Flowers in a Basket
Pattern: Flower Basket Shawl by Evelyn Clark, Interweave Knits Fall 2004
Yarn: Misti Alpaca in #605 Natural Tan, also available here
Needles: US9
Finished Size: 66" wide x 35" long
I ended up with 9 repeats of the pattern. The larger size may have been due to the fact that I used larger needles; I was actually surprised that it came out as big as it did. My grandmother and I are the same size (she's a bit shorter) so this is sure to fit her. And she *loves* earth tones. It's an easy pattern to knit; I didn't have problems working with the yarn doubled or its fineness, or the charts. I highly recommend this to any beginners because it's a good introduction to lace knitting. Best of all, I *get* charts now. I forced myself to work from the chart instead of writing everything out. It just clicked. Hah! More pictures of the shawl here.
So these are my projects for the rest of the year, in no particular order:
- Polly's Kiri for BF's mom
- Another Kiri for me, in that gorgeous merino/tencel from Silver Creek Farms I bought from Stitches West earlier this year
- The shawl from the Mystery Shawl Knit-Along. There's already a Part 2, but I'll try the first one first
- Another sock pattern... maybe. I'm stuck on 2 sizes for Mirabella
- A hat pattern... maybe
- A scarf pattern... maybe
- Cabled turtleneck sweater from an old Rebecca
- Baby items! This is phase 3 of the pregnant friends...
Ooh. Google. Bad Google. Bad, bad, Google!
Reading: Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. I haven't mentioned any books in a while but I've been reading in the background. I've already passed 52 books, but I'll continue with my list until year's end.
MJ ~ Your version is stunning. I've been looking forward to this one for awhile and you've pushed me over the edge. Gorgeous!
Love all your pictures! This is such a great lace shawl. I never tire of seeing it or wearing it. Enjoy!
Your shawl is truly beautiful and I do love the colour too. I have had this pattern for ages but haven't braced myself to start it yet. Yours might just be the inspiration I need to have a go.
Hey MJ - WOW. I love the way this shawl looks in tan, I think it's my favorite FBS yet. And your spinning is looking fantastic. I spun up the Rainforest as a bulky 2-ply, but now I'm wishing I had gone for something much finer. Great pics as usual.
Take care!
The shawl looks great! I may have to block mine again and make it bigger.
The shawl looks great. How do you find time to read so much and knit? I haven't found the proper setup that will allow me read at the same time.
I think I've been under a rock - I just discovered your blog and I LOVE IT. Great photos, beautiful knitting, and of course, lovely person behind it all. You are so going in my bloglines list!
That shawl looks great on you. Maybe you should make another one for yourself! ;)
That's a lovely shawl! I've watched your progress, but didn't know what pattern it was. Thanks for the info, I'm going to have to get my hands on that issue!
Love your shawl. Really like the open lacy effect achieved by using larger size needles. Thanks for the assurance that it is easy, I've been thinking of knitting this!
BEAUTIFUL! Love the pictures too! It's not the camera, my dear, but the eye behind the camera! Don't forget that!
Such a great color on your FBS. It's such a fun knit, isn't it?
Beautiful MJ, truly beautiful. It's good to know that it's an easy pattern. I may just try it sometime soon. I'm getting tempted. I love the color and your grandmother will be so pleased!
oh i love it! very pretty color... man your finishing the projects so quickly!
MJ, it looks beautiful! and you wear it so well! It looks great in all of the photos. Great accomplishment ;)
It is beautiful in tan! Wow!
Oh, wow, this is so beautiful it definitely tips me over into Object Lust. Soft the yarn may be, but it has a wonderful visual crispness (partly, I'm sure, due to a fantastic blocking!) that, for me, anyway, really adds to the appeal. Froofy, fluffy lace? No thanks. 'Raw', earth-toned lace, bring it on. Gorgeous. This goes on the Must Knit list now. ;)
a beautiful shawl, I'll say. great work!
What a lovely FBS! I had more or less decided against knitting another one this year but seeing yours in the doubled yarn on big needles has changed my mind I have some lovely schwooshy Rowan cashsoft 4 oly that is just begging to be a FBS :-)
So great to see your FBS - each one is unique! It's nice to see the larger size, and the color is very pretty.
Your shawl is beautiful. I love the color too. That pattern is on my list of things to make, if I ever get around to it!
Ok, that is my favorite FBS of all! Thanks for posting the details. I plan to completely copy it! I knit one using sportweight alpaca in a heathery brass color, and while I did like it (gave it away) I like the openness of the finer yarn on the larger needles much better. I'm still not convinced that knitting lace with 2 strands isn't a pain, though. I may have to go with the fingering yarn (which, hopefully will still be the same effect).
Your shawl turned out beautifully -- the size and color are wonderful. What a lucky grandmother you have, I'm sure she'll love it! I was just helping a fellow knitter yesterday with this pattern. She had never used a chart before and after a bit of explaining got the hang of it -- I agree with you, this is a good lace pattern to learn chart reading.
FBS looks awesome!
it's so gorgeous!
That is gorgeous on you! I love the color you chose because it goes with anything and is very unique :) I LOVE Misti Alpaca too.. that is one of my desert island yarns.. Everyday I work in the yarn store I just sit there and pet it!
Your FBS is lovely. I'd sworn off shawls as not being very functional, but now you and Shelly at Purlside of the Moon have proven me wrong. Both of you made these great FBSs which would look perfect over a sundress or tank top. It's not like I need any more projects, but with so many great ones being finished lately, this one is trying really hard to make the WIP list.