I seem to like making shawls, though. They are big enough to be a satisfying project without getting as unwieldy as a blanket. You don't have to do any fitting. You barely have to think about gauge. And although I'm still trying to figure out how to wear them, especially when I leave the house, they seem like a good idea for me, given my tendency to wear blankets when I'm home. (Don't knock it: a fuzzy crocheted blanket wrapped around you toga-style is perhaps impractical for most things but oh-so-cosy for end of day couch time.)
This shawl started as a pair of socks. I picked up crocheting because it's a portable crafty project to work on in loose social situations or while waiting for Caitlyn somewhere; quilts don't travel well. Making socks seemed like a good, small project that would finish with something useful. I don't know if it was the pattern or me, but what I ended up with, after finishing one sock and starting the next, was a saggy, sloppy thing, with the weirdest bulge at the top of the foot. This was a sock you could wear over a tennis ball sized growth. I gave up and tore it all out.
I found this pattern on Ravelry and used up almost all the sock yarn (just some JoAnn branded wool blend). The pattern probably wants a differnt yarn or maybe just a larger hook. My version is significantly less lacy than the pattern photo.
But! This shawl isn't so big that I can't wear it under a jacket. If I wear it "backwards" it works as an scarf accent (maybe?); when I get to where I'm going and the big jacket comes off, the scarf turns around and becomes more shawl like, keeping my shoulders warm in cool restaurants.
Now, this next shawl is much bigger and I haven't decided how best to wear it. The yarn came from a abandoned and reclaimed knitting project (I used to knit - who knew?). I'd started a sweater back in the mid '90s and either got the wrong yarn, used the wrong needles, or just didn't get the gauge right. After finishing the back and half a sleeve, and after using up more than half the yarn I'd bought, I was clear I was knitting something for someone maybe half my size. The project lived in a bag for years (and moved several times) until finally a friend ripped it all out for me.
This is a much better use of the yarn. The pattern is here, and I think I did a much better job matching hook size and yarn weight this second time, too.
Now, if only I could figure out how or with what to wear this one...
Your shawls are lovely! If you learn any tricks for wearing them, share! I've knit and crocheted a few and I do wear them of an evening, but as you say, it always seems like a big deal. I do better with shrugs as they stay in place without me having to fuss with them.
ReplyDeleteI have seen people casually wearing shawls as they walk about, but they actually seemed to enjoy the constant attention a shawl requires while any article of clothing that needs attention to stay in place while I'm moving about my day will drive me batty. So I tend to wear shawls when I'm going to be sitting in one place, dining and/or attending some sort of performance. In that case, a shawl is actually a boon because of it's easy on/off nature and the fickle nature of air conditioning/heating systems in halls and restaurants.
I like your shawls! I've never worn one in public but I would try to use a brooch or a giant safety pin to secure it in place or at least keep it from opening.
ReplyDeleteA large brooch would probably do the trick. I don't have one and should probably look around. I'd want one that was large but rather subtle - is that a thing you can get in a brooch? I did have a "shawl pin" that was a wooden circle with a wooden stick. You sort of wove the stick through the lace of the shawl within the circle. It worked ok until the stick part broke, on the first day I tried to wear it!
DeleteMaybe you could try a brooch with something out of fabric on top, like a fabric flower. You'll probably find a lot of free tutorials on the net and could make your own, that looks like an ornament on the shawl.
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