I can’t believe I completely forgot to tell you who left the 50,000th comment! It was Vicki and she left it last Friday. I was counting the comments as they came in last week and was thrilled to discover it was a true friend who helped me hit this blogging milestone. I’ve been reading Vicki’s blog for almost as long as she’s been writing it, we met at Rhinebeck a few years ago, we have matching knitter’s rings, and I’ve long admired her photography. I’m thrilled to be putting together a package of special goodies for her since she’s someone I truly care about.
Okay, onward to actual knitting content.
My friend Jo-Ann had a birthday a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to knit something really special for her. I also have this goal of using my handspun this year so I decided to knit her a shawl from my handspun. I think that says a lot about how much Jo-Ann means to me, don’t you?
I used singles that I spun from a Hello Yarn monthly fiber club installment from May 2010 called Floating Down. It’s 75% BFL and 25% tussah silk, and the colors are lovely. It actually reminds me quite a bit of Noro.
The pattern is just a simple triangular shawl, sort of like the Stupidly Easy Triangular Scarf except that I did the center increases as make one right/make one left rather than yarn overs. I like the solid line down the center minus those yarn overs – it’s different and sometimes different is good.
It’s mostly stockinette stitch with the occasional garter rows and yarn over rows to make it interesting. Mostly the yarn does the work and that’s the beauty of the whole thing.
I gave it to Jo-Ann last weekend when we went to see The Hunger Games together. She was wearing a plain black top at the time and she promptly tossed the shawl around her shoulders and sashayed to the car. I can’t help but wonder if she dressed that way purposefully; it was really just too convenient that she was wearing the perfect top for a handspun shawl.
What I’m trying to say is that I don’t think she was surprised. It’s okay, though, because she was thrilled and that’s really all that matters.
What a special gift! I’m fascinated by your neat M1s.
Vicki represents our one degree of separation from meeting in person! Hopefully some day…
that shawl is beautiful – I’m glad it has the perfect home! …and yay for using some of your handspun stash!!
What a beautiful shawl! It looks just lovely — and I bet even more so on Jo-Ann.
The shawl is beautiful! What a lovely gift for a good friend!
So pretty. Glad it went to someone who really appreciates it.
Spinning the yarn and then knitting a shawl from it is truly a gift of love! The shawl is beautiful!!
Absolutely beautiful Carole! And I especially like the center line too. Lucky Jo-Ann!
I could not find the Knitters ring on the link- I am curious about it (them)….
Surprises can be over rated. Fantastic presents? Hardly ever.
Gotta love a friend who appreciates a handknit (and handspun) shawl!
You’re thrilled? **I’M** THRILLED!! ; ) It’s been fun getting to know you and I’m looking forward to our meeting face-to-face again someday.
Carla, the maker of those rings seems to be MIA, or the rings are. A quick search turned up a maker on Etsy… they’re different, but there are more & different items and WOW! Pretty cool. (http://www.etsy.com/shop/ashflowers2)
Beautiful hand spun and shawl.
I too like to use the M1 pairs for the central increases and in some Stephen West shawls for the side increases too – I find they look really neat.
What a gift! And what a terrific friend you are! The yarn is so beautiful and you selected the perfect pattern to really show it off. Great mods as well!
Thrilled, psyched, fired up, blown away … all describe my feelings when you gifted me that beautiful shawl! Thrilled that you made me something for my birthday, psyched because you love me enough to knit for me, fired up to know I was getting a handknit, and blown away because it was also made from handspun! Yep, that about sums it up 🙂 I didn’t purposely wear the black top, but it was a delightful coincidence … although I would have changed to be able to wear the shawl. It’s soft, and squishy, and gorgeous! I’ve worn it several times this week and can’t wait to wear it again. Hmmm, perhaps tonight!!
That is gorgeous. I love simple projects for hand spun yarn. It just shows it off so nicely. Jo-Ann is one lucky girl!
Thanks Vickie!
Beautiful shawl!
Beautiful. I might knit with singles now. You inspire me.
What an awesome gift! I love it and I’m sure it looks just beautiful on Jo-Ann! The photos are stunning.
The colors in the shawl are just breathtaking! What a lucky friend.
What a lovely gift, and the colors are perfectly seasonal – like forsythia, crocus & lilacs :^)
I love the colors — they’re so springy without being all easter egg-ish, if you know what I mean. Gorgeous!
Congrats on that achievement (can’t even imagine)! Vicki rocks so yay for her! Okay, I LOVE the shawl! The colours are stunning. This is a seriously awesome gift – woot for Jo-Anne. You are something else!