Kiri Shawl

Here is my lovely Mother modeling the Kiri Shawl that I made for her for Christmas.  Can you see the family resemblance?  So often I am told how much I look like my mother and I love it.  She often reminds me of a time when I was just a little girl, sitting on the bathroom counter watching her put on her makeup.  I would intently watch her and marvel in her beauty and tell her how much I wanted to be as beautiful as her when I grew up.  Well, I got my wish, and I couldn't be happier.

I've often said that I am a very selfish knitter.  When I spend so much time and energy making something beautiful, I often want to keep it for myself.  However, if there was ever a person who is worthy of such time and dedication, it is my mother.  She is a talented knitter herself, and knows and appreciates all the love that goes into any handmade gifts.  She also loves lace shawls and although I really enjoy making them, I don't usually wear them.  It's a knitting match made in heaven. 



This is more true to the color

The Kiri Shawl is a lovely free pattern on Ravelry by Polly Outhwaite.  A gorgeous, lacey triangular shawl that would work with a variety of yarns and can be made to what ever size you'd like.  I chose a 2ply lace weight yarn by Jojoland yarns called Consonance.  This is an amazingly soft and delicate 50% cashmere, 50% silk yarn that knit up beautifully.  I bought 2 skeins of it (at 40% off, does it get any better than that?) and ended up using just a little of the second one.  I don't know what I'll do with the rest of the yarn yet, but you can guarantee that I'll be using every inch of this stuff.  It's that lovely.

Here, Cupcake and I are contemplating weather or not I can get 2 more rows out of the tiny little bit of yarn that is left there.  I did not.  As the rows get larger and larger, they take a surprising amount of yarn and I was forced to add the second skein in for the last row and cast off row.  Thank goodness I had gotten that second skein, which I couldn't have done if it weren't on sale. 

Blocking this sucker was an absolute bitch.  Some of the points came out very nicely and others I couldn't pull out well at all.  Things might have gone more smoothly if I could have used my blocking wires, but unfortunately they have been packed away.  They are 'some where safe', which means they I have no idea where the hell they are.  So, I did the best I could with what I have.  Meaning lots of sewing pins on a towel, on my living room floor.

See what I mean about the points?  It's not perfect, but when worn, you can't see all the little imperfections.  From this point, it was just a matter of keeping Cupcake from running over it.  Of course, this was the point where she thought a round of 'fetch the squeaky toy' was absolutely imperative. 

This wraps up the gift knitting and I am now back to knitting for myself.  I'm already working on  a spring cardigan and am actually almost done with it.  I look forward to sharing it soon.  Even if spring is a long way off.  Maybe it's wishful knitting to be working on a project for warmer weather when the temperatures are in the -40 below region.  I leave you with a picture of what -42 degrees looks like here in Alaska. 

Looks like a perfect day to snuggle under a blanket with Cupcake, my knitting and a hot cup of tea.  Which is exactly what I did.  Stay warm, my friends.

 XOXO,
Cherry