Excuse that Bollywood pose. I wasn’t quite sure how a circular shawl is used and the designer suggested it should be folded in half. And I’d written this post before, only to have it disappear on me when I clicked on “Save Draft”. So here we go again in the time-honoured fashion. Because I’m dull and predictable that way.
Yarn: The Unique Sheep Tinsel Toes. A merino/tencel blend meant for socks, I presume. I was hazy about tencel, apparently it’s a manmade plant-based fibre. I used just over one skein. I’m wary about multicoloured yarns in crochet but this pattern being open, the effect was of an eerie spiral. Besides, it was a new experience for me, working with the yarn that the pattern was designed for. Jen was kind enough to have the yarniste mail me the yarn so I could use it.
Hook: 3.25mm
Pattern: Miss Austen by Jennifer Benson (queenmamajen on Ravelry). It’s a Ravelry download. My project page is here.
Time: About a month. It took me that long not because of any difficulty with the pattern, but because of my short attention span. I think it’s funny that I should be making so many shawls with my propensity to wander.
Size: 65″. It barely fit on the guest bed for blocking.
Extra #1 The highlight for me was learning how to make neater bullions with the help of a trick learnt from this video.
#2 I’ve sent it off in a swap and hope the recipient likes it. She did say she did, but then she would, wouldn’t she? She might not even be a shawl person.
Warning! Blue funk alert!
I don’t know why, but I’m increasingly convinced my knitting/crochet is pointless. Don’t misunderstand me, I enjoy the process, but I’m not so sure the product I produce is worthwhile. Perhaps it’s just a phase. I make these things and none of them are adapted to where or how I live. There’s no theme to my doilies, for example, and I don’t use shawls. Few of my friends with babies live in cold places…Let’s see. In the past few weeks I’ve heard: the block and offset shells blanket I made with so much expectation for a friend never made it to her. It might still be there with her mom, but I’m not hopeful. The kid I made it for will outgrow it soon. Then there is the crochet cable hat I made and gave my husband, who carries it whenever we visit a cold place, but he wouldn’t like to be seen wearing it. There’s a doily I gave a friend who clearly cherishes it as a gift, but can only drape it over her dressing table mirror because it’s such a useless piece of work. A baby dress I made and was quite proud of…the child didn’t like it, although the mother said she did. Then I volunteer to test patterns but my work never lives up to the designer’s intentions. Quite dispiriting actually.
Nevermind. It keeps me busy and has given me new friends. This wasn’t intended as a whine, just a record, ok? My next post will be all bright and cheery :p Upward spiral, ok? Honest!
13 comments
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January 26, 2009 at 12:35 am
Trifarina
Amazing picture!
January 26, 2009 at 3:25 pm
onhooksandneedles
I love that picture..and the shawl is gorgeous.
I think you are too hard on yourself
January 26, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Yasmin
Lovely scarf and truly Bollywood picture! I feel the same blues sometimes …But then it goes away the minute I start drooling over yarn and patterns!
January 26, 2009 at 10:32 pm
ramblingroses
Wow, location, location!! Is this in Kerala? The shawl looks so lovely and ethereal – you look lovely too!! I totally understand about the crafting funk/slump. I am going through it too and it happened ever since I decided to go on a yarn diet. Makes me wonder if the two are related. But I still click away at the knitting and it makes me happy. Whether the FO’s I’ve done will see the light of day or be used at all is highly debatable. Being in small-project-mode makes it easier though. Sorry, didn’t mean to ramble on and hog all the commenting space.
January 27, 2009 at 1:43 am
Amy
Wow–what a beautiful photo–you, the shawl, and the scene! I understand your craft doldrums–it’s a regular, if infrequent, thing for me. I wonder if making something perfect for you and your climate would make you feel better. (p.s. doilies aren’t pointless! I have ancient ones from my grandmother, and I love having them draped over surfaces–even the microwave! I don’t have the patience to make my own.)
January 27, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Sarika
create for your own satisfaction…. it’s like making a painting for yourself… the viewer/receiver is secondary. i just finished the fake isle hat for dh and had to give it off to my dad instead… dh would not be seen dead in it i know.
ps…i hope dad does not feel the same way 🙂
anyway am raring to go on to my next project….
v nice touristy photo.miss green hills. delhi is so flat.
January 27, 2009 at 12:52 pm
iaminchennai
Very Very Bollywood picture… It reminds me of some old movies. Actually i wondered sometime back thinking what you are doing with all the doilies… 🙂 But if you dont want to use the shawl as a shawl then may be you can drape it over a table…
January 28, 2009 at 5:32 am
norinoricum
*hugs* Have you seen some of those patterns that take a store-bought t-shirt or tank top and modify it with crocheted lace? I think there’s one at CrochetMe that I’ve been meaning to make. Those would be more appropriate to your climate.
(If you’re wondering about the different userid, I had to create a wordpress account in order to comment at a friend’s blog, and noricum was already taken.)
February 2, 2009 at 3:08 am
Seema
Hey that’s a great work….
February 3, 2009 at 2:30 pm
SJ Schiffman
Dear Crochet Friend: Whenever I get the crochet or crafting blues ( I am also
a quilter), I find that making items for charitable organizations is the way to
go. Once, I made a really lovely latch-hook rug for a girlfriend’s wedding gift. Several months later, she wrote me a thank you note “Thanks for the lovely bathmat!” You can’t let others’ views of your work discourage you.
Although, I would give up making the doilies. These days, most people do not understand the design or creative process. They don’t appreciate handmade items
or the amount of time, effort and money that goes into them. Here in Israel,
I have started to make “get well blankies” of all types; crochet, fleece etc.
I send them to people having chemotherapy. Everyone likes them. Hope my letter has cheered you up. SJ Schiffman, Efrat, Israel
March 29, 2009 at 1:11 am
Pri
Awwwww – I’ve only just read this since I’ve been slowly drowning at work and haven’t had a chance to even think about Ravelry. But, my point is, at least you finish things – I am the queen of UFO’s….. and that is depressing 😦
Besides, you met me!
(ha ha)
pr1ya
July 30, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Jómy
That’s a pretty cool picture, though. 🙂
The shawl’s neat. It’s sooo open and sooo loose.
I don’t know how you managed to keep it from looking wonky and uneven when the stitches are so long.
Good for you! It turned out pretty darn cool. 🙂
October 28, 2009 at 4:38 pm
More lace « Where is she now?
[…] Nicole Designs (queenmamajen on Rav). The etsy link to buy the pattern is here. I’ve made Miss Austen by her before, and one or two others, which apparently I didn’t […]