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!