FO: Flower Basket Shawl
If you saw me this past Wednesday at NDG knitting night, this is what I was working on: the Flower Basket Shawl (by Evelyn A. Clark), from the fall 2004 issue of IK. (That issue is no longer available, but Fiber Trends sells the pattern.) I love how this turned out. I love the size: 49.5 inches across the top, by 24 inches deep at the point. I love the yarn: Handmaiden Mini Maiden (50% silk, 50% wool). 
The pattern calls for laceweight yarn held double, knit on 4.5mm needles. The Mini Maiden is considered a fingering weight yarn, and I used a 4.0mm needle. I didn't want this shawl to be super open and airy; instead, I want to wear it as a warm scarf. The pattern calls for seven repeats of the basket lace chart, and I did ten repeats. I only used three-quarters of the skein, so I certainly could've knit more repeats, but I didn't want it to get too big. I think it turned out perfectly. In fact, my only complaint is that I cannot get these photos to show the true deep richness of the peacock-blue yarn. So forget the colour. Rest assured it is gorgeous. But so is the shawl, so here are a couple of faded photos for you: 
Seeing the wrong colour drives me crazy, but the faded colour is just kind of pretty. It really sets off my priceless heirloom shawl pin, too, don't you think?
I'm thinking of casting on for an Icarus Shawl next, or maybe the Go Fly a Kite Shawl. Or can I hold out until Twist Collective goes live on August 1? Because they're going to have a shawl. (Hold your mouse over circles 44 and 29.) Which Twist previews are you most anticipating?
24 comments:
Look how cute that is on you!
Left you a comment on flickr but I'll say it again here....very beautiful....love those faded photos...I'm quite into taking black and white with a touch of colour at the moment as I really like the effect it creates.
Lovely. The size and weight do look perfect.
28 and 58!!!
So cute. I love how the flower basket pattern is easy to adjust for gauge and drape as well. And the yarn is richer in real life? Well, damn.
And thanks for the heads up on Twist Collective. I want to be wearing whatever 62 is right now (in a cooler clime) and the brick-coloured sweater of 14 and perhaps 25 as well looks lovely.
It's gorgeous!
such a gorgeous shawl and pattern! have you tried changing the white balance on your camera to reflect the outside lighting conditions? you might get better color that way.
It looks great Alison! Too bad I missed you on Wednesday night.
Love the tee as a shawl pin. I think you need one of these: http://www.robynsnest.ca/xcart/home.php?cat=305
:)
Hope to see you soon!
You and your shawl are adorable.
Gorgeous! I think you should start another shawl! You could be a long ways into it by August 1. Maybe even finished!?!
so pretty!!!! Icarus is one of my favorites
It's beautiful, faded color and all!
Your hair is awesome, too -- have I said that yet?
What a lovely shawl, Alison! It's just beautiful.
I love your shawl, such a great colour!
That's a golf tee isn't it? (your shawl pin)
Your shawl is beautiful! I made one in a dk weight and use it for more of a scarf too. Nice and toasty. I can't wait for Twist!
beth (big geek)
What a gorgeous shawl! I've been eyeing Mini Maiden for quite a while -- such lovely, soft stuff. Please update us on how it holds up! I was a bit concerned about possible pilling.
This is beautiful! I think the color is awesome.
Beautiful work! I have some handmaiden seasilk that I've been kind of saving for the shetland triangle... but this is temptimg me!
The first couple of photos hint at the beautiful peacock hue of the Handmaiden yarn. The shawl is, as you say, the perfect size and it looks terrific on you.
The shawl is beautiful and love the color!
funny - this pattern has been so popular for years, but seeing your lovely version makes me want one now. i really like it, a~
That is a beautiful shawl. I've knit several Flower Baskets using fingering weight wool of different amounts, and it looks as great in a small version (or scarf version) as it does in the bigger size.
That color is gorgeous on you!! And the Twist Collective, where have I been? Those preview swatches are so pretty!
Beautiful shawl!
Ooohh, pretty!
I knit an Icarus recently.
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