Saturday, July 13, 2013

A Gift for Gracie

My wonderful MIL Gracie is turning 95 in September.  Can you imagine?  She is still going strong, a bit forgetful, but still living her life in a grand way.  I have been looking for something special to make for her for several months.  I have been cruising Pinterest and Ravelry hoping to find the perfect project.  I was looking for a shawl, something to keep her now little body, warm on cool days and cool nights. 

Enter Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow, she recently completed this beautiful shawl called Lisa's Wrap.  It is on her June 20, 2013 post.  For some reason I can not pull just this blog post up.  When I saw it I knew it was the one.  I had been thinking about something  to crochet, but what I really wanted is to pick up my needles and knit.  


Tanna made her gorgeous shawl with much thicker yarn than I did.   Which means I had to cast on 10 more stitches or one extra repeat to get the proper dimensions.


I used 440 yards of Universal Yarn, Wisdom Yarn Poems in 100% wool, with size 11 needles.  My MIL loves purples and greens so this yarn worked out well.  I had this yarn from an earlier purchase this year to make a shawl that didn't ever end up being made.


The pattern was really not difficult, but you see my mind wanders, so there were plenty of rows I had to  rip out and start again to get the right stitch count.  That is what happens to me with a lace pattern, sometimes I have trouble counting to 7, over and over again. Head on over and visit Tanna, she has the pattern for this shawl on her blog, you can also see what an incredibly gifted artist she is.

That is completed project 23 for me for the year.  I have slowed way down, and that is just fine with me.  Summer should be about slow and gentle, relaxing and trying to stay cool.


Speaking of staying cool, look where I found Max after our walk yesterday morning.  He was in my shower!  I swear he has only done this twice before in his life, I guess the Florida heat is too much for both of us right now.

By the way I finished Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.  It was an amazing book, I learned so much about the hardship orphans went through in this country around the 1920's.  It was beautifully written, if you are looking for a good read, check this book out.

Don't forget to send you loved but unused yarn to Yarn Alive, the address is on my last post.
Hope you are staying cool.

37 comments:

Vicki Boster said...

Meredith- this wrap is absolutely gorgeous- you chose the perfect yarn to accent the beautiful pattern. I just can't believe you made this-- it's simply stunning-- a wonderful beautiful gift for your MIL. At 95-- she deserves something as special as this:)

Thank you for visiting my little yarn room--xoxo
Vicki

Bridget said...

That is very pretty, I think she will love it.

I can barely imagine being 65, much less 95!

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh I love this shawl. I loved it when I saw Tanna's on her blog and now I love your's too.

The yarn you used is just yummy. I am a purple and green Gal, too...so this is perfect for your dear MIL.

Oh poor sweet Max, he looks so pitiful. Does Auntie Stitchy need to come rescue him from all that heat?

Blessings always dear friend

kathyinozarks said...

I love the shawl you made-the colors are gorgeous and I love the lacy pattern.
There were orphan trains here in Missouri-we had a good friend that was on one of those and got adopted off the train-
Max has found the perfect cool place-enjoy your weekend

Hanne said...

The wrap is so nice, the colors wonderful.
So you are having warm weather in Florida :) I was in Florida in Feb years ago and it was pretty hot there too...

ColourMeCrochet said...

What beautiful shawl and the colours are stunning. I always think hand made presents are more precious and personal. Your MIL will love it.

Sally x

Unknown said...

That shawl is beautiful!!! She is going to love it! Can you just imagine what she has seen in her life. So much that was new to her generation. What they must think of all the things we have now! Can I join Max on that nice cool floor? Been hot and humid here. Cooler tonight though.

pembrokeshire lass said...

What a really pretty wrap...I love the pattern and the colour way. My Mum is 93 in a few weeks and I am constantly looking for things that will keep her ward and make her feel good so I'm sure your MIL just loved it!! I loved the photo of your dog. I guess an overheated hot dog's gotta do what an overheated dog's gotta do!! I wish there were something like Yarn Alive in the UK! It seems a really good idea! Joan

Marjo said...

Wowww Meredith,

Such a beautiful scarf.....

Hugs from a Sunny Belgium

Marjo

Pradeepa said...

The shawl is GORGEOUS. I love the pattern and I love the color. Your MIL will love it. Poor Max. Even I love to lie on cool floor when it is hot here.

Taci simmons said...

Wow my dear firmed ...your MIL is very lucky not only will she get a gorgeous shawl she also gets you for DIL... I hope shahs a wonderful birthday...what a life accomplishment to be 93 and still healthy . She will absolutely love the shawl!

linda said...

It's beautiful Meredith! what a lovely thoughtful gift your MIL will treasure it I'm sure. :)

Plain Jane said...

Wow Meredith that's gorgeous - you are going to have the coolest 95 year old M.I.L. around! Well done x Jane

kathy b said...

Mere

YOu have done a magnificent job with that gift . The knit and yarn are amazing!!!!!!!!!

Poor Max, Heat in the south is something...

Tanna said...

Oh, Meredith! Your shawl is so beautiful and I know your dear MIL will appreciate the love you knitted into it. Thank you so much for your kind words, too.

Ah, that Max... summertime and the living is easy.... ;) blessings and hugs ~ tanna

Anonymous said...

The shawl for your MIL is beautiful. What lovely colors. Wishing her a very happy birthday.

We had a friend's dog that always was in the shower in the summer. Our dog used to wrap himself around the bottom of the toilet bowl. Guess the cold water kept his tummy cool.

RURAL said...

Your MIL is going to so appreciate your thoughtfulness, and kindness when you gift that to her. It's lovely, and such a great idea.

Jen

Toni said...

Oh, she is going to love it!!!!

Susanne Tyree said...

What a lovely hand made gift for your MIL. She is bound to love it! Oh bless his heart, your Max, he is trying to cool off no doubt. The heat is hard on dogs. My friend in Ft. Myers has a German Shepard and she not only has the ac on, but she keeps a fan blowing and he lays in front of it to keep cool. Way back when my youngest had her Siberian Husky it ripped the inside walls out of the doghouse my husband made for it. And she did that during the Winter months....guess it was just too warm for her during the Ohio Winter. It showed us that a dog like that belonged in her own element, which we all know is Alaska or colder places. Have a good week.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Teresa Kasner said...

Meredith, you have my deepest admiration for making that lacy knitted shawl! The colors remind me of a hydrangea blossom against the green leaves! You're so generous! I'm going now to buy that book. My girls arrive in 2 days! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Ladybird Diaries said...

The shawl is beautiful. Such a lovely thoughtful gift for your mother in law.
M x

honeycat said...

So beautiful, I love the colours and the pattern. Poor Max has my sympathy, my poor chocolate Labrador is finding our UK heatwave hard work. We are taking him to the river twice a day for a cooling dip.

Melanie :-)

Joy said...

That is one stunning shawl Meredith - I'm sure your MIL will just love it! The blend of colours is perfect!
Poor Max - very wise Max - and why not take refuge in the coolest place possible!
Happy week lovely Meredith, and keep yourself - as well as Max - cool!
Joy xo

Karen said...

Oh, Meredith, this is absolutely gorgeous. I love the colors and it looks so so, soft.

Max knows just where to go, doesn't he? Smart boy!

EMMA said...

That's a wonderful shawl and the color is fantastic. I've just given up on a 10 stitch repeat lace pattern, maybe I'll try yours instead.
Max, he's such a darling. Send him over to us in the alps to cool off a bit!!!

Babajeza said...

How nice to make her something warm. It's a beautiful skarf. Your MIL will love it. :-)

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Meredith. What a beautiful and delicate shawl you have created for you MIL..I am sure she will treasure it.. Max is NO dummie he knows where the coolest place in the house is...He looks pretty dragged out... The Orphan Train sounds like a very good book. I will see if my library has it. Have a lovely week and hopefully it will cool off a bit for you all. Hugs Judy

Kristen said...

Lovely shawl! She'll love it, of course. :)

I sympathize with Max--he looks like I feel.

Mrs. Micawber said...

Wow, Mere, the shawl is a knock-out! Gorgeous pattern, gorgeous yarn. I don't know how you knitters do it. :) I am sure your MIL will love it and enjoy cuddling up in it.

Max knows where to hang out, doesn't he? Does he ever try jumping in the pool? Stay cool, my Florida friend! :)

Julie said...

What a gorgeous shawl Meredith! Maybe next year, I'll have learned to knit well enough to make a shawl for my Mom. She'll be 89 next year! J

Anonymous said...

A lovely shawl, the colours go so well together -I like the yarn.

Claire said...

What a lovely DIL you are Meredith......I'm sure Gracie will treasure this gift and love wearing it.
Beautiful colours and pattern.
Project 23, well done, your hands are never still for long.
Oh Max you gorgeous dog, I feel exactly the same way in Summer......X

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for sharing a peek at your wonderful gift to your MIL, Gracie, Meredith! Your beautiful work continues to encourage me to keep at my own creative efforts, even if I never produce such intricately lovely gifts for others as you do, I want to try to follow your good example!
Love with hugs,
Gracie

MarmePurl said...

Lovely work!

Leah said...

Wow hon - you are an extraordinary knitter! What beautiful, beautiful work. I adore the pic of Max in the shower - too cute.

Have a lovely week.
Leah
xx

Liz said...

Meredith, you are so generous. This is such a nice gift to give someone. You finished this so fast. How do you do that?

Max is so cute. I wish I could talk Michael into letting me have one just like him. He is concerned about the fur in the house. Is it hard to keep clean? (Say no, LOL)

Rose Red said...

Catching up on lots of posts, so forgive me for not commenting on all of them (I got behind when we went away for a few days and am still working through the backlog!).
This is a lovely shawl for your MIL - wow, 95! That is a grand age. Happy birthday to her.