How are you my friends? I hope you've all had a good week, I'm back today, to show you my finished, Frangipani Shawl, I absolutely love how it's turned out.
I used The Natural Dye Studio 4ply in 100% Silk, I've never knit in silk before, but would definitely use it again, the shawl is going to be perfect for the summer to drape over my shoulders on cooler evenings.
The pattern is a dream to knit, very easy to follow, I love that Helen gives you the percentage of how far you've knit, it really spurs you on and makes you want to knit to the next mile stone. I think this would make a great lace pattern for a beginner but there's enough to hold your attention, if you are a more experienced lace knitter.
Yesterday, I went to a Rowan, Introduction to Fairisle and Intarsia Workshop with Vicki Walker. It was at John Lewis in Solihull and I had an absolutely fabulous day. There was nine of us altogether and everyone was very chatty and friendly, I think you always find that with fellow knitters. We were all given a bag with five small balls of Rowan Felted Tweed DK in various colours and written instructions with charts.
Vicki was a brilliant teacher with a great way about her, she made something that looks complicated, very easy to learn. I had tried to do Fairisle before but it didn't turn out great, the tension was far too tight and pulled. Traditionally, Fairisle only uses two colours in any one row, Vicki taught us how to hold the two strands of yarn, one in each hand and how to carry them across which helps with getting the correct tension. She also showed us how to weave in the ends as you went along, which is a good thing to know, I wouldn't fancy sewing in all those ends when you'd finished your project!!!!!! I knit ten rows before lunch, it was slow going at first but once I'd done the first few rows, I definitely got quicker.
After lunch, which was included in the price and was very nice, we cracked on with our Fairisle square, I think most of us got it finished. I'm really pleased with how mine turned out, next up was learning how to do Intarsia, properly. This was a to easier to pick up than the Fairisle and I only had a couple more rows to finish off at home.
I now have my two finished squares, which i would like to make into a zipper purse but I need to learn how to add a zip!!!! It will probably end up as a lavender square or a pun cushion!!!! I can't believe how easy I picked it up, which was mostly down to Vicki's, teaching skills. I would highly recommend one of her workshops, you can find out where she is here. I'm linking this post to Tami's, FO Friday.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.
xxxxDebxxxx
