You may recall that I went to the Unravel festival in Farnham a few weeks ago, and these are the skeins of yarn I came home with. Very restrained, I think, considering I could literally have bought something from every single stand had money been no object!
I bought the Bellagio shawl pattern from Debonnaire Yarns and planned to use the yellow yarn for it, which is a laceweight Ainsworth Prin bought from The Knitting Shed, 80/20 Baby Alpaca & Silk.
There’s something special about skeins of yarn as opposed to the balls that are more readily sold. I love the process of transforming it into a yarn cake, too. All part of the pleasure of hand knitting, I suppose.
I used a 3.75mm circular because I didn’t have the 4mm one that it required, so the final measurements were slightly smaller than those listed.
The border was an easy-to-memorise 16 row lace pattern and, unusually, it was an asymmetric design.
After completing the main border, I made a spontaneous decision to change the colourway and add in the navy yarn bought at Unravel. Making it up as I went, I included three golden stripes to break up the navy and add interest.
The ‘feel’ of the original pattern has totally changed but, as I wear mustard and navy together, this combination in a shawl made perfect sense.
The construction is slightly unusual, but I like the asymmetry of it which is enhanced by the three stripes.
A little under two weeks, and it was nearly finished.
I really must get some blocking pins, but until then, I’ll continue to use dressmaking pins and a towel on the dining table.
Here’s the finished shawl, laid out over the back of the sofa.
I did make several mistakes in the lace – not that you’d notice as the pattern is very forgiving.
Being laceweight, the shawl has a light texture and drapes beautifully.
It’s nice and warm around the neck, without being constrictive as it’s so light that you don’t really notice you’re wearing anything!
It’s already drawn lots of compliments (shawls do, don’t they?) and goes well with my Stag’s head dress – a favourite which is bearing up well considering how often I wear it.
The thing about hand knitted shawls is that you simply can’t buy them, which is why they get noticed, I suppose. I love having something unique….which is why I can’t wait to cast on another one with some more of that lovely yarn from Unravel:)
March 16, 2018 at 9:16 pm
It’s beautiful – and I love the way you made it uniquely yours too. Looks like another good pattern!
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March 16, 2018 at 9:22 pm
I hadn’t planned on changing the design, it was just one of those last minute decisions that worked! I can see myself making it again though, as the lace was lovely to knit.
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March 16, 2018 at 9:19 pm
That’s really lovely and looks like a lot of work! Good for you. We have the Rhinebeck Sheep & Wool fair in October near here, and people come from all over the world to spend too much money on wool and to take classes etc. I haven’t been yet but hope to go sometime. https://www.sheepandwool.com/
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March 16, 2018 at 9:26 pm
Is it possible to spend too much on yarn?! I hope you get to go next time – yarn festivals are fab😍
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March 16, 2018 at 9:27 pm
They seem great, and they seem to attract really great people who raise sheep and/or who appreciate all the hard work.
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March 16, 2018 at 9:37 pm
Mustard and navy is one of my favourite colour combinations and look lovely together on your shawl.
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March 20, 2018 at 9:04 am
It’s a classic combination, isn’t it – I’m glad I went ahead and changed it at the last minute.
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March 16, 2018 at 9:54 pm
It’s stunning Sheila, I’m not surprised you have been complemented on it 🙂 ❤
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March 20, 2018 at 9:03 am
Thank you, it’s been worn a lot in this current cold spell, too:)
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March 17, 2018 at 6:49 am
Beautiful 🕊🐶😀💐
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March 17, 2018 at 8:55 am
I love those two colours together and it will go very well with your stags head dress. I think you ought to grab some more of that fabric while you can and make another in case the first one wears out!
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March 20, 2018 at 9:03 am
You’re so right and I can’t say the thought hasn’t crossed my mind!!
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March 17, 2018 at 10:16 am
Your shawl is gorgeous. Your changes to the pattern work really well and make it unique.
When you’re blocking are you really just using a towel? Doesn’t the piece end up pulling the towel in? I’m intrigued as I’ve still never blocked anything!! 😳
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March 20, 2018 at 9:02 am
Yes, just a towel or two folded up and normal dressmaking pins – specialist equipment is nice, but not necessary! If the pins and towel are being pulled in, that’s a sign that you’re stretching the piece too much. Blocked measurements are usually given as a guideline, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
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March 20, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Oh that’s cool. Thank you for your help
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March 17, 2018 at 11:53 am
Beautiful. Love the combination of colours. 🙂
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March 20, 2018 at 8:59 am
Thanks Bekki, it’s actually more wearable than the yellow on its own would have been.
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March 20, 2018 at 11:25 am
Definitely and looks nicer than a single colour.
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March 17, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Very pretty, and perfect for the current cold snap. Enjoy the compliments – you’ve earned them 😃
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March 20, 2018 at 8:58 am
Thank you and you’re right – all of my shawls are getting their turn out of the wardrobe at the moment:)
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March 17, 2018 at 7:14 pm
This is just so pretty!
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March 20, 2018 at 8:56 am
Thank you so much:)
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March 17, 2018 at 11:05 pm
Beautiful!
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March 20, 2018 at 8:56 am
Thank you!
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March 18, 2018 at 10:32 am
Lovely shawl. The colours look great together. What a very classy design you turned it into
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March 20, 2018 at 8:55 am
Thanks Pippa, it looks quite different to the original, doesn’t it?
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March 20, 2018 at 11:13 am
Yeah. Loving it
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March 18, 2018 at 4:33 pm
This is just stunning! Love the colour combination!
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March 20, 2018 at 8:52 am
Thank you so much, it’s a welcome addition to my shawl collection, that’s for sure:)
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March 18, 2018 at 8:42 pm
Beautiful shawl. I am using an old yoga mat for blocking but haven’t got the pins either. Mx
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March 20, 2018 at 8:51 am
It just goes to show that specialist equipment isn’t necessary, doesn’t it?! I really would like some blocking pins, though:)
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March 20, 2018 at 10:14 am
Me too! I think they will make blocking easier. Mxxx
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March 19, 2018 at 2:17 pm
I was just thinking that these colours are so you and would go with the dress when you wrote it goes so well with the dress! Beautiful
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March 20, 2018 at 8:49 am
Ha ha, you know me so well!
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March 19, 2018 at 10:38 pm
It looks so beautiful! I love yellow and blue together, they are great colours and the pattern is just gorgeous
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March 20, 2018 at 8:49 am
Thank you, I’m so glad I added the navy at the last minute!
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March 20, 2018 at 12:14 pm
The colours really work together, and it is amazing how well the lines seem to stand out. It is a classic, and will look with anything. Lacy shawls are a must have during any season. 🙂
This one is superb. 🙂
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March 20, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Oh, they are – laceweight is my favourite for a shawl as it’s so light you don’t really know you’re wearing it!
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March 21, 2018 at 4:53 pm
it’s beautiful! The lace pattern is gorgeous – there is no way anyone would notice a mistake in that!
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March 21, 2018 at 6:01 pm
Thanks, that’s what I thought when I briefly considered unpicking!!
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March 26, 2018 at 3:49 am
Blue and gold are a winning combination aren’t they? This is lovely, Sheila.
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