Good books lead you forward

Now the whole shawl I designed is finished. The shawl feels warm and luxurous. I am sure I will use it many times in the future. But I do my best not to spoil it in the daily use.

The book that helped me to learn crocheting is Norwegian Tove Fevang's Helt enkel hekling. It's English version is called Totally simple crochet and it is brand new translation in English. I think it comes out in May 2011.

I have other books about crocheting. Also one given me years ago by my grand mother who did a lot crochet. But all these books are so complicated and confusing. I really can recommend this Tove Fevang's book if you need to learn to crochet. It has very simple and easy instructions with good photos. It includes very first basic skills but has also challenging projects if you want more. What is the best in this book? Well, in it everything needed is explained in the way I can understand it all. This book helped me to design my own shawl and what's the most important -to make it.
 

This is the shawl I designed and knit to fit with my dress to warm my shoulders. The size is  approximately 46cm x 115cm. It weights almost 150g. Even though I used expencive materials total cost is 36€ which is relatively small mount of money when we talk about shawl made of silk and mohair. If you do it yourself you save a lot of money. This is easy project to make and anyone who can or want to learn the basics of knitting and crocheting will succeed well. You just need to deside how wide and tall you want it to be. And because it comes to your shoulders it will suit well anyway. Shawl is also multi useable and last forever if you won't wash it in the wrong way.

Crochet edges make the last finished impression and good contrast to furry mohair knit. The yarn I used for crocheting has not mohair or any other furry material at all so it is also easier to crochet. Black shade is a bit demanding for a beginner but if I managed -you can make it too!

Time to face the fear

Now I have knit the scarf which actually is more like a shawl. That's why I can't escape anymore. So I took my bike for 20km tour to nearest yarn shop. I wish I had spent more time on bike tour and in the little yarn shop but here I am. I prepaired the meat and it's in the oven now. I can't think what else to do so I must open my shopping back and peek inside. And what do I find in there? I find 50g ball of Finnish teetee's  elegant yarn (70% worsted wool and 30% Tussah silk, included jojoba oil, aloe vera and vitamin E, black colour). From it I should be able to crochet the edges of the shawl. Oops!

Interruptions

The cat has learnt to keep her paws away from my balls. :) But daily duties interrupt my knitting. Why do I have to clean and bake? Why I just can't sit down and knit, knit and knit until I'll be hidding behing glorious scarf?

On the other hand -for the first time - I feel a bit fear to finish this knitting. It's because I need to crochet the edges of the scarf to finish it. There's one problem. I can't crochet. Well, I can, that chain loop thing with your fingers. But I guess that won't be enough. I don't make New Year resolutions but this winter I decided I will learn to crochet during the summer... the summer is not here but I crashed at crocheting now...

Walk with me

I am trying to knit everywhere to get the scarf finished. You can meet me with knitting needles at sofa, doctor's office, ballet lesson... And I am neurotic looking  after my mohair-silk balls. The cat is not allowed even to think to look at my fine yarn! Poor little one. But somehow she seems to know those balls of yarns are definately mine -not hers!

Mohair & silk

I have got an invitation to an evening party. It will be after three weeks. I already faced Cindarella's Fairy Godmother who charmed me the most beautiful dress ever. (Thank you!) Because it still will be cold at nights on the party time I need something to cover my shoulders. I ended up to a tiny yarn shop where the ladies recommended me 3 different options. One is Italian Adriafil's Intrigo Trends yarn (65% acrylic and 35% cotton, black and white), the other is Norwegian ASA Gjestal Spinneri's Elegante yarn (70% viscose, 13% cotton, 13% acrylic, 2% polyester and 2% polyamide, black and silver) and the third one is German Austermann's Kid Silk (75% kid mohair and 25% silk, black). I bought one ball of each to knit a bit and try out how they all look with the dress.

I must confess I ended up to Austermann's yarn. Kid Silk unfortunately is expencive. 25g ball of it cost double than 50g ball of Intrigo trends or 50g ball of Elegante. But I must tell you the truth, Kid Silk looks something the Elegante express. The fine luxury shine caused by the silk is glorious and fits perfect to the fabric the dress has. I am trying to comfort myself and repeating deep in my mind "It will last forever".

I have already designed the knit. Now I just need to start it.