Monday, February 17, 2014

Frozen leaves and Barbara Kingsolver


My Frozen Leaves Shawl

Although "Frozen Leaves" could easily refer to my yard right now , as anyone else living in the northeast can verify, it is also the name of a lovely shawl  pattern written by the gifted knitter, Anusla (on Ravelry).

Original Frozen Leaves Shawl by Anusla
I rarely have time to knit for pleasure, because I have been crazy busy with work knitting and designing.  So, I was delighted when all of the snow and snow days coincided with the end of all of my deadlines.  I needed a gift for someone special, and thought a scarf or shawl was a better gift than a sweater, because I didn't have her measurements.  Usually I become consumed with trying to design my own pattern, but I thought this shawl was so lovely, and frankly, I needed a mental break.   I used the modified pattern by "like2makethings", and was delighted to find this to be an extremely relaxing knit.
  I had a skein of Shaefer yarns "Audrey", in the Gloria Steinem colorway. I purchased it years ago on vacation at Patternworks in NH. The yarn is a merino/ silk blend, fingering weight, and lovely to use.  I knit the shawl on size 5 Addi Turbo 24 inch circular needles.  I rarely buy variegated yarns, and although I do like the finished shawl, I did not envision the color to be so  pastel and pink based on the unwound skein, which was far more vibrant.  Lesson learned....

AUDREY from Jimmy Beans wool



 Will she wear a shawl? I hope so. She is a very stylish women, and the shawl is decidedly feminine.  It could be tied into a scarf to wear with a coat, or thrown on over a bathing suit.  Or, thrown over her shoulders while she is reading her kindle.  Either way, I think pretty things are meant to worn, not saved, and I hope she agrees!

See, Violet is wearing a shawl!

Happily, I have been very fortunate with my recent book and magazine knitting.  I have a number of pieces about to be published in different publications.  I can't wait to show them to you- I love seeing the professional pictures.  I also have been working on an exciting "secret" project, and will post as soon as I can!
I couldn't attend Vogue Knitting Live this year, which is a premier knitting event held annually in New York City and other select locations.  The featured speaker at the gala dinner was acclaimed author Barbara Kingsolver (author of "The Poisonwood Bible"),  and I was shocked and delighted to find out that she wore a vest knitted from one of my patterns  to speak at the event. She raises sheep, and I wouldn't be surprised if  the yarn came from her  own sheep.


Barbara Kingsolver from VK Facebook
The pattern is The Cabled Colorblock Vest, shown  on page of Vogue Knitting Magazine  Fall 2013.

Cabled Colorblock Vest
         

I just noticed when I was trying to find a link for the vest that the preview for VK Spring Summer 2014 is  almost up! I have a vest in that issue, but will save that for another post- this one is getting so long-winded!.  I also just heard that we are due for another 5 -6 inches of snow(eek) tonight, so I am going to use my stolen moments to finish a languishing lace knit, before tomorrow's mail brings me the yarn for my next work project. Then, I am going to sit with a nice hot cup of tea, and read The Poisonwood Bible!

13 comments:

  1. Wow! Congrats! How amazing! And I do love the shawl! I think it is just amazing that you are so talented!

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    1. Wendy,
      Thanks for stopping by and remembering my terribly neglected blog. I love the shawl too, although the color is definitely not what I expected. See what happens when one deviates from white yarn? Maybe I'll make one to wear for your book tour!

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  2. Yeah you! Your talent, skill, and creativity are amazing.

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    1. Thank you, Blue Booby! And thank you for visiting : )

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  3. That must have been so amazing to see her in your vest!! I'm impressing with the shawl and will have to take your word for it being a relaxng knit. It looks like a pull my hair out knit for me:). You are so talented.

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    1. It was truly a surprise. The shawl was genuinely a relaxing knit- very rhythmic and logical repeats, and simple clear charts. BTW just peeked at your goodbye post. Vancouver beach has always been on my must see list. Glad that you are feeling better- thanks for stopping by!

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  4. BK in your sweater-- wow! I get Vogue Knitting occasionally, but have never made anything from it. I am an intermediate knitter-- can do simple sweaters, intarsia and aran for the kids when they were little. One of my girls had a mohair phase-- love knitting those!

    The shawl is just lovely, can see it over a simple dress for a wedding. Which end starts here, the pointy one or the wide one? I have to keep my Maggie whosie book by me to remind myself how to increase/decrease properly!

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    1. LAne,
      Thank you for visiting! BK-I know! If you can do aran and intarsia, you can certainly knit lace. Just start simple and rhythmic. Like any thing else, it just takes practice. I love and miss mohair. But, it is costly, and not as versatile as I'd like. I like cables and lace, and the fibers obscure all that hard work. VK is a great publication, and much of the clothing is conceptual- as is the regular Vogue.
      The top right corner of the picture shows the double line of leaves that make up the center of the shawl. Maggie RIghetti is a great author. Another favorite of mine is the Big Book of Knitting by Katharina Buss. Large clear pictures and a wealth of technique information. Shawls are easier than they look- really!

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  5. You need to start a shop, you are so talented, I wish I could make things.

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    1. Tabitha, your blog is one of the most creative and extraordinary ones that I read. I believe you are making something! Thank you for stopping by, and for your compliments. A shop- maybe one day!

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  6. Wow, I am in awe, and I can't wait to see what you do next! That lace is so misty and mysterious, I'm sure being wrapped in the shawl is a calming and comforting experience. And yet it is elegant. Can't stop looking at it.

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    1. Thank you WFF! I really like the pattern and am thinking about making myself one- in all of my spare time.... I just finished a sweater I really like and can't wait for that issue to come out( Early Fall), because I love to see how they are photographed. Thank you for stopping by!

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