Tuesday 27 October 2015

Summertide MKAL

Throughout September and October, Helen of Curious Handmade ran a mystery knit-a-long on Ravelry.  I love Helen's shawl patterns so I didn't hesitate to join the MKAL.  I had previously bought these sumptuous hanks of yarn from Skein Queen with the intention of using them together for a shawl.
 I called this project my Faded Roses Shawl as the colours matched the roses in my garden.
 Clue one was released on 10th September and I cast on straight away.  As I was using smaller needles I knitted 8 extra rows.
 Clue 2 and I added a colour change for the first 2 and last 2 rows.

 Clue 3 and I changed to the brown yarn.
 Clue 4 and I changed the first 2 rows and knitted extra rows at the end.  All the details of my modifications are on my project page.
 When my shawl had dried completely, I took it with us on a day trip to Avebury Manor, which is a National Trust property with a difference.  Here you are actively encouraged to come and play in the house and to handle the exhibits.  I decided to stage a photo shoot around the house with my shawl.  Luckily there weren't too many visitors and I could do this without an audience! :)

 Those are not my bloomers in the background! ;)


 I think the Shetland lace pattern blocked out nicely.
 My favourite photos are the ones on the railings.

 This shawl is so soft!
 For me a shawl pattern designed by Helen and some yarn hand-dyed by Debbie will always be a winning combination.

4 comments:

Jane said...

Beautiful shawl and beautiful yarn, I really like the picture of the shawl on the mannequin with the dress. I love the idea of a mystery knit-along, although I'm not sure my knitting skills are up to a shawl like yours but I will certainly be on the lookout for a crochet one. Have a great week. Jane x

Joanne said...

That is stunning, I can imagine it would be so so soft to wear.
Great photos, the colours really remind me of Neapolitan Ice-cream, which is my children's favourite!!

thesnailgarden said...

Thank you Jane and Joanne.
Jane, I can really recommend Helen's patterns as they are very well written and easy to follow. She also has a group on Ravelry where everyone helps one and other.
Joanne, all the while I was knitting this shawl, I kept seeing Neapolitan ice cream too! :) P x

Stasher said...

How nice to stage your finished shawl in such a lovely setting. I love lace knitting too, and am on Ravelry too! known as Kenilworth Stasher!