wonderful things you're finishing. The bag last week and now this gorgeous shawl. I have lots of yarn that I don't exactly know what to do with and I know some of it will be just ideal for the shawl. My hands are twitching just thinking about getting on to something new.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's gorgeous! I don't know how you manage to be so productive....

Dave said...

Open the pool? My neighbour did that a few years ago and warmed it as well.. The power bill that month killed him.

Anonymous said...

Love the Sakura shawl! Thank you for posting the pattern. Which color # did you use?

meg said...

wow, that came out so lovely. thanks for sharing the pattern, too.

Martina said...

Beautiful shawl! I can't wait to try it! Thanks for the pics in different yarns!

Shirley, in PA said...

I love your shawl. I downloaded the pattern and want to say thanks for sharing it. There is some Brooks Farm FourPlay yarn in my stash that would look great in this pattern. I used to be an avid quilter too, and just recently pulled out some of my supplies and started to finish an applique top I started 3 or 4 years ago. Felt strange, but good. The photo of Biko is really cool.

Violiknit said...

Wow, your shawl is GORGEOUS!!! Thank you so much for the pattern!

Kirsten said...

Beautiful pattern. Thanks for sharing!

Debi said...

Very pretty and very fun shawl! Thanks for sharing the pattern Monika!

Tell Hannah she's a knitting "natural"! :)

Anonymous said...

The shawl is really lovely, especially with the Sakura yarn!

Anonymous said...

Dieses Tuch ist wirklich genial. Ich wäre nie auf die Idee gekommen, mit diesem (traumhaften) Garn ein Tuch zu stricken. Jetzt allerdings lechtze ich regelrecht danach dieses Tuch nachzustricken, weil es absolut ungewöhnlich ist. Vielen herzlichen Dank für die Anleitung. Ich weiß zwar nicht, wann ich das auch noch stricken soll, aber es steht sehr weit oben auf der Liste. LG Arlene