Friday 22 August 2014

Holiday Knitting - Pebble Beach Shawlette

With sewing taking an ever increasing place in my day as 'work' I have found I turn to knitting more and more as a form of relaxation. In fact I can't remember a time when I didn't have a knitting project on the needles. As soon as one is finished, I have to cast on the next, ready for those rare 5 minters every now and then that I get to indulge myself. Much like english paper piecing, knitting is a portable handy time passing activity, perfect for picking up when there is a dentist appointment, or a school club to wait for or watching the kids in the park.

My knitting has come on so much in the last year, I am really am in love with this new skill and I am excited to see what I can challenge myself to achieve next!

Recently I took part in my first knit along, much like a quilt along, and it was great fun! Everyone knit the wonderful Pebble Beach shawlette designed by Helen Stewart of Curious Handmade.

I used some lovely silk merino mix yarn from the Natural Dye Studio, aptly called Sea King. So soft and full of lovely hues of the sea, I want everything I knit to have silk in from now on!

Lovely bfl/silk yarn ready for possibilities!

I enjoyed taking the project with me everywhere, working on it a little at a time and it soon grew. I even took pebble beach to a pebble beach! I loved Helen's wonderful way of getting you to work through the pattern in percentages, very motivational to see them flying by.

Spent some time knitting my #pebblebeachkal shawl on a pebble beach today

 I added beads to my shawl, the first time I have tried this and I will be doing it again for sure. I love the very subtle sparkle they give and the weight to the shawl is a bonus, helping it stay in place when worn.

#pebblebeachkal is off the needles! That beaded picot cast off was a b**ch to knit-first time doing picot and first time adding beads. So glad I did though as it's gorgeous! Now to get it dry before going home from the inlaws in the morning  I couldn't wa


I used Soak for the first time for blocking and it was lovely, its on my birthday list now (oh I hope my husband reads this before next week!) The lace pattern came out wonderfully with the blocking and I know that I will knit another in the future, its just so pretty! Actually, I am pretty amazed that I have knit this, I feel incredibly clever and I am still a little shocked that I can create something so complex!

#pebblebeachkal shawlette is blocked, dry and ready to be packed for my holiday!

I need not fear the cool evenings that are drawing in, in fact I welcome them so I can wear my pretty shawl!

Close up detail of beading #pebblebeachkal

Of course, the next project is already on the needles! If you are interested the full details of my project can be found here on my ravelry page.

9 comments:

memmens said...

Ooo you are so blinking clever! What is the Soak you use, a wash liquid?

Lynz said...

Ooh, that a BEAUTIFUL! I finished my first socks today - my first garment (s) and first proper knitting since childhood. I am hooked! Pinned maybe? *g* I've cast on another pair already. You're right about the portability - hand sewing has never really gelled with me so I'm thrilled to finally have a couch project!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Emily that is so beautiful!!! Great shot at the beach :)

Gina said...

Beautiful and I love the beads in it xx

Charlotte said...

it's bloody gorgeous!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I love everything about this blog post. Your lovely writing style, the gorgeous photographs and of course your lovely finished shawl.

Katy Cameron said...

Very pretty with the beads

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

It's absolutely stunning! I'm a little bit addicted to knitting shawls, even though I can't wear them (I can't tolerate any type of knitted garment round my neck!) - I love the challenge and the way you don't quite know how it's going to look until it's off the needles!

Unknown said...

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