Attention, Attention, we have a finished object


Now some of you may have been thinking that for a knitting blog I don't seem to finish a lot of knitting and lately it feels as though this has been rather true, at least, anything I have finished I haven't been happy enough with to share, for example the Debbie Bliss silk top. However, here is proof that sometimes I do finish things. I started this Birch on 10th May (this year) and finished it yesterday. Somehow the weather forgot to rain yesterday so Birch did manage a little photo shoot in the garden, the light was rather poor but I thought it best not to risk waiting until today and how right I was because the weather pulled itself together overnight and started raining again.


This is my second Birch and I found it much easier this time, I used stitch markers from the start and at no point had to rip a whole row (and tear out whole handfuls of my own hair as a direct result). I have knitted on and off ever since I was a child but didn't seriously get back into knitting until about 4 years ago when I discovered Rowan yarns and Debbie Bliss patterns, I turned out baby knits like there was no tomorrow and then about 2 years ago I felt confident enough to move on to adult items but I would never have believed back then that I would end up knitting lace. I will never be a great lace knitter but I am learning as I go and improving all the time and I find it incredibly relaxing.


Anna wrote some time ago about knitting lace as therapy and The Champagne Bohemian wrote a beautiful post regarding her lovely Ene's Shawl. I find knitting lace absorbing, I can't whizz along paying little attention, the pattern requires a little more thought. As I get into the swing of it the repetition becomes soothing and as I watch the pattern emerge I feel enormously satisfied. The summer edition of Interweave Knits has a short article by Amy R Singer (of Knitty.com) which mentioned the princess diaries, wow, what can I say, I guess there is a whole lot of therapy in that shawl. I would love to knit something like that but I don't think I'm up to it, there are definitely more Birches in my future though and I am very taken with Katherine's beautiful Fibertrends Lace Leaf shawl, the idea of knitting lace in Kid Classic is very appealing.

This Birch is intended for a very dear friend. She recently had her second child and I hope this will help her feel pampered and comforted. Her first child has just turned two and is very lively. Those first few months with the second baby and a toddler can be so tiring and leave you with very little time to yourself so she deserves something special. We go to visit this weekend and although I am pretty sure she will like the shawl I am a little nervous too.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I think your shawl is beautiful and would be a joy for anyone to receive. Kidsilk haze is soooo light and lovely and the colour you have chosen is stunning and will certainly be comforting xxxx your one-skein pal
Alison said…
It's gorgeous! I love the strong colour with the delicate fabric, and it's such a stunning pattern; simple, but very striking. I'm sure she will be delighted to receive such a beautiful gift, and one for *her*, not the babies... ;)
Anonymous said…
Your friend will adore the shawl - how could she not?! I love the colour (my birch is identical).

I do agree with your comments about lace knitting - it is compelling in a way that knitting a garment just isn't.
Twelfthknit said…
I'm doing Rive in the petrol-blue shade. YOur comment on my blog brough t me to my senses - i had draped the knitting over the radiator in an effort to get a picture of it - and then I LEFT IT THERE. with TWO cats in the house. What a pratt. Needless to say, it's now tucked safely away (well, hopefully, they are craft Siamese...)
India
Anonymous said…
It's beautiful. The colour is gorgeous - just what we need in weather like this!
Kathleen said…
Your Birch is really beautiful in that colour, it's so dramatic, your friend is sure to love it.
alltangledup said…
birch is beautiful and your friend is very lucky indeed to have a friend like you
Anonymous said…
Beautiful - and knitted so quickly! I can't imagine a better gift to a new second time mum.
Anonymous said…
wow, that is just beautiful. I'm sure that your friend will just love it, what a thoughtful gift to make for someone. I love that colour!
Twelfthknit said…
Hi - River is coming along slowly, as you can see in today's entry. Thanks for asking. I think I need to move iinto the River rapids section but I'm a bit distracted by an entrelac wrap.
India
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