Finished: Hanami Stole August 5
I posted an in progress post about this stole a while back. Searching for that link, I discovered that this yarn was delivered on September 24 last year so that’s not bad, considering I didn’t take it to Europe with me. Taking advantage of the fact that Tigger is away at camp, the Hanami Stole is blocking on her bed.
This is an asymmetric pattern and I couldn’t get a good shot of the whole thing so these two photos show it from each end. One end is meant to represent cherry blossom falling and the other end is based on Japanese Sashiko textile patterns. The geometric end has a beaded cast-on. The other end has a ruffle. I knit it in Zephyr, colour garnet (or ruby).
Here are some close ups of each end so you get a better sense of the stitch pattern. I really like it. And the yarn was wonderful. I seem to have quite a bit of one ball left, so I might have to knit a scarf or something. I have a whole batch of lace patterns that I ordered ages ago so should have something nice.
I initially really resisted knitting lace. I liked the look of it but couldn’t imagine what I’d do with it. I actually started with a stole in aran weight yarn that I gave to Mat’s mom for use in their conservatory (which isn’t very warm in the winter). Then I knit a shawl for my own mom, on the principle that she couldn’t complain it was old lady-ish because she is an old lady. I gave it to her for her 78th birthday, if I recall. She loves it. But then I just dove in and knit lace shawls. And I wear them. They are surprisingly warm, despite the holes, and they can be an elegant addition to my wardrobe. In the summer, I don’t even care if I need to be elegant, they are a good thing to take in case it gets a bit chilly later.
I would give them away, and have, though I always worry that folks will want to wash them and then they need to be blocked again. I generally suggest not washing them. Airing them outside (wool is particularly good at letting go of smells if hung out to air) if necessary. For scarves, I’ve included washing instructions that suggest stretching out flat to dry, making sure to open up the pattern.
Lace requires concentration to knit, so not good for the bus or sitting chatting to friends, but it is very relaxing. Well, I think it is, in kind of a meditative way. You have to focus your mind. But as I was finishing this, I did listen to the 2 free lectures on the Ancient Origins of the Olympic Games from the Teaching Company (very interesting; go ahead and download it yourself) and the introductory lecture to the Victorian Britain course I bought the other day.
Other knitting projects that I’m considering include Jaali and Come Together from the Twist Collective (HT Yarn Harlot). Though I should finish that damned sweater that is on the needles and not quite turning out how I imagined first…







