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AnaB Forum Pro
Joined: April 12 2005 Location: Florida
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Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 9:17am | IP Logged
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Hi There,
My friend's sister just found out that she has metastatic cancer and will be undergoing chemo. The Lord inspired me to knit her a shawl. I was told that she likes autumn colors and purples. I just happen to have a store credit and a 20% coupon for my local knitting shop so I splurged on Lorna's Shepherd Bulky in the Valentine color. It has all those colors in it. It's gorgeous!
Now I don't know which shawl to knit. In the past I've made a K3P3 on large needles which turned out nice but big. I was thinking of a triangular shape, something that would stay on her shoulders without trouble, and something not too pointy at the end (maybe a more rounded or flat bottom?). I'm an advanced beginner.
I am having trouble finding a pattern matches my skill level and yarn weight (worsted). I also want something comfortable but not too "granny" as this lady is young.
Because this yarn is variegated, I wonder if a simple pattern would be best? Some patterns are too holey and I fear tubes and IV's getting stuck in them, but at the same time, I don't want it to be too heavy.
I did look at the Tea & Sympathy pattern at Lionbrand, but am having trouble understanding the pattern as written. I am very open to suggestions and help!!! I would like to have it finished by Christmas.
__________________ His By Grace, AnaB blessed WIFE to Jeff and mama to 4 blessings!
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 10:29am | IP Logged
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have you checked at Ravelry.com? it's a lovely site where people share their projects and such.. you can search for patterns there and perhaps find a free pattern that would suit?
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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MicheleQ Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 23 2005 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 10:53am | IP Logged
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The Tasha Tudor Shawl is always nice. It works up quickly too.
__________________ Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
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AnaB Forum Pro
Joined: April 12 2005 Location: Florida
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Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 11:07am | IP Logged
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Yes, I've spent a whole day pouring through the Ravelry patterns and projects. It's a bit overwhelming. I did see one or two possibilities for what I had in mind, but my yarn isn't the specified yarn or I'd have to alter the pattern a bit to make it what I wanted. I'm not real confident that I could do that.
The Tasha Tudor Shawl is my favorite shawl. But my yarn is so different than what is listed in the pattern (my yarn uses a #10 needle and I think that one called for a #6) that I'm not sure how it would turn out (bigger I'm sure!).
I'm praying for more ideas!
__________________ His By Grace, AnaB blessed WIFE to Jeff and mama to 4 blessings!
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Mary G Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 11:38am | IP Logged
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Here's all you need to do ... CO 3 sts. K1, yo, k to end. Repeat until you're out of yarn or it's big enough and you've got a VERY cozy, garter st shawl that is lovely.
You could do the same thing but get a bit fancier by adding a pattern stitch (have you done any lace or cable patterns?) in the center ... so for instance if you wanted to do a 6-st cable up the center, than CO 12 sts, {k1, yo, k2, place marker, 6-st cable,place marker, k to end.} on next and all rows, {k1, yo, k to marker, 6-st cable, k to end} till run out of yarn or it's big enough ... voila!
EDITED to add: it won't be granny-ish no matter what you make because of the colors. You could also go up a few needle sizes (13 or 15) will make the knitting soft and loose, while still being cozy.
__________________ MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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SusanJ Forum All-Star
Joined: May 25 2007 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 11:41am | IP Logged
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Well, I'm pretty new to knitting myself but the Tasha Tudor pattern is on #4 needles but the pattern does call for heavy worsted yarn. It sounds like this is a very dense shawl once completed since that size needle is usually the standard for lighter yarns. So, if you have the correct needles this pattern might be perfect for you. The density seems like it would help with the snagging you are worried about with your friend's medical things as well.
__________________ Mom to Joseph-8, Margaret-6, William-4, Gregory-2, and new little one due 11/1
Life Together
[URL=http://thejohnstonkids.blogspot.com]The Kids' Blog[/UR
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Mary G Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 1:33pm | IP Logged
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Susan, you're right, the TT shawl is very dense ... but in the variegated would be very pretty.
Ana, I wouldn't worry too much about holes in the shawl and tubes, etc. Fuzziness from the yarn would be more of an issue than holes.
eta: forgot to finish my thought ....
Anyway ... the benefit to a shawl is that it can be pushed out of the way of the tubes, etc while a bed jacket or sweater would be in the way. Any kind of shawl would be beneficial to one who is cold but needs freedom of movement, if ykwim!
Hope this all helps ... and prayers for your friend ... cancer is no fun!
__________________ MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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AnaB Forum Pro
Joined: April 12 2005 Location: Florida
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Posted: Nov 12 2009 at 9:19pm | IP Logged
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That's what I was thinking Mary. I'm thinking of making the Tea & Sympathy shawl from Lionbrand, but just make it bigger. http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/khs-teaAndSympathyShawl.ht ml?noImages=
What do you think?
The pattern is not worded as clearly as I would like, but I think I can make it work.
They tell you to cast on 10 then knit a row then knit rows 1-2 across. Then they tell you that Rows 1 & 2 of lacy pattern require you to K1 M1. Then row 3 you wrap and extra time around the needle and row 4 you drop the wrap part of the stitch. I've never done something like this before.
I'm hoping I'll figure it out.
__________________ His By Grace, AnaB blessed WIFE to Jeff and mama to 4 blessings!
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Mary G Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Nov 13 2009 at 4:48am | IP Logged
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e-holler if you need help!
__________________ MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Kathryn UK Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005 Location: England
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Posted: Nov 14 2009 at 5:00pm | IP Logged
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I made this Easy Triangle Shawl in chunky variegated yarn recently. It was quite easy to knit, and came out lovely and snuggly.
__________________ Kathryn
Dh Michael, Rachel(3/95) Hannah(8/98) Naomi(6/06) (11/07)
The Bookworm
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