I haven't been up this late, in...well, a long time and it's too late to think.
But I am...I'm out of town on business (more about that when I'm back) and have a bed, TV, computer, knitting and Malibu Rum and pineapple juice to myself! So, of course, I'm being a glutton and staying up too late.
But at least I'm using this time to research. And I need your help with this.
Here's the thing: I have a friend (Sam) who's planning a wedding for '06, but b/c of the new laws that keep insurance benefits from domestic partners (and some other reasons) her and her fiance are actually getting married next month. And although they're not making a big deal out of it, I'd still like to do something special.
Which , of course, requires an ultra-cool, soon-to-be-cherished knitting project. Now I'm thinking: shawl. She's wearing a blue-ish skirt and top to get married in and the weather will be getting cooler and a shawl is 'special' enough to be something, well, special. Not just like a furry cap (which is what her fiance suggested). Even if she weren't to wear it the day she is wed (and how would I know, anyhow? I'll be out of town), she could keep it at the office to warm up with when it gets chilly (she's not really the shawl wearing type, in that, you know, she's under 40 and a more of a hipster). Anyhow, this is what I'm thinking...any suggestions?
Now, like I said, I've been doing a lot of researching and I've come up with some stuff, but nothing that I'm thrilled with (an aside: this is why I get so frustrated with gift-knitting...I'm never sure I'm choosing the perfect pattern or colors or if it'll 'go' with anything else they own, or if it'll end up at the bottom of the closet. I like to know these things.). I'm not sure what color to make it; at first I thought white or cream...but maybe she'd get more use out of another neutral (gray? or is that too sad a color for this event?)
Here's the possibilities so far (and I expect comments and suggestions):
Yarn:
Knitpicks.com: an option because it's the most affordable with really great yarn; unfortunately, I'm not thrilled with the color options, either too bright or too...sad and misty.
Douceur et Soie: I found it cheaper at yarnmarket.com than in the stores, but not everyone likes mohair. But I really really want to knit with it!
This alpaca/silk blend is a SUPER affordable option, depending on what pattern I go with.
Should I get 'Dye your own' from Knit Picks? Can I dye a neutral colorway using Wilson cake dyes?
Patterns:
Clapotis: a blog fave, but is it fancy enough? I'd need to get some variegated yarn, for sure.
Bloom: I love it! the yarn is a bit pricey for us, and it might be too bright.
These aren't bad, just kind of, eh, boring...
I could always buy A Gathering of Lace, by Meg Swansen, I know it has stuff I like.
I have Weekend Knitting from the library, doesn't that have a round shawl in it? I'll have to check when I get home.
I could make a simple stockinette stitch shawl using a variegated, interesting yarn if I could find one or I could make up a pattern using one of these stitches (I particularly like the Gothic lace and the hearts, in moderation) or this rose leaf stitch, or the cobweb stitch from SnBNation.
So do you see my late night confusion? There are too many options (well, not enough affordable ones!)
Help!
3am
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I think a shawl will be great but you can always go with clapotis. Have you seen the book folk shawls? The name turned me off from it but if you go to seeeunnyknit.blogspot.com youll see what she just finished and its gorgeous! knitpicks makes a yarn called alpaca cloud which I think would be nice. jaggerspun zephyr is also a nice, not too expensice lace yarn
should we do blogspot kal? that would be fun I think!
the cardie is from knit and tonic.
Came from Wendy's blog, just thought I'd put in my 2 cents. You could certainly go with Knitpicks; they seem to have the market cornered on cheap but lovely yarns. There's also Kidsilk Night (a version of KSH) that has a bit of metallic thread shot through it. Very elegant. A couple balls of those could make a really nice stole. And it would be better if you practiced with a thicker yarn before moving on to laceweight; it'll drive you nuts. Good luck on your knitting!
- MJ
I just made a shawl for my wedding - Evening in Eden by Cabin Fever. Mine was in white Endless Summer Collection Lara (which is a cotton), but you could do it in another colour. The yarn, while a bit splitty, works really well for this pattern. You can get it from Elann. Just an idea!
A little warning about the yummy silk/alpaca-type of blends--they're super soft and drapey, which sometimes doesn't work in a shawl because it stretches and doesn't hold the lace stitches as well as wool or mohair. My mother learned the hard way when she made her shawl for my wedding.
Post a Comment