Keepsake Shawl (aka flower basket)
ok. So I have FINALLY gotten around to taking, editing and posting photos of my keepsake shawl (aka the flower basket shawl from Fall IK 2004). I finished it all over a week ago, but I am never home at the right time (for good lighting) to take photos. Yesterday I was doing some window shopping and the weather was REALLY cold and pretty miserable. All of a sudden the clouds disappeared and there was sun. I ran home determined to take the photos. While getting dressed, the sun disappeared. Since I haven't take FO photos in ages, I decided to dress up. I have enjoyed dressing up ever since I was a little girl (my mum can vouch for that). Every now and again I will go through everything in my wardrobe and try it on. So for the shawl photo shoot (involving me and me), I donned a dress I bought off ebay a while ago. It looked really cute in the ebay photos, but when it arrived it was a little disappointing. The fabric was like some nylon\viscose or something and the thick black straps and front tie just looked terrible. I never wore it. Yesterday I discovered that the dress is a lot cuter, when you hide the straps, make it into a strapless dress, add a big crinoline, and don some red high heels, and of course a 100% silk handknit shawl. Anyway here's the photos (BTW most of them have been retouched and not very well probably - it's fun playing in photoshop):
Some people have blocking tables, I use cardboard from the garbage!!!
The blocking process turned this shawl from a bundled mess of silk to a shawl to be proud of. It is made of Fleece Artist Silken sent very kindly as a part of a swap with Stephanie!! I blocked the shawl using a lot of pins and some raspberry scented linen water (yum!!).
Yarn: one skein of Fleece Artist Silken (200g) undyed and natural. Pattern: Flower Basket Shawl pattern from Fall 2004 IK. Needles: can't remember the size. Stared off with bamboo circulars, but I found the yarn would snag, moved to bamboo straights then ended with too many stitches to handle on those needles, and finally ended up using metal 80cm circulars - perfect.
I did quite a few more repeats than the pattern calls for and had a bit of a scare when I realized that I might run out of yarn before I finished the edging, but it worked out perfectly in the end. I meant to finish this shawl for my wedding, but I proabably wouldn't have worn it anyway, and this silk shawl doesn't deserve to be dragged around Thailand all scrunched up in a backpack. I think everything worked out for the best!!!
A close up of the stitch pattern
The Flower Basket shawl pattern is like magic. The pretty edging just appears at the end and it is beautiful!!
Here I am in my get-up - not the best picture of the shawl, but it sure was fun getting dressed up (he,he)
The shawl when tied in front!
Close-up of the side.
So that's all the shawl pics I have for you. I would like to apologize to my very understanding husband for being a bit of a bitch and harassing him with lots of questions on how to use Photoshop (I'm not very good and he is). Sorry...
Finally, Sunday was a good day because I received my yarn (merino worsted) from Uruguay. It just feels so special to receive a package from South America. It is super soft, and I can't wait to knit it up. Not sure what I will make, but I just bought, 'The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns' by Ann Budd, so I might try and make a sweater up as I go along. It also really does smell like vinegar.
Who says you need to knit yarn??!!
Wow. Wow. Stunning!
I have a blue skein of the Malabrigo branded merino I bought from WEBS at Stitches West which used to smell a teeeeeeensy bit like vinegar (from the same ppl as handpainted). Perhaps WEBS had aired it? I leave mine as decor on my desk :) It has no smell now.
Perhaps you can use some of the wonderful Japanese air fresheners in a plastic bag with the yarn to remove the smell. Isn't it pretty?!
Posted by: freecia | March 14, 2005 at 12:01 PM
Aren't you cute! Your shawl looks great.
Posted by: Jenn | March 14, 2005 at 12:11 PM
The shawl looks beautiful, and I love that dress! Very cute.
Posted by: Amy | March 14, 2005 at 12:19 PM
Beautiful shawl! I like the yarn-as-scarf statement at the end, too. Isn't Photoshop fun when you finally figure out how it works?
Posted by: molly! | March 14, 2005 at 12:19 PM
Fantastic shawl and gorgeous dress! Kawaii!
Posted by: Merinda | March 14, 2005 at 12:43 PM
First your wedding pictures and now this series--you have made me fall in love with the strapless tea length dress. You look fantastic. The shawl is so lovely. Great work.
Posted by: joselle | March 14, 2005 at 01:59 PM
oh my GOD kat tht shawl is so so so stunnning! How do you DO this stuff??? It looks so complicated! You inspired me to start knitting back last year... and I have graduated from scarves to a top (as yet unfinished)... but that shawl might be a few years off for me!
It looks just beautiful :) And I agree with Joselle about that cute dress... that gorgeous strapless shape with the full skirt really suits you! I made my fella look at your wedding photos the other day... I was like 'doesn't she look so cute in that dress?... such an original look for a wedding dress' etc... but he seemed kind of confused and mumbled in agreement... I think maybe I terrified him :) ha ha xx
Posted by: Lucy | March 14, 2005 at 02:29 PM
The shawl is so beautiful!!! And you make the dress look so cute, love the shoes. see ya at Zest!
Posted by: rae | March 14, 2005 at 08:50 PM
Kat!
The shawl is beautiful! I wish everyone knew how wonderful that yarn feels. I'm thinking that I might need a flower basket shawl now! Hmmmmm...
Posted by: Stephanie VW | March 14, 2005 at 10:18 PM
Your shawl is just gorgeous, Kat! You did a beautiful job, and you're adorable getting all dressed up for the photos -- love the dress.
Posted by: alison | March 15, 2005 at 02:08 AM
Kat - LOVE the shawl...gorgeous & what a great dress and hot red shoes...you look darling!
Posted by: Erin | March 15, 2005 at 02:38 AM
Beautiful pics of you, the shawl, the dress, and sexy red shoes. :) I also like the un-knitted neck warmer, lol! Can't wait to see what's next.
Posted by: Liz | March 15, 2005 at 03:17 AM
WOW! Kat, it is absolutely GORGEOUS! I love the cardboard idea- genius! I need to re-block my blue blob (cherry blossom shawl) and that will work so well! I can draw the darn circle on the cardboard. You just saved me hours of work, I think. :)
I am trying to figure out my wedding shawl idea and I love that pattern...mmm.
Love the dress up... I bet that cute husband of yours enjoyed the show! :)
Posted by: frecklegirl | March 15, 2005 at 03:35 AM
BEAUTIFUL shawl kat! you did an awesome job!
Posted by: chris | March 15, 2005 at 09:29 AM
That is beautiful! When you make something that pretty and such a "keepsake" item, do you ever wonder where it might end up?
Will your Daughter wear it? Favorite Neice?
Will someone wear it to their wedding and say "Great-Great Grandma Kat made it!"?
How cool is that?
Posted by: Petra | March 15, 2005 at 12:02 PM
HOW CUTE! Your shawl looks GREAT! I have yarn designated for that in my stash but I'm not supposed to start anythhing new until I finish my current project. Postng your FO tempts me to wind my yarn up and start!
Posted by: Angela | March 15, 2005 at 03:40 PM
Your shawl photos made me smile! I almost thought about making one of my own for a second there, but then I remembered that I am the WORLD'S SLOWEST KNITTER. But you do make it look fun.
Posted by: erin | March 15, 2005 at 09:00 PM
Beautiful shawl - made me cry a bit, like when you hear a beautiful singer or see a beautiful painting. Or when you're just a bit mental and weird and cry at stuff...it's time for my injection...
what the jiggins is blocking and why do you need to do it?
Posted by: Sarah | March 16, 2005 at 11:32 PM
Oh, its beautiful! And I love the dress and shoes you have to go with it!!
Posted by: shiz | March 17, 2005 at 08:50 AM
Peace...I absolutely LOVE the shawl. It looks great. You are wearing that dress! It looks wonderful too!
Posted by: queen t | March 17, 2005 at 10:07 AM
You look fabulous and that shawl is amazing. Great job!
Posted by: Carrie | March 19, 2005 at 03:19 AM
Hi there, really love your shawl, very pretty! and the dress, so gorgeous. I just cast on my FSB, hope it will turn out as great as yours. cheers!
Posted by: vanessa | March 21, 2005 at 09:26 PM
Nice shawl!! cute tootsies too.
Posted by: lisanne | August 16, 2006 at 08:53 PM