Savvy Thinker » Shawl http://savvythinker.com thinking about life, playing with makeup Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:15:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Dune Mini Poncho http://savvythinker.com/dune-mini-poncho/ http://savvythinker.com/dune-mini-poncho/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:50:31 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2258

Trendsetter Dune is a gorgeous yarn. It is a multicolor mohair blend with slight metallic sheen. I have made several colors in this style. Each color is as beautiful as the next.

If you are sensitive to wool, this might irritate your fingers a little as you work on it. Just alternate what you are working on.

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You can see how it drapes at the neck. It can be worn inside a coat, giving a flash of color if you choose a bright or deep color, at the neckline. Or it can be worn alone. It drapes on the bias, like the Waikiki poncho. Wearing the fringe at the shoulder brings the point approximately mid-center. It hangs just below your waist, so it isn't long and bulky. Alternatively you can wear the fringe at the mid front or at the mid back. Then it looks more like a shawl.

It is warm, but not too warm. There is some wool in the yarn.

Dune Mini Poncho Easy. Easy to finish.
I love the fact that to finish there is little to do.
3 skeins of Dune, used to the last inch. Approx $15/skein.
35 stitches on size 13 needles.

Knit every row. Slip the first stitch of every row, except the first. Bind off very loosely. if there is any yarn left, cut additional pieces as follows. From the last skein, cut 12 pieces of yarn, winding around the short edge of a DVD case.

To finish: Like the Waikiki Poncho, fold the knitted fabric in half. Starting at the outside edge of what will be the shoulder, use 3 pieces of yarn each to make fringe equal-distant up the shoulder. Pull the strands through to the midpoint, then use a single knot, so the shoulder holds together. Of course, you are leaving room for the neck.

Wear and enjoy!

Karin
www.savvythinker.com


Originally posted 2009-03-25 10:04:12.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/dune-mini-poncho/feed/ 0 Colinette Absolutely Fab Throw as shawl http://savvythinker.com/colinette-absolutely-fab-throw-as-shawl/ http://savvythinker.com/colinette-absolutely-fab-throw-as-shawl/#comments Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:55:16 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2091

This is really a gorgeous kit and comes in an array of colors. Directions in each kit include a number of ways to knit the throw.

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I really didn't want to commit myself to that much time -- or expense -- and some of the yarns have wool in them, so I felt the throw would get very little use.

I decided to see if one of my mini poncho patterns would work, since the number of stitches was the same. I knitted the design, following the pattern for yarn, until it was long enough to go around me. Then I made fringe to hold it along the top. For the fringe to hold, it has to pass through both sides; hold them even, and make a single knot. It is not attached like normal fringe. The shawl drapes on the bias.

I figured if I didn't like it, I could just keep knitting, and I'd have the throw. Just the same, I was a bit anxious to see if it would do as I hoped.

I have nearly enough yarn, or I have enough, to make a second shawl, especially if I would fudge the pattern and use the yarn down to the last inch. There is definitely enough if I were to make it for one of my children or a smaller adult. Whatever odd bits of yarn could be incorporated into the fringe.

I was happy with the way it turned out. What do you think?

Karin
www.savvythnker.com


Originally posted 2009-03-23 08:01:21.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/colinette-absolutely-fab-throw-as-shawl/feed/ 0 Wedding Shawls http://savvythinker.com/wedding-shawls/ http://savvythinker.com/wedding-shawls/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:14:57 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2139

While at a concert today, a woman asked me if I had any patterns suitable for an August wedding, for her to make for her daughter, the bride.

Here are some ideas:
Gardiner Toe the Line Shawl
This one looks really beautiful, though I have not knit it.

It should knit up fairly fast, even though it is size 5 needles, because there is a lot of open work. I like working with yarn overs for that reason.


Diamonds and Pearl Stole

This one also looks beautiful, and again, I have not knit it. It is more tailored and requires adding beading.

Some possible books of patterns
Knitted lace of Estonia

More lace

Alternatively, I enjoy working with Eros Glitz. And there are two shades of white in the lineup. One with a silver thread and one with a gold.

I have a pattern for a mini poncho that I will be putting up later this week, using Eros Glitz (Do not substitute the yarn.) Depending on the style of dress, this could be modified. It hangs on the bias and is really quite lovely. I've made it in several colors.

Has anyone made either the Toe the Line Shawl or worked with designs out of the Estonian lace book?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-22 18:29:36.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/wedding-shawls/feed/ 0 Crystal Palace Waikiki Bias Draped Poncho http://savvythinker.com/crystal-palace-waikiki-bias-draped-poncho/ http://savvythinker.com/crystal-palace-waikiki-bias-draped-poncho/#comments Sun, 16 May 2010 05:03:10 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2201

One of my all time favorite patterns
This is not your mother's poncho. This poncho rocks! It has a lovely drape, as it hangs on the bias and feels wonderful against your skin. Because it drapes on the bias, it stretches a bit longer. It is more like a shawl or a wrap, but you don't have to wrap it.

Waikiki has a wonderful hand to it, almost spongy. Knitting it is nice on your hands, and it just makes you happy as you work on it. I almost wished it wouldn't be finished, so I could continue to knit with it. I enjoyed knitting it so much that I made it in several colors. It's light weight, but still warm.

I saw this design displayed in the yarn shop and fell in love with it. When I bought the yarn, they verbally gave me the pattern.

I don't know that Anne Norling originated this pattern. But her picture looks very much like mine.

Waikiki Poncho Easy to knit
Do not substitute the yarn. (The right kind of boucle also works, as I've done with with some cotton that I had.)
Waikiki is a glorious yarn and this poncho is made for it.
Size 11 US needles. 75 stitches.

Knit every row, slipping the first stitch of every row as if to knit, except the first row.

On the last skein, measure out approximately 3 strands for every fringe you will be making. Wrap around a DVD case to get the length. Make enough for about 5-6. Continue to knit to the very end of the skein, reserving enough to bind off loosely. If there is any yarn left, use it in extra fringes.

To finish: fold knitted fabric in half. Secure fringe along one long folded edge (not the edges you cast on or bound off) for the shoulder. Pull strands through equally, then tie in a double knot. (A single knot will pull through when you wear it, so knot it a second time.) (You are not making fringe as per usual.) This secures the shoulder and it won't pull out. Start at the outside edge, space the fringe equally up the shoulder to the point where you want to stop.

As you wear it, the fabric falls on the bias with a lovely draping.

Block by dampening and laying out to dry. It doesn't matter if it is still a bit crinkly as it still drapes well and looks very nice. You could iron it with a warm -- not hot -- iron, but I didn't see the need.

Have you made this poncho?
Please let me know if you do, and what color you make it in.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com


Originally posted 2009-03-24 13:01:54.

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