I finished a few projects recently, which surprised even me because they went really quickly and didn’t stay long on my needles. They were still very enjoyable though. I am not publishing this on other social networks because these are supposed to be gifts to a friend. Unless she reads my blog, then the first time she will see them will be when she receives them.

Teaser:


This is my version of Melody’s Shawl. I don’t have a pattern but it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out how to make it. I cast on 220 stitches and used 15 for the fringe. I knitted until I was almost out of yarn. It was a good sized shawl in the end. It does roll on the edges so I blocked it lightly.

Project: Buddy’s Shawl (Raveled!)
Pattern: Loosely based on Melody’s Shawl by Melody Moore
Needles:  US 9/5.5 mm and US 10/6.0 mm
Yarn: Socks that Rock Lightweight
How much: 1 skein = 360 yards
Colorway: Rare Gems from Madrona 2009
Cast on : 21 July 2011
Cast off: 22 July 2011
Notes: Final measurement after blocking is 68 inches long by 9.5 inches wide. I used the larger needle to cast on and off.

Another FO is a present to Rose’s fiance Joe. She told me that he liked “flag” colours, i.e. red, blue, yellow, solid colours. It was perfect because I have been itching to knit with my skein of Rios in Ravelry Red. I scoured my One Skein Wonders books for a simple manly project and I contemplated the Cashmere Neck Warmer, but frankly I knew the repetitive stitch pattern would drive me bonkers.

Then I remembered I have this pattern so I did a quick check on Ravelry project pages. These are just so helpful when you want to see what other knitters have done using the same yarn you want to use, can’t imagine being without it! I went ahead and cast on. It was such an enjoyable knit and the yarn is so lovely to work with that I didn’t mind the wrap and turns. Before I knew it, I was done.  The buttons are from my very first ever purchase from the Button Drawer which sadly has now closed up shop.

I needed a male model for this so I grabbed my son Joseph and made him wear a black jacket over the cowl. The AC was on anyway so it wasn’t like he suffered. I like it. It looks good. But not something fit for Dubai so if I ever made one for the men in my family it will be for use in some colder place. I hope Joe likes his new cowl.

Project: Joe’s Cowl (Raveled!)
Pattern: Shawl Collared Cowl by Alana Dakos
Needles: US 9 – 5.5 mm and US 10 – 6.0 mm
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios
How much: 0.71 skeins = 148.1 yards
Colorway: Ravelry Red
Cast on: 23 July 2011
Cast off: 24 July 2011
Notes: Knitted as per the pattern, no mods.