This is a crescent shaped shawl with a leaf lace pattern for the body and a garter stitch border. Here is the link to my project page. It was tough to get a nice full shot of the shawl that showed how it drapes. Vanity did not allow me to put this onto Ravelry but this should give a good idea.
What struck me first about this shawl was that the leaf lace pattern was the body. I had gotten used to shawls with a garter stitch or stockinette stitch body with some lace patterning for the edge border. I had a skein of Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock in Pistachio in my stash from a frogged project so I brought it to my LYS to see if I could match it. Knowing the project would take more than one skein, I made a deliberate choice to start the second skein when I began the garter stitch edging. I think the subtle difference in the colouring works well.
I wet blocked the shawl and pinned out the top edge as well as the edge between the lace pattern and the garter stitch border. I knew I wanted to open up the lace pattern, but I didn’t necessarily want to stretch out my garter stitch edge very aggressively.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable knit. If you are an adventurous beginner, I think it would be a great lace project. It will also hold the interest of more experienced knitters. I loved working with the Tough Love Sock. The yarn felt great in my hands, and I had no problems with splitting or colour running when I soaked it. I did use more yardage than called for in the pattern. I had gone up a needle size to get closer to the gauge and I knew I would not have any issues with running out as I did have two full skeins.
The testing process was a great learning experience for me and I hope to do more as I further my own knitting education. I enjoyed the feeling of collaboration with the designer and the other testers as we tried to work out a couple of instructions.
Thank you to Frenchie for allowing me to test her shawl, and to the talented Flora (Amusing Yarns) for taking these beautiful photos.
One area in which I struggle is styling. Flora helped me try this borrowed shawl pin, and I do like how it looks, but wonder how practical this would be for me with how I move about in my daily life.
What about you? How do you like to style crescent shaped shawls?
Beautiful knit! I love the color you chose. It really shows off the gorgeous pattern detail!
Thank you so much Andi! I’m lucky to have people around me who advise me about color. This is not one I would have chosen for myself, and yet people are very drawn to it. I do like how it goes with the spring theme. My apologies if it has taken awhile to respond. The blog thing is new to me so I didn’t see that I had comments to approve.
What a gorgeous color for a beautiful shawl! I love how you added the slightly different colorway at the garter edging.
I’ve knit a few crescent shawls and find myself flipping the ends back over my shoulders, but they do tend to come down from time to time. Or I sometimes even tie the ends and set the tied part on my shoulder. No perfect solution so far.
Thank you so much Amy! The difference in color was an unintentional happy accident. Both skeins are the Pistachio colorway, but I had purchased one last fall for some socks that I decided I didn’t like. The designer hoped someone would choose green and I remembered I had that gorgeous skein in my stash but wasn’t sure it would be a good color for me. I have a color advisor at my LYS so he approved it and we matched a second skein as best we could. Since I knew it would take more than one skein I deliberately changed at the border and I think it turned out well. Thanks for the advice on styling. It would never have occurred to me to tie the ends. I’ll try it.
Hi Ramona
I love your shawl! And I’m so happy you’ve launched your blog! I look forward to following your ideas and learning from you!
Thanks so much Cat! This is all a learning experience for me, but you know how I love to enable and connect people.