The Keeping Cosy Winter Shawl
Pattern: Springtime Bandit
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend, Colour: Atlantic
Started: November 2010
Finished: January 16th 2011
I think photographing this shawl has been ten times the challenge that knitting it was! I've taken several shots over several days to try and capture the glory of this red yarn, I'm calling it a day now though I haven't quite got what I wanted as in these grey, dingy days I don't think I will. Happily I feel the absolute opposite about the actual garment, it's everything I dreamed it could be when I saw the inspiring version A Girl In Winter made in the Manos Silk Blend and this shade, evasive though it may be to the camera is so uplifting that it's been the perfect companion for dark, winter days. It's a warm, deep multi-toned red with a pinky blue base, a real treat for the eye. The shawl is big and grand, but cosy and homely all at once. A wonderful pairing of yarn and pattern.
I didn't manage to get the bottom to settle into the points I was hoping for as I still haven't got my blocking skills or tools up to scratch! Maybe I'll start next year finishing this pattern but with my blocking house in order! Working it has certainly reawakened all that passion I had for shawls at the start of last year.
It took a while as it's a big, ole snuggle of a shawl but it was as luscious on the needles as it is off. This pattern makes a lot of sense to my brain so I can follow along without too many checks of the charts and I even get it right most of the time! It's just been so beautiful to watch it grow and to work with this smooth, squishy yarn which drapes very nicely. Just looking at it makes me feel warmer, which is a good job as that's all I'll be doing soon as I must part with it and send it to my poor present-less mama! Easy to knit, hard to photo, even harder to part with!
Comments
If it's any consolation, here in bright, mostly sunny Australia we have trouble photographing red too! Something about the eye seeing differently to the camera, I'm told!