Friday 4 April 2014

Fireflies Rising Shawlette.......and pattern giveaway.


“Now, from the thick grass, the firefliesbegin to rise:up, then down, then up again:lit on the ascending flight,drifting simultaneously to the same height,–exactly like the bubbles in champagne.”
- A Cold Spring by Elizabeth Bishop

I'm back today, as promised, with a FO and a pattern giveaway!!!!!! Last week, I did a test knit for designer, Helen Stewart, it was for a beautiful crescent shape shawl called Fireflies Rising
Helen designs the most beautiful shawls and accessories, I first discovered her designs back in October, when I came across her knitting podcast called Curious Handmade. I'm knitting the Twinkle Twinkle baby blanket at the moment, which is one of her designs.
This shawlette only uses a 100g skein of 4ply yarn, so most sock yarns would work well. I used Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in Curiousity, which is a gorgeous sock yarn but soft enough to use for a shawl as it's 100% superwash merino. I wear my shawls wrapped around my neck as a scarf in the winter, like in the above photo but though this is called a shawlette, it is plenty big enough to drape around your shoulders on those spring days when you no longer need those big winter coats but want something to keep the chill off.
The pattern calls for 437 yards of yarn, the yarn I was using only had 395 yards, this wasn't a problem though. I ran out of yarn about 10 stitches from the end of casting off but all I did was tink back and cast off the last row, instead. This worked out absolutely fine, so if you have less yarn than the pattern calls for, you can just make the ribbed border, slightly smaller.
It is a quick, easy one skein project, it has enough interest in the pattern for advanced knitters but would make a great project for those who've never knit a shawl before as it is a simple lace pattern and no short rows. I really enjoyed knitting this for Helen and as usual, like all of Helen's patterns, it was very well written and easy to follow.
It was written in the same way as the Frangipani Shawl that I knit back in February. Helen gives you percentages though the pattern so you can see how far you've got but also if you weigh your yarn, you can check how much yarn you're using and that you're on track with your yardage.
Now for the best bit, Helen, has kindly offered not just this pattern but the whole Dream Big collection, that includes this pattern and the Frangipani Shawl but each month you will receive a new pattern until October. This e-book will include ten patterns altogether, once all the patterns have been released, it retails at £12 but one lucky person will receive it free of charge, you've got to be in it to win it!!!!!
All I want you to do to be in with a chance of winning it, is to take a look at Helen's other patterns, that you can find, here, and tell me what your favourite pattern is, it's as easy as that!!!!! If you are a no-reply blogger, you may want to include your email address so I can get in touch with you, otherwise check back here on Wednesday morning. I will put all the names in a teacup and chose one at random, I will close the comments on Tuesday 8th April 11:59pm (GMT).
Helen will send the Dream Big collection to your Ravelry account, if you haven't got one, it's easy to sign up, free of charge and definitely worth doing as there are thousands of knitting and crochet patterns on there, including many free patterns. Good luck everyone!!!!!!
Check out Tami's blog for more Finished Objects, this week.
Have a great weekend, whatever you're up to, I'm attending a Patchwork Workshop tomorrow, which I'm really looking forward too.
xxxxDebxxxx

30 comments:

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

Soooooooo gorgeous! I love love love the colors!!

Ros Crawford said...

Lovely shawl Deb! Have a great weekend ... lets hope it warms up!

thesnailgarden said...

Such a beautiful shawl! Again I am in awe of how quickly you finish your projects! Please may I enter your giveaway? I'm torn between the Fireflies Rising Shawl and the Frangipani Shawl ... I think I'll go for Frangipani! Thank you for hosting such a generous giveaway. Best wishes, Pj x

Reading In The Violets said...

Sooo pretty!! I love the color and the shape of this shawl. I adore the Fireflies Rising Shawl and have it in my queue. Please enter me in your giveaway!

Evelyn said...

Such beautiful work, Deb. I love all her designs but my fave is the Red Robin Shawl ~ it hits all my buttons! Thanks for the chance to win all her designs.

Unknown said...

That Firefly is the one I want to knit. so elegant. Love your version.

Unknown said...

This is so pretty.. I love it.

Hugs~

Unknown said...

Loving the Radiance Shawl. Ruffles and a bit of lace? Yes, please!

Stefanie said...

I am not entering because I'm not a big shawl person but you take shawls to a whole new level girlfriend! I could start liking this type of project more because of you. This outcome is gorgeous! I'm so glad the Madtosh worked out so well with this pattern.

Valerie said...

I love the Radiance Shawl.

PurlingPanda said...

Hmmm, I already have Glitz at the Ritz in my queue but I'm thinking I like Fireflies Rising even more - I think I'd get a lot more wear out of it.

cjac42 said...

I love her Red Robin shawl!! (My email is guitarlove524@gmail.com)

Amy at love made my home said...

Please do not enter me in this as I am not a knitter and don't want to deprive someone who is, but I just wanted to say how beautiful the shawl is and that I love the colour that your chose!! xx

Rachel McKinney said...

odessa shawl. though that seems to change every time i look at her wonderful patterns.

Blossom said...

I love the red robin shawl

Hilary said...

Love your shawl new to shawl making so am making a start on Afternoon Tea which I like. I would love to enter your draw. Email: libbym57@googlemail.com
Thank you

Ana said...

The Curious Collective Shawl is stunning and my favorite. Thank you so much for a chance to win this collection! I'm AnaH on Ravelry.

ikkinlala said...

What a pretty shawl! I think my favourite (other than this one) is the Curious Collective shawl.

ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

Kaylene said...

What an amazing collection of designs! I particularly like the Red Robin Shawl :)

Unknown said...

Your shawl is absolutely darling Deb! Love that pretty colour and the design itself, would look amazing on a plain dress! Enjoy your Sunday, hugs, Ira x
Ira’s Crea Corner

Anonymous said...

I love the Fireflies Rising Shawl, looking for my next project and really like making shawls. I like the Frangipani Shawl too.

justpootling said...

Such a pretty shawl, and beautifully made !
Kate x

Unknown said...

Deb I am in love with your shawl the colour, the shape and the pattern are just perfect, I adore it. You are such a talented lady Deb. Sending you lots of love and hugs
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

britgirlknits said...

Hi
I'm a new reader and found your blog through curious handmade! Thank you for this giveaway chance, I would put the cadence shawl at the top of the list and knit that first!
Britgirlknits on ravelry

Catherine said...

Its the Glitz at the Ritz shawl for me.Love seeing your creations.

Anonymous said...

I saw you wearing it on Saturday lovely.
To enter the competition I like the warm wishes Hottie cover. It reminds me of cold nights were it is nice so snuggle up.

Unknown said...

I love the Radiance Shawl.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to enter the giveaway! I love both the Fireflies Rising Shawl and the Elemental Things Shawl! Thanks!

elns said...

Oh! What a lovely generous giveaway! I am a fan of the Fireflies Rising as well, probably because your FOs are so lovely, but I like the Red Robin shawl a lot. It looks fun and wearable! elns on ravelry!

Kitty Couture said...

What a beautiful shawl! I love all of Helen's designs, but the Radiance Shawl in particular took my breath away.
Thank you to both of you for this wonderful giveaway!

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