December 28, 2005
Christmas 2005: Last Things First, Part I
Finally, I can share my Christmas knitting with the world!
We had Christmas in two waves this year: first with my parents on Christmas Day, and then with Jason's family yesterday (the 27th) in New York. First let me tell you about the knitted things I gave away to the out-in-laws, starting with...
A Shawl for Shirley
Jason's mother, Shirley, made our huppah. In fact, she made a huppah for each of her three kids' weddings. Each one of them involved hours upon hours of consulting with the bride and groom, designing, hand-dying silk, and sewing. And though each one of them is a work of art, I'm partial to ours.
Obviously, by the time it was all said and done I wanted to knit Shirley something really special. I knew the Leaf Lace Shawl was the right pattern as soon as I saw it: leaves everywhere -- just like our huppah. And once the pattern was settled I knew it had to be red, since my fascination with the rich, brilliant red of autumn leaves was an inspiration when Shirley was designing the huppah.
What I don't know is why I settled on Kid Silk Haze (color: Liquer) for my first real attempt at a large lace project. I wanted to finish the shawl it in time for the wedding weekend in early October. Hypnotized by how quickly the first 30 or so rows went, I really thought I could do it. As the wedding drew nearer and the rows got longer, I grew more distractable and made more mistakes. Knitting mistakes are normally no big deal for me (just un-do and re-do!) but with the Kid Silk Haze? It's a beautiful, luxurious yarn that makes delightful, gauzy fabric -- but it's a b*tch to rip.
So I Did the Right Thing. I put the shawl down, and didn't come back to it until after the wedding when I could give it my full attention. And when I did, I became a compulsive life-line user, did away with all but the most necessary stitch markers, and printed out a bunch of copies of the lace chart that I could highlight (when I was working on a row) and cross off (when it was finished). In short, I became an enormous lace-knitting nerd.
And what do you know... it worked. Know what else? I now understand why knitters get so. excited. when they block their lace shawls. After a half hour with the water sprayer and blocking pins I discovered that inside the shapeless, tangle-prone mass I'd been wrestling with for two months, this had been hiding all along:
Shirley was pleasantly surprised to get the shawl, and immediately got the connection between the red leaves. I hope she enjoys it!
Pattern: Leaf Lace Shawl
Yarn: Two (!!) balls Kid Silk Haze (Liquer)
Lessons Learned
- The Lace Leaf Pattern is an excellent pattern, even for first-time shawl makers.
- On the other hand, Kid Silk Haze probably isn't the best yarn for a first-timer. (But wow is the final product worth it if you can manage it.)
- Embrace your inner lace-knitting nerd; if you can't do that, at least use a lifeline for Pete's sake.
Posted by shannon at December 28, 2005 4:05 PM | For related posts: Christmas Knitting 2005, For Shirley
Comments
Beautiful! And the Chuppah is GORGEOUS! What a keepsake. Can you use is as a quilt or a wall hanging? Really wonderful.
Posted by: Cara at December 28, 2005 4:48 PM
Shannon,
The lace leaf shawl is AMAZING and I really appreciate the thoughtfulness and hard work that went into it. I'll cherish it! Thank you again.
Mother-in-law Shirley
Posted by: Shirley at December 28, 2005 8:23 PM
Que linda!
Posted by: Zabet at December 28, 2005 9:33 PM
I am in awe of the huppah.......seriously!!!
Posted by: Bonnie at December 28, 2005 11:27 PM
The huppah is beautiful as I've mentioned before. The shawl is simply amazing and gorgeous! What a great job Shannon.
Posted by: Wanda at December 29, 2005 12:59 AM
Now you all know why I'm so partial to our chuppah -- it's awesome, isn't it? We hope to find a place to display it at home, but I forgot to mention that Shirley made us a pillow with one of the unused panels of leaves. It's a small reminder that will hold us over until we find a place for the whole thing. :)
Posted by: shannon at December 29, 2005 11:45 AM
I love those turtles!
Hopefully you will still be knitting away if/when someone agrees to conceive with one of our sons!
PT
Posted by: Peter at December 29, 2005 10:19 PM
Ooooh, it looks gorgeous! What a beautiful project. It's nice to make something so special after she made you two that wonderful chuppa.
Posted by: alison at January 1, 2006 10:33 AM