Three weeks ago, one of my online friends sent me a message in which she asked if I would be willing to make her a shawl. She had seen the one I crocheted for my church’s prayer ministry, which came from this booklet (purchased at Joann’s):
She wanted to pay me. For shame! How can you put a price on handiwork? I offered to let her pay for the yarn and shipping and call it even.
The deal was done.
I bought the yarn right away, even though I had explained that it would probably be a while before I made it…having other projects on my needles…one of which was the Swallowtail Lace Shawl.
That bag of yarn was like a siren…calling to me from the dining room table, where I had placed it.
There’s something about making a commitment to a friend. You want to follow through right away.
And so, after feeling frustrated with the Mexican Rainbow Shawl, I began Christine’s shawl on May 18th. Because I haven’t delivered the other shawl to church, I was able to check my gauge. Apparently I crochet tightly. I decided to go up two hook sizes to an I (5.5mm) hook.
I quickly made progress. I think my crocheting has improved. There’s a different kind of rhythm that I find very soothing.
Four days later I had completed this much (keeping in mind that I do work and sort-of clean and cook)…
Two days later, I finished. It was actually rather late at night when I wove in the last end, so Chicky took pictures of it yesterday (Memorial Day)…hence my patriotic shirt…
You’ll notice that this shawl is bigger than the last one. I really like the texture that resulted from using a larger hook. The stitches are much more open, and the yarn is fabulously soft.
I just love this shawl. I love the yarn – Bernat Satin (Worsted). It’s soft, snuggly, and will be oh so warm in the frigid climate that my friend lives in.
The border, which I struggled with last time, was much easier this go-round. Maybe it was the fact that the stitches were looser, making it easier to see where I needed to insert the hook. I don’t know, but all I can say is I tore it up (that means I went really fast), easily completing it in one sitting and with no hair-pulling.
I’m going to put it in the mail today. My fingers are crossed that it lives up to her expectations.
Filed under: crochet | Tagged: bernat satin, crochet, shawl | 6 Comments »
AuburnChick's Adventures 