Thursday, August 4, 2011

Idle hands


Now those, per my Granny, are the devil's workshop. My hands just can't be still. While I did have a sock I started last week, a plain jane deal in spectacular Mountain Colors Bearfoot yarn, knitting that didn't feel complicated enough. While my hands weren't idle knitting socks, my mind was racing at a million miles an hour. To calm myself, I surfed around the knitter's secret society site Ravelry, and came upon the charming (and free) pattern, Summer Flies. Which it does--the angle of the sun is changing in these dog days of August--but I digress. As soon as I saw DK weight for yarn recommendation, I began the hunt for my Tosh. I knew I'd purchased it and it had to be around this house somewhere just waiting for something to come along and strike my fancy.


Ultimately, I found the three skeins upstairs in the bottom of a shopping bag. I really do need to straighten up that yarn studio. Again. A short search for size 8 needles and the next thing I knew, I'd whipped through 4 of the sections in one sitting, and with my mind occupied by counting stitches, I reached a calm state. While this pattern is not charted, there is really no need to do so. Each row is easily memorized and I've whipped right through this pattern.


Three days later, I've come close to the end and I have reached a point where I'm not certain the shawlette will be long enough, so, still on the needles, I blasted it with some steam to get a better idea of what it will look like blocked. I think I'm going to make it a little longer, and using the best part of Ravelry, I'm going to borrow this Raveler's published pattern notes on pattern expansion. No need to reinvent the wheel.

This shawl will be a gift for a friend who has long, curly, raven colored hair. I think the rich blue color will be a glorious match for her skin tone and hair color. Best thing of all about gifting to this particular recipient is that she adores the work my needles produce.

I'm pretty certain she's going to love this, too.

Project name: Midsummer Night's Dream
Pattern name: Summer Flies
Yarn: Madelinetosh DK in Fathom-purchase at Have you any wool?
Needles: Knitpicks Options US size 8

How are you keeping your hands and mind occupied?



17 comments:

Celia said...

Very pretty shawl. I love the color!! My yarn is hiding in various places too.

KnittySue said...

Oh that yarn is beautiful and it will be more striking with raven colored hair next to it. That is my favorite shawl pattern to date..loved the way the knit pattern changes throughout and it does seem to be a quick knit mostly because I was enjoying it so much. I bought the fingering wt. version of the pattern too but haven't done that one yet. Hope your life is starting to quiet down a bit.

Jane said...

I'm plucking up courage to tidy up my sewing/craft corner tomorrow. It's a big job, but usually throws up a few surprises. I love the way knitting has a calming effect, even better when the results will bring some happiness to someone else

Rudee said...

Knitty Sue, you're right about this pattern. It's quick, but moreover, it makes for a skill building lace piece that's easy enough for beginners and challenging enough for the skilled. It's really more like a sampler.

The Bug said...

Ooh - that's one of my favorite colors! Back when I was more raven-haired I wore it a lot :)

Brenda said...

Love it!

SkippyMom said...

Gorgeous color. And your statue cracks me up everytime I see it. heehee

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

my hands? beads beads beads! ha ha

smiles, bee
xoxoxooxox

Mimi said...

Rudee, it's Beautiful.
I may end up trying one of these myself, as I have lovely DK alpaca that I want to knit into a summer shawl/wrap.
My daughter is the colouring you describe, and yes, that blue is gorgeous on her too.
Fabulous project, and i know what you mean about knitting quieting your mind.

Stephanie V said...

The blue is fabulous! I'm going to look up that pattern, too. You may have heard that i have some stash to use up :)

Stay peaceful...keep knitting.

Knitty said...

You're making it for me??? I don't really consider my hair long, but I will grow it out to fit your description. I may have to cover up some silver to match that raven bit too. ;-)

That is such a gorgeous color. I can't wait to see the finished shawl. I had the first sock of a pair done before I decided I didn't like the pattern, then made a hat that was too small for me but perfect for a friend with a small head.

I finally found a simple pattern for variegated lace weight yarn in shades of denim. I've had it for years and tried at least 6 patterns but all were too busy with the variations in color of this yarn. That is my mindless knitting project but I can't take that to sessions at the yarn store because the yarn is from elsewhere.

This means that I bought more yarn to start another hat, hopefully for me this time, that I can work on at the shop. I like how it is starting out but need to remind myself to save it for Wednesday sessions.

Anonymous said...

I love it!

Gail said...

I can just see this beautiful color enhancing your friend's colors. Another thought about such a wonderful gift, you will always have her covered!

Great work...as usual. Still loving your model, too.

Unknown said...

Love the color of that shawl. Your statue still looks to be as big as your door.

Larjmarj said...

Love the color, it reminds me of blue bottle glass.

Ruth said...

Love the blue and the shawl is very beautifull.

NCmountainwoman said...

I love the blue as well as the scarf/shawl.