Saturday, May 26, 2007

My painted Flower Buds Shawl!

all ready to be painted with Jacquared acid dye


still steaming, right out of the microwave oven



early morning sunshine

I knit the middle stitch in garter stitch, I like it better that way

Oh the smell! Heavenly!

I hope some of the pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.



Do you know how you feel after a very satisfying meal, eaten with nice company in a relaxed atmosphere? That's right! That's how I feel about this project now.


The idea of painting lace intrigued me, and now I want to do some more of it, lots more! I can't say that this one turned out the way I planned it, not quite, but the result surprised me.


The first try knitting this shawl, I had to rip out, it didn't work out at all, and I didn't like the stitch pattern anymore.


As I neared the end of knitting this shawl, I had severe doubts about doing this altogether. I had no real plan or pattern to follow. I took all the wisdom I had from knitting a few shawl, and incorporated it into this shawl. To get going I started out with garter stitch, which is comfort knitting. While doing that, I could think of what would be next. Leaving through my Knitting Stitches calendar I found this lovely "Flower Buds" stitch pattern, and liked it so much, that I used it next. I knit this until I got incredible bored with it, thinking of what to do next. Knitting a garter stitch ridge to separate the flower buds from whatever would follow seemed a good idea to me, and it gave me time to decide. It's hard to find stitch pattern which go well together, and I didn't want it to be totally different and make me look like a doofus. I found the fir cone pattern in "Traditional knitted lace shawls" by Martha Waterman. It seemed familiar to me. Later, after knitting two repeats, I remembered, that I've knit this pattern with the "Shetland Triangle Shawl" from the book Wrap Style. I loved that one the first time around, and still do.


Knitting without a pattern is very liberating, but risky too. How to now, when to stop? Will the proportions turn out right? The shawl looked kind of funny to me, all pulled together, and kind of small. That's when I had to trust in the magic power of blocking. I thought, I've gotten this far, now I have to finish it. Didn't feel the love at that moment.


Finished with a few rows of garter stitch once again, and bound off. Left it there in a heap, disgusted with my idea, and spying the mountain of knitting books in the corner! Why do I do that? There are perfectly good and wonderful patterns to knit after, with works from designers who know what they were doing.


Anyway, next day, early in the morning I mixed the colores, and AFTER that remembered to find something to protect the furniture and did I even have brushes? I didn't, but I knew where to find them. In Hannah's room. Sorry Hannah, they are dyed now, beautiful blue and yellow. I'll buy you new ones. ;o)


Well, the shawl was soaked in a vinegar/water bath and ready to go. It went well for a while, but once I thought my back was breaking because I had to lean over the d... thing for so long, that's when it happened. I spilled the blue color! Heart stopping moment, I can tell you. Sweat was tripping from my nose (it was hot that day, and still is, even in the morning). Naturally it spilled where I didn't want to have the color in the end. So I had to rethink and fast. As you can see, it turned out well. As I said, not quite like I wanted it, but I've learned to make it better the next time. A lot of learning going on around here these days, don't you think? ;o)


I'm pleased with it nevertheless. It's done, and joined all the others I made so far. Here's some more info, for those who are still with me:


yarn: Knit Picks Bare 70% Merino Wool, 30% Silk, 161g or 709 yds


needles: 4mm addi lace circulars (heavenly to knit with)


size after blocking: 39" x 65"


There was a void to be filled after completing this project. I didn't cast on right away for something new. Mainly because of the pain in my arm and fingers in both hands. But, right now I have knit some of my handspun, started my HAT! It's a cool feeling knitting with your own yarn, even if it's spun badly, but that doesn't matter right now. I'm improving every day now.


Besides this hat, I only have the squares to knit. Two a week. In between I'll spin and think of what to knit next. I'd like to spin yarn for a shawl as soon as I'm able to, meaning able to spin fine yarn, on the wheel or with the drop spindle. I'm still looking for a shawl pattern. I might think up my own again, but it all depends on how much yardage I'll get out of my lovely greenish roving. Hope it will be a lot! ;o)


Thanks everyone for your nice comments and advice on my spinning wheel. I need all the help I can get!

Have a wonderful weekend you all! Happy spinning and knitting!

35 comments:

Sue J. said...

Gorgeous, Monika. You are so talented. I would never have the courage to hand paint a piece of lace, but yours turned out so lovely! Congratulations on another terrific shawl. Have a great weekend, and give the boys a smooch for me.

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

I think it's absolutely beautiful. I haven't done much lace knitting, but really want to start. I had no idea you could color it after knitting.

Anonymous said...

You are so brave in your fibery pursuits!! The shawl is beautiful - I love how you painted it!

Kris B said...

The shawl is gorgeous. Not only is the design awesome but the color scheme is beautiful.

I remember knitting my first spun yarn and recall that I was impressed with how even it looked, even though the yarn was a bit rough. I hope you get the same feeling as you knit with yours.

Cloudberry said...

It's beautiful. Love the colours :)

shannon said...

it literally made me gasp when i saw it. just lovely, monika!!

Kat said...

OMG, it's gorgeous, Monika!!! You did a fabulous job!

I missed what kind of dye you used? It's absolutely incredible and you should wear it with pride!

Dave said...

I think it's gorgeous. The colouring really accents it and gives it added dimension. Well done!

Strickfimmel said...

Oh Manno, ich komme gar nicht so schnell nach, Deine neuen Beitäge zu kommentieren. Der Shawl ist Dir supergut gelungen. In Weiß sah er ja schon ganz schön aus, aber in den wunderschönen Grüntönen ist er absolut der Hammer. Die Möglichkeit und die Idee, Gestricktes nachtäglich zu färben, ist genial. Irgendwann werde ich das bestimmt auch ausprobieren.

Martina said...

Monika! That is absolutely stunning. Congratulations on taking the plunge. You are so talented!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, that is so beautiful! I love the way it looks like a leaf, the way the greens are shaded. So gorgeous!

Unknown said...

How beautiful.

meg said...

beautiful Monika!!

Anonymous said...

Wow. That shawl is simply stunning. It's a work of art.

I could almost smell the lilacs through my computer screen. Mmmmmm...

Tracy Purtscher said...

You've got a winner there Darlin'!!!!

heh heh, yeah I've spilled the dang dye before too. No more paper cups or light weight plastic cups ever again!!!! :-)

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful! WOW.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful - really gorgeous!

Sheri said...

Awesome! Truly a beautiful work of art.

Anonymous said...

Monika,
It looks just fabulous! Ever since I saw Margaret Stove's painted lace, I've wanted to try it. You are so talented!
Louise

T-Mom said...

That is gorgeous. I'm awe-struck!

Carrie K said...

Oh, man, Monika that dye job and design was accidental, more or less? It looks absolutely gorgeous.

Sarah said...

WOW! I am very impressed. That shawl is stunning!

Debi said...

It's beautiful Monika! So unique and creative!

Heike said...

Hallo Monika,
meine Englischkenntnisse sind ja sehr begrenzt aber in Deinem Eintrag ist soviel Begeisterung und Kreativität zu spüren - Wahnsinn! Du denkst, die Designer wissen was sie tun?? Ich glaube nicht. Ich denke sie trauen sich einfach etwas auszuprobieren. Ich mache immer nur alles nach. Um sicher zu sein, dass das Ergebnis was wird. Ach, ich wünsche mir, ich könnte auch ein bisschen experimentierfreudiger werden. Dein Tuch ist einfach wunderbar und diese Farben hätte man ja nie so hinbekommen wenn man farbiges Garn verwendet hätte. Ich bin sehr beeindruckt von Dir und Deinem Mut.

Ganz viele Grüsse von Heike

sgeddes said...

I think this came out wonderful. Looks like butterfly wings with the way that is painted.

Seeing yours makes me want to try that! Beautiful job!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Monika, your shawl has turned out so amazing. What a great project you have worked through, from beginning to end.

Violiknit said...

Soooo gorgeous! Belongs in an art gallery!

Anonymous said...

This is definitely a real piece of art - absolutely stunning and gorgeous! The colour scheme is one of the most beautiful ones that I've seen for long - you've outdone yourself with it! Congratulations!

eyeleen said...

It's so beautiful! Wow, I've never thought of using dye to paint the finished project, and yours is just stunning.

Anonymous said...

Painted lace - very, very interesting. Yours turned out gorgeous!

brooke t. higgins said...

The shawl is amazing. I've never even heard of handpainting the yarn after it's been knitted, and you gave a great first example. I love it!

KelInCal said...

So pretty - love the colors! Nice job!

yarnivorous said...

Oh boy oh boy oh boy! Now I have to knit a white shawl and paint it and see if I can make mine look even a quarter as pretty as yours! (This is after we move halfway around the world of course....)
You've got the double drive sorted on your wheel now? I stick to scotch tension - less brain fragging that way ;-)

Lacefreak said...

Very beautiful and clever use of your dyes!

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

What a creative idea and such a stunning result. Thanks for your inspiration.