One of my knitting goals this year is to knit at least 3 projects with my handspun. I’m about to show you project numero uno (practicing for Mexico donchaknow) – – – a Cedar Leaf Shawlette.
The yarn was spun from a lovely blend of polworth and silk that I bought from Josette of Enchanted Knoll at SPA 2011. I loved the colors and all but the thing I loved the most was the name of the colorway: Let the Mystery Be. That just so happens to be my favorite Iris Dement song ever and it’s fantastic that Josette named one of her awesome color combinations after it.
It took me just about a year to get those two braids spun into a DK weight yarn, mostly because I just don’t spin all that much. Once it was done, though, I was determined to knit something special with it and not just toss it into the basket of handspun with most of my other skeins. My search quickly led me to the Cedar Leaf Shawlette.
What a fun pattern that is to knit! The cast on is a bitch but stockinette short rows go quickly and then, just when you’re about to go crazy with all of that back and forth, you are done and ready to knit the leaf edging.
And that edging is the real star of the pattern. You knit along the edge of the shawl, using up all those live stitches as you go. And you wind up with a very long and very beautiful scarf. I started on February 12th and finished on February 24th and that right there should tell you how much I enjoyed knitting this design.
After it was finished and blocked the scarf just kind of sat in my bedroom, waiting for a photo shoot. I looked at it and admired it a lot but I just didn’t get the photos taken, which isn’t like me at all. And then I had an epiphany that completely explained why I was procrastinating on photographing, blogging and ultimately wearing this scarf. I realized that this scarf wasn’t meant for me, it was meant for my wonderful friend Margene. Margene, who loves Iris Dement like I do. Margene, who has the best attitude about letting the mystery be. Margene, who had just celebrated a birthday that I had barely acknowledged. Margene. Of course.
Once I realized that this scarf actually belonged with Margene, I immediately took these photos, using one of my quilts that Margene loves so much as a backdrop, and mailed it off to her.
Word on the street is she loves it.
Oh, Carole! How absolutely perfect! In every possible way! (And . . . lucky Margene!)
I am lucky! Last night I ran out on the patio and took a picture as I knew you would post the beautiful shawlette today. It’s perfect and lovely and I feel so blessed. Your hand spun is soft and lovely! Thank you, dear friend! I love it!!
stunning. muy bonita. haha
Gorgeous piece, worn with panache! What more could some fiber hope for in life?
Of course it’s gorgeous, and it looks stunning on Margene
Ellas son muy, muy bonitas!
It came out beautiful. It looks amazing on Margene. You are a wonderful friend!
Just beautiful Carole! And Margene, you wear it well!
Looks fabulous on Margene! I do love that edging. And your handspun! And Josette’s fiber! This combined 3 of my favorite blogger-people – how cool!
It’s gorgeous and perfect for Margene. I’m knitting socks with my handspun right now – first project ever! And I have plans for a few of the chunkier skeins. And then there’s all that BFL … Handspun is pretty great.
Your handspun was definitely worth the wait–it’s so beautifully even and gorgeous in the shawl. Nice going!
It’s so beautiful and so, so perfect for Margene, she looks lovely in it!
I just finished a handspun sweater too.
Beautiful yarn, gorgeous shawlette, and a nice story all around.
It’s lovely, and so very soft.
Wonderful! And it is definitely right for Margene.
I think I have this in my queue…
What a lovely shawl. And it looks wonderful on Margene. What a generous gift!
Love everything about this ! That yarn/shawl is just gorgeous, both on and off Margene.
What a beautiful shawl – and Let the Mystery Be is one of my favorite Iris songs too.
Not only is the shawl beautiful….I’m a big Iris Dement fan, too. Nice to see her mentioned on a favorite blog
It looks great with her coloring
What a beautiful shawl, and doesn’t Margene look even more lovely than usual in it!
Carole, You did a beautiful job on that shawl, and Margene is really styling it! Lovely! And very generous of you.
Lovely!! It’s a wonderful gift, and looks so beautiful on Margene.
This post speaks to many of the things that bring me to your blog. 1) You knit beautifully 2) You are creative and inspiring and 3) You are kind, caring, loving, and generous – or is that 3, 4, 5, and 6?!
What a beautiful shawlette…beautiful yarn and beautiful finished object. And it looks perfect on Margene!
It is beautiful, and you did a lovely job on the spinning. What a wonderful story.