Help please...
(And I want to try playing with polls… )
So the end is (getting to be) in sight with the miles and miles and miles of grey ribbing. I know I need to be single-minded. I must not be tempted to start a new project. But I’m allowed to start researching the next one, right?
So what I want to knit is a shawl for “Big Anne” (aka Anne-who-is-not-my-godmother – Quakers don’t have such things, but in many ways she has fulfilled the role anyway). Anne is one my inspirational knitters. I don’t think she has ever actually shown me any techniques, but I have various beautiful hand-knitted items from her (including a fabulous hand-spun, hand-knit, entrelac baby shawl that she gave us when Adam was born – it was almost too good to use). So I want to make something for her.
So, which shawl should I make? I want to make something using lace – I have (so far) found:
Sweep of Easy Wind and Downy Flake from Magknits
Shetland Garden Faroese Shawl (scroll down) by Sivia Harding Update – I can’t spell – it’s Sivia, not Silvia!
Garden Shawl (scroll down) by Dorothy Siemens for Fiddlesticks Knitting
Kiri from All Tangled Up
(you’ll have to follow the link to get the pic)
The Snowdrop Shawl by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
(ditto).
As I said, I want to do something lace. I’m confident that it’s within my abilities – less so that it’s within my concentration span, but if I don’t try I’ll never find out… I already have approx 1200 m of gorgeous purple merino laceweight, so if I choose wisely this can be a stash-busting exercise. Anne has also been a keen gardener – hence the couple of shawls here with a garden theme. I think I know which one I want to go for (so I reserve the right to ignore the poll, but I’m not going to say just yet), but I would appreciate the advice of anyone with experience of these.
So let’s see if this works:
ten comments:
I voted Shetland Garden, because of the nice shoulder shaping and garden theme. :)Chris () (link) - 27 January '07 - 21:07
I wanted to vote for two, but could only vote for one. My other choice was the Garden Shawl, which I also think is beautiful. And you think you aren’t so talented? I beg to differ, if you can even contemplate these, you are truly talented. I’ll stick to my k1p1, if you please! Which ever you choose, I think your ‘godmother’ will be delighted. xLouise () (link) - 27 January '07 - 21:19
The Shetland Garden Faroese Shawl has the most variety in pattern and would keep my attention longer. And the Evelyn Clark shawls that I have knit have turned out beautiful, just in case you need more options to think about! ;-DCathy in MN
Cathy in MN () (link) - 27 January '07 - 21:38
Not that I’ve knit any of those, but I’m partial to the Sweep of Easy Wind and Downy Flake.Carrie K () (link) - 27 January '07 - 23:46
I am divided—Kiri is good for a first shawl, but I would love to knit the Shetland Garden Faroese.nicole () (link) - 28 January '07 - 07:56
I’d go for the Shetland Garden pattern.More interest and as long as you can count it should all be fine!
wye sue () (link) - 28 January '07 - 11:21
It’s not really a fair comparison since some of these are much harder than others – it depends what you feel you’re up for. I have a half-finished and no doubt beautiful Shetland lace shawl that moved to the UFO pile sometime in July and has been sitting there forlornly ever since, waiting for some time when I can properly concentrate on it again. So: I voted for the Fiddlesticks shawl, but you would probably finish Downy Flake or Kiri faster!Anne () - 28 January '07 - 15:41
There’s a KAL for the Faroese shawl starting at Sivia’s site on Valentine’s Day:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SiviaHardi..
Liz () (link) - 28 January '07 - 18:29
I have never knitted a shawl or indeed any lace at all – but if I had the guts it would definately have to be that fabulous Fiddlesticks Garden Shawl – it is so beautiful – please do that one – I want to see it grow.Becky () (link) - 29 January '07 - 17:29
You didn’t say if you’ve done lace before or not, but from your questions, it appears you have very limited exposure to it. If so, then I would suggest doing the Kiri—it is fairly simple and has only one basic pattern repeat. It starts at the neck and continues until you run out of yarn, or patience. There is no edging to do on it either, which can be a killer on most shawls. There are many other patterns that start at the neck and work down to the edge—the Feather & Fan comes to mind: You can use any odds and ends as well, or any colour combination that YOU like. It’s also a very basic mindless lace pattern that looks really great!Whatever you decide, it will be wonderful! There is nothing really complicated about lace-knitting; just requires a great deal of patience and incredible stamina to keep on going until it is done.
Tallguy () - 30 January '07 - 02:38
