Monday, May 30, 2011

Transaltantic

Originally I wanted to show my May socks, but I also wanted to share this project on Ravelry groups right away, and uploaded photos, so this shawl comes first. Doesn't matter to you, I know.
This project was a pleasure, from spinning the fiber to knitting this shawl.

Remember this fiber: FatCatKnits, Falkland, colorway Counter Point.
FCK-4oz Falkland-Counter Point

which turned into this yarn:
FCK-Falkland-Counter Point- 2-ply-357yds-3.7oz-7

I wanted to use it for a shawl, but with only 357yds, there were not many options. As it turns out, many of my hand spun yarns are in the Sport weight category. I decided to add Cascade Yarns 220 super wash Sport to get more yardage, and the possibilities of a number of shawls grew.
Can I just say, I love the softness of this Sport weight yarn. I love to work with it, and I see a lot more of hand spun/Cascade projects in the future.

I finally decided on Stephen West's Transatlantic shawl. I liked it right away, but omitted the holes, even though I thought they were a clever touch. Maybe next time!

Well, this is what I got for my efforts:
Transatlantic shawl

A totally wearable, wonderful, warm, wooly shawl!

Transatlantic shawl

Transatlantic shawl

Transatlantic shawl

Transatlantic shawl

What a satisfying project! It's larger than the original, because I wanted to use up all of my hand spun yarn, and there were only a couple of yards left over. I needed 4 skeins of Cascade yarn (had to order more, I only had two in my stash). I used 3.75mm needles. I didn't stretch it after washing it. I only used two pins for the tip, and the top of the tip. :o)
The rest was just smoothed out on the bed, and had a heart shape. It's finial measurements are 27 inches x 88 inches.

Of course none of my projects are error free. I made a couple of mistakes, but you show me, if you can find them!
The response to this shawl on Ravelry was wonderful, and made me proud. It was just another shawl for me, even though I DO LOVE it!

***

And a short note on the doggie front:
Maggie either has "growing pains" or trouble with her elbows. She'll be x-rayed on Thursday. Until then she needs to take it easy, and gets pain meds, poor thing. I remember Biko, and Sam having those problems too. The three "G's" are no longer, Grumpy, Goofy, and Googly, but Grumpy, Goofy, and Gimpy.

***
at

32 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 30, 2011 12:22 a.m.

    That shawl is simply breathtaking. Wow. Enjoy wearing it!

    I'm so sorry about Maggie. Hopefully it's just growing pains.

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  2. 2pawMay 30, 2011 12:34 a.m.

    Poor Maggie, I hope it is just growing pains, I so do.
    I love your shawl and I like it better without the holes!!!

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  3. SharonMay 30, 2011 1:32 a.m.

    I really love your new shawl! The colors really pop, and as usual, your color choices are spot on.

    Poor Maggie, I hope it's just growing pains.

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  4. hakuchoMay 30, 2011 2:13 a.m.

    Love the detail of the chain stitch over the garter stitch. Very different and pretty :)

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  5. Юлия ФаранчукMay 30, 2011 3:53 a.m.

    Thank you for having shown this transformation. I enjoyed. Shawl wonderful!

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  6. BodilEMay 30, 2011 4:55 a.m.

    This was truly beautiful! I remember the yarn, and was looking forwards to see what you made with it. I think this solution was genious! Brilliant idea to make the yarn last longer by using it together with a neutral colour like this, especially since it came out so beautifully. I have added it to my favourites on ravelry :)
    Hope your dog will be fine from the growing pains. I also have three dogs, and I enjoy reading about yours and all the funny things they do :)

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  7. cauchy09May 30, 2011 6:26 a.m.

    wow, beautiful!!!

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  8. angelaMay 30, 2011 8:03 a.m.

    Just beautiful!! I admire his work, but the yarn you spun really made the pattern more interesting.

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  9. AnonymousMay 30, 2011 8:22 a.m.

    Wauw... it's absolutely beautiful and deserves every compliment in the world!

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  10. CambriaMay 30, 2011 8:37 a.m.

    I'm blown away! You've reinspired me to take out my little drop spindle and keep plugging away at my pretty fiber stash...now that I'm seeing some viable project options for the finished yarn :)

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  11. TracyKMMay 30, 2011 8:54 a.m.

    That is stunning! What a fabulous use of two different yarns and colours. So many non-lace shawls look too bulky and "afghan-ish" to me, but that one looks delicate but not lacey or bulky. Excellent!!

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  12. AdrieneJMay 30, 2011 9:49 a.m.

    First word out of my mouth was, "Whooooa." What a fantastic mind you have for coming up with such amazing modifications! Congrats!

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  13. mellenMay 30, 2011 10:26 a.m.

    The shawl is beautiful. I looked at it in the book but until I saw your version I did not consider knitting it. I love your color sense! I hope Maggies is just having growing pains.

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  14. AnonymousMay 30, 2011 10:48 a.m.

    Wunderschön in traumhaften Farben !!

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  15. PreitaMay 30, 2011 10:50 a.m.

    This is so pretty! You did an amazing job and knit it so fast!

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  16. JudyMay 30, 2011 10:54 a.m.

    I love the way it turned out. I see no mistakes! By the way, as I've gotten older, I often kid that I've lowered my standards (on everything in life), and I'm much happier as a result....

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  17. WaldenMay 30, 2011 11:02 a.m.

    The shawl is beyond lovely! I'm going to need one of these.

    I'm hope Maggie is just having some temporary growing pains and it is nothing serious.

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  18. MichelleMay 30, 2011 11:12 a.m.

    Love the colors on the shawl. Looks like it'll be cozy to wrap up in. Hope Maggie is alright and it's just growing pains. Poor little girl!

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  19. Virginia GMay 30, 2011 11:35 a.m.

    That shawl is AMAZING! Love it!!!!!

    I hope Maggie is feeling better soon.

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  20. AndiMay 30, 2011 11:59 a.m.

    That shawl is incredible! The hunspun is yum!

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  21. wanderrastMay 30, 2011 1:49 p.m.

    Großartig,
    dein TUch hat so eine tolle Wirkung,
    ich hoffe du kannst es oft tragen!
    liebe Grüße Elfi

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  22. CelticCastOnMay 30, 2011 1:58 p.m.

    Aww poor Maggie, you're always so hard on her... gimpy in deed :)
    Your shawl is aaaawwwesome! I'm always so stumped as to what to do with handspun, probably why i don't buy it. You definitely have no issues there :)

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  23. LaurieMMay 30, 2011 2:33 p.m.

    It came together beautifully! Wonderful idea and color choices.

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  24. RhondaMay 30, 2011 10:10 p.m.

    All I can say is WOW!!!! It looks scrumptious.
    Poor Maggie, extra love and attention will help.

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  25. WanderingcatstudioMay 30, 2011 10:23 p.m.

    Monika - that is not really my kind of shawl - but I want it to be - absolutely beautiful!!! Im in awe! I think it's your eye for colour.

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  26. knottygnomeMay 31, 2011 12:50 p.m.

    your shawl is so beautiful! i love the orange stripeys on the edges.

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  27. TobyMay 31, 2011 6:05 p.m.

    What a fantastic shawl!

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  28. Carrie#KMay 31, 2011 7:20 p.m.

    Aw, poor Gimpy! I hope it's just growing pains.

    That shawl is magnificent. Stephen West has a way with shawls. I'm off to see what your mods did to it!

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  29. KnatoleeMay 31, 2011 9:09 p.m.

    What a stunning shawl. A work of art!

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  30. LynnJune 06, 2011 7:21 a.m.

    this is absolutely STUNNING Monika! I love it!

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  31. ChancyJune 07, 2011 4:04 p.m.

    Good lord, that is a beautiful shawl!

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  32. illusionsJune 11, 2011 8:06 a.m.

    Tremendous knitting...it's totally exquisite. Love it completely.

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