Sunday 26 January 2014

Here Comes The Bride!

When a friend of mine wanted to invite me to her wedding, I was thrilled. Except for one thing. For reasons beyond my control I am unable to go. But that did not stop me from wanting to do something special since I can't be there. I know that bridal shawls are far from the norm here, but I offered, and she said she would love it. So I said I would, as my wedding gift. I would make her a shawl in any shape she liked. So I showed her different shapes and patterns until we found one that she loved and said 'that's the one'. I bought some lovely lambswool/angora bunny blend yarn which would be light, warm and luxurious, and got to work.

The pattern she chose was the Japanese Feather and Fan shawl by IzzyKnits. A lovely pattern, but one I wanted to enlarge some, and spent some time scratching my head about how to do it. But I did figure it out, and if anyone wants to know how, I made notes on my project in Ravelry. Feel free to use my adaptations!

It was a lovely pattern to work, quite easy compared to some I have work, but amazingly effective. Though by the time I had enlarged it and got to the border I had nearly 770 stitches on the needle! The  rows took some time to complete then. But totally worth it. I cast off a few days ago, then to blocking.

Blocking is an interesting process, as it really makes lace shine when you hard block. Though soaking your knit then stretching it out to within an inch of its life takes some courage the first time you do it. Here's the shawl on the blocking mats:


Not the best view of it, but perhaps this before and after will give an idea of the difference the process makes.

Before:


All bumpy, curly and bunched up

After:


And in close up, before:


and after:


It makes a huge difference and makes it look so much more polished.

I am immensely pleased with it, and about to send it off to my bride to be very soon, and I really hope she loves it and it keeps her warm on her special day. Its been knit with love in every stitch, and hope for a long and happy marriage. A great big hug from me when I can't be there! So there it is finally, the special big shawl I have been working on.

Now onto the next project, a dress for my little miss!

Till next time!


12 comments:

  1. That shawl is nothing short of stunning! I'm sure the bride will cherish it.

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    1. Thank you! I really hope it keeps her warm and makes her feel pretty as she deserves to on her special day!

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  2. Ahhhh it's so beautiful!! I really can't thank you enough! <3

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    1. I want to see pictures of you in it hon! I really, really hope its a perfect match with your dress and makes you look like the princess you are! xx

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  3. Oh my! It's beautiful. That's one lucky friend you have :)

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    1. She is a great friend and she spoils me too, so I wanted to do something special since I can't hug her on the day!

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  4. Oh wow! that is the most intricate thing I have seen! you are such a good friend!

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    1. Thank you. I must admit the pattern is simpler than it looks. It's very effective. And rather enjoyable too. I think my most challenging to date was this one:
      http://gothycrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/golden-dreams.html

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  5. That is amazing hunni, you are insanely talented and I am jealous.... I wish I was able to knit/crochet for more than 30 mins a day but at the moment my wrists are playing up and so big projects like this are all on back burners.... so I will stick to admiring yours <3

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    1. Oh hon, thank you so much. That's awful about your wrists! What's making them sore? I must confess this pattern makes me look good. Its not a difficult one! Just big.

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    2. A good pattern requires a good knitter, I couldn't do it, I can do basic knitting but past that I am lost....

      I have tendonitis that flares up in both wrists to the point of having to wear the really sexy granny splints with the metal supports in them and at the moment they are really bad and not sure why, maybe the cold I think... But I wear the supports and take the meds and only do what I can, it just makes projects take soooooo much longer.

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    3. you're really very kind. I just knit/crochet/spin to stay sane lol! Youtube is your friend, its how I learned all the stitches!

      Oof that's rough. I used to have a support after breaking my wrist but generally it doesn't give me any pain anymore. Wishing this flare up to pass quickly for you!

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