April 03, 2010

Red Hot

When I signed up to participate in 10 Shawls for 2010 on Ravelry I thought it would be a cinch.  My first shawl was Multnomah which is quick and easy, so easy I made it twice (but only once for the contest).   I had a skein of my own handspun, Dried Flowers,  which I was so happy to see go out of my stash I nearly did a happy dance - which, let me tell you, is not pretty.

My second shawl was Percy where one too many yarn overs had me pulling my hair out.  But it turned out perfectly (after I unknit about 20 rows).  It turned out so pretty I was tempted to make it twice, but I'm all about forward motion so Percy II will just have to wait.

And so we get to my third shawl - a mystery shawl.  I purchased some yarn from Sarah's Yarns called Ruby Red, it's 60% kid mohair and 40% silk.  Mohair is usually kind of rough, but the silk toned it down a lot:


It's kind of a berry color, and really, really hairy which means no ripping back.  Fortunately for me, I chose a pattern that is relatively simple:



I cast on tonight and, merciful heaven, there's only 2 charts to follow. Yay!  The pattern says to repeat chart #1 as many times as I want, which in my case means I can knit the chart until I start looking for the gasoline, or until I think the shawl is big enough.  That's great news for me.

My only concern is that the shawl is red and hairy and I won't know if I really like it until I'm well into it.  It's going to need a home because I can't think of anyone who wants to wear a red, hairy (but soft) shawl.  Where does one wear a red shawl anyway?  Do I make it and give it away with a Christmas tree shawl pin?  I can't think about it right now, but I'll find someone whose favorite color is red and who will wear a shawl.

Since I must have some angst in my life, I'm giving myself two weeks to make this shawl because I want to make something besides a shawl this month.  I need more hand knit socks, and I have a baby item on the needles that I need to get done before the baby outgrows it.  You hear that Anonymous T?

Since my plate is full again, I'd better get started.






2 comments:

  1. That red looks lovely. Has it really a shine, or is it the flash? I've got some similar yarn in my stash, it was a gift, but it's without silk, and more raspberry colored, and it's so thin!
    Why is it a Mystery shawl, and what's it's name?

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  2. The yarn is absolutley gorgeous. I admire your determination!

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