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!