Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Modified Sakura Shawl

Some time in July somebody wanted to knit my Sakura Cherry Blossom shawl, but she could not get further then the 34 rows I wrote out. She asked me rather rude for help, apologized later, so I sat down and cast on for the shawl to see how I could help her (it has been rather a long time since I worked on this myself). I wrote out another 30 rows after that, and was wishing for her to see how to proceed from there. I've never heard from her again. I think it's too easy now with the Internet pounding out an e-mail if there's a problem, instead of sitting down and trying to figure it out for oneself. I admit I've done it too, but learned from this experience to really only use this way of getting help if all else fails. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to help if I can.

Modified Sakura shawl-2

At first I thought what a waste of my time. I had just grabbed some yarn in my stash, which I was not too fond of. I ripped it out again, but was thinking why not give it another try, but a little different.

Modified Sakura shawl-8

I changed the edge increases so I could pick up stitches easier later on. Next after a few pillar stitch patterns followed by garter stitch rows, I increased the garter stitch rows from the initial 3 ridges by two ridges after each pillar segment. I lost patience and interest after I reached 11 ridges (I know short attention span). It was just a whim after all. What I really was after was the edging! I always wanted to knit a sideways edging, but so far never got to it. I liked this edge design from the moment I first saw it. It comes in different sizes. Mine I picked out of "A Gathering of Lace". It takes a while to knit, but I was so happy with every stitch I made.

The truth about this project whether it would be a success or not would reveal itself after blocking. And you really have to block this shawl, because of the pillar stitch pattern it leans heavily to the right. The border opened up nicely!

Modified Sakura shawl-3

I'm especially proud of the tip, with some few extra short rows I got around it in a round way:
Modified Sakura shawl-6


What the heck, I did a crochet bind off on the top edge too, just so.
Modified Sakura shawl-4

The yarn was some sale yarn from elann. It's Australian merino wonderful soft, but made a little scratchy by the lame thread. I WAS thinking of spinning something like that some day, but not anymore. Anyway, sometimes I like shiny.

Modified Sakura shawl-14

pattern: my own
yarn: King Australian Merino & Lame, 4.5 balls, each 50g/175yds, 91% sw merino 9% lame, color# 81
needle: 4mm
size after blocking: 34" x 56"
start-finish: July 14 - 22

***

35 comments:

2paw said...

I am sad to hear that someone was not kind to you. It's an ill wind though, and your shawl is gorgeous!! I would never choose rainbows of colour for myself but I love looking at them!! The points are particularly beautiful!!!

Jeanne said...

Very pretty! I love the edging....

Chery said...

WOW! Beautiful! I love that edge pattern also.

Alexandra said...

The edging is gorgeous! I think I'll have to get that book... The tip is very pretty!

Wanderingcatstudio said...

It's beautiful. I love that edging. Usually it's the edgings that sell a shawl for me

Martina said...

So beautiful, very very nice!! I love that edge pattern also.

Cathy R said...

De lurking to say:

STUNNING!!!

Oh, and I really enjoy your dog photos.

Toby said...

I stumbled across your photos on Ravelry earlier today. I absolutely love the combination of your Sakura Shawl with this border, just gorgeous.

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Your shawl is a stunner!!! That edging is gorgeous and I've never seen anything like it (and I've seen a lot - LOL). I'm so pleased that despite the ungracious manner of the person who inquired - something really special and nice happened as a result.

Marissa said...

Love This! I love the color, that edging, and the crochet edge as well. Gorgeous!

momsue84 said...

So sorry you had to experience someone's nastiness. She should have been thanking you for the gorgeous pattern. The edging is just stunning. Have you thought about starting a Ravelry store? I'd be your first customer.

Maggie said...

Monika, this is gorgeous! I really like how the yarn gives a warm gray general colour, and then there is the rainbow when you look more closely.

I'm behind on your blog! Wow, the photos of Happy...he's growing so fast! Seeing him next to Biko is mind-blowing.

Sharon V said...

Your shawl is beautiful and I like the colors a lot! I've heard several people say they got their shawl edgings from A Gathering of Lace. Maybe it's time for me to check out that book.

Thanks for the pics, and the tip!

Anonymous said...

That looks great. I like the sparkle in the yarn and the edging is great.

Anonymous said...

I saw this in Ravelry today - so gorgeous! I love the edging. People really don't seem to work things out for themselves much lately - I think the precise instructions have spoiled/ruined them a bit. I've heard of people who can't read charts, for heaven's sake.

hakucho said...

I love it!! That edging really makes the shawl special and the pattern without the edging is none too shabby by itself!! Very beautiful :)

lookinout said...

That shawl is really interesting. I like the colour and the overall effect. You work amazingly fast.
Gillian

Anonymous said...

I am thinking that I will be making this soon too - I have so many of your lovely projects in my queue - just stop being so clever and nice though ok?

Sherri said...

It's beautiful ...

hannah said...

What a beautiful shawl!

What was that person thinking? That you are some sort of employee?! She should feel honoured that you helped her out!

illusions said...

It's incredibly delicate and beautiful. Fantastic knitting.

Renata S. P. said...

Monika, that's really pretty with this edge! I love it!

I understand your point of view about "asking for help", and I have the same opinion. It also happens to me.

Tina said...

What a beauty! And so fast knit up! Can’t believe it. Do you ever sleep? Sorry for that bad experience. I thought knitters were friendly...

susannasplace said...

Oh wie wundervoll.
Gefällt mir ausgesprochen gut, diese Kombination der Farben. TOLL!

Irene said...

You blow my mind woman!!! This is stunning!

knittink said...

Großartig! Der Original-Sakura ist ja leider nicht so mein Fall, aber diese Version ist wirklich klasse.
LG
Andrea

kathy b said...

My goodness don't let the puppy near that beauty!

Judy said...

I appreciate your response to your reader. I recently had a question about a pattern by a blogger who is widely read. Even though I asked the question on her blog and on Ravelry, I did not get a response from her. I frogged the project and chose another pattern. So, thanks for answering the question that was asked of you.

Anonymous said...

I love everything about your shawl. It is gorgeous to start with, and the colors in the yarn with a little sparkle make it fun, too. Congratulations on a job well done.

Pat said...

That sure is a sparkly colorful beautiful shawl and I'll echo everyone else...the new edging is GORGEOUS!

Ann said...

The edging looks gorgeous!

sefika said...

hi Monica. I like it tooooo much. I love this. could you please explain how can I make it.

Kathleen said...

Beautiful! Good job turning a negative into a positive.

Queen of the Tea Cosies said...

Where have I been? Look at YOUR beautiful lace making. So clever. So well executed. So stylish. I'm not the jealous sort.... well I am a little bit jealous.

Anonymous said...

That is truly beautiful. And people tend to be so rude because they hide their bad behavior behind the email/internet - it's really sad.