Friday, August 23, 2013

Elise Shawl number 1, and this and that

My name is Meredith and I have a problem, well I have a lot of problems but this one has to do with my obsession with the Elise Shawl.  I am completely and utterly obsessed with this pattern.  It is fast, and beautiful, and I am in love.


I finished this shawl in just four days, four days that I was working a lot, so it is a very fast crochet project.
 

I took these pictures yesterday during a big thunderstorm so they are a bit dark.  I just couldn't wait to show you.  The yarn is much more bright in person, it is a beautiful emerald green.
 

This is the shawl unblocked.  At the widest point (top to bottom) it measured 20", when blocked it measures 28".  Perfect I'd say.
 

As for blocking I am not so hot at it.  I'd much rather us my iron and a bit of steam, then give things a bath and pin them all out.  I think my points would be pointier if I had, but I didn't want to waste the time because I had to start another one right away.  Who wants to be blocking and pinning when they can be crocheting?
 

This was made with Buggga! yarn by The Verdant Gryphon.  It is70% superwash merino, 20 % cashmere and 10% nylon sport weight yarn.   I used a size J crochet hook but actually think I could have used a K.


This yarn was gifted to me by a friend, how nice was that?  Sean are you reading this?  I bet you are rethinking giving me this beautiful yarn!

Onto other bits.......

Did you know that the Countess of Carnarvon has a blog?  She lives in Highclere Castle featured in Downton Abbey.   Her blog can be found at Lady Carnarvon, it looks like it is going to be very interesting to read.

I have recently ordered a few knitting things from Eat. Sleep. Knit., a lovely yarn store located in Georgia.  They were so lovely and quick with my order, I think you should pop by and add them to your list of favorite online yarn stores.  They have some Harmony Knitting Needles on sale right now and they are gorgeous (I bought several sizes)  I love the pointy tips, just perfect for picking up stitches, and the wood is so beautiful and smooth.  The Bugga! yarn was from Eat. Sleep. Knit, so you can find it there.

I finished reading The Yonhlossee Riding Camp for Girls, and I have to say I was a bit disappointed.  It got such a wonderful write up in our paper so I was surprised, if you can't really connect with the main character you have trouble is all I am saying.  It was very well written, but I was disappointed.  Teresa, you were right on this one, she wasn't that thrilled either.  

Now I am reading The Light Between Oceans, another great review in our paper and by blog friends.  I'll let you know what I think when I am done.

Friday's are now going to be my favorite day of the week.  I am working more Mondays-Thursdays so I can have Friday off.  A whole day to get things done before the weekend, I think I am going to love this.  

Hope you are loving your Friday.

41 comments:

Elizabeth said...

I love this shawl! It is beautiful!

Sharron said...

I am definitely loving my Friday after reading your wonderful post Meredith! Your shawl is superb, and I can see why you'd be anxious to do more! Enjoy the weekend x

Dr. Cindy Fleming said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Suzan said...

Meredith,
Your shawl is beautiful. I love the crochet pattern and color of the yarn. It looks Victorian and hangs nicely. I must learn to crochet!!!
(Please excuse the deleted comment above - I was still signed in with my school name)

Jennifer Hays said...

Your shawl is so beautiful. I have seen these popping up on blogs and they are just incredibly. Also, let's just say I have a special affinity for the name (it's shared by someone I use a pseudonym for on my blog...). :)

kathyinozarks said...

I agree with everyone so far-your shawl is lovely and gorgeous; love the way it drapes over the shoulders and hangs-I can see christmas gifts in the works for you with this lovely pattern-enjoy your day

Lillie and Moss said...

Again....BEAUTIFUL! God sure gave you a true talent!!!! Maybe now since you have Fridays off we can plan a day of just us girls taking and laughing and shopping and eating and you can teach me how to knit like that.....Now if only I lived closer to you!
Hugs, Shari

kathy b said...

Mere

your shawl is gorgeous. The color is rich and deep. The craftwork is perfect.

Im still reading the Jefferson book on Sally Hemings...its going to be a while.

As for Fridays off HOORAY!

And Oh, by the way, I LOVE your steam and place blocking method.. Maybe I'll be blocking something soon!

Pammy Sue said...

Your Elise shawl is soooo pretty! I've seen that pattern and a lot others people have made on Ravelry. That green is gorgeous. I usually take Friday's off too unless something dire comes up. It makes the weekend long enough to recover. Enjoy your day off!

Debbie said...

Your shawl is really pretty and the color is perfect for Fall!

Betsy said...

Hi Meredith!

I had to laugh when you said that you would much rather be crocheting than pinning and blocking. I SO agree. I mutter to myself the entire time I'm blocking something because I just want to get on with my next project. :-)

Since both Hubby and I love Downton Abbey I appreciate your link and I'll be checking out her blog.

Enjoy your Fridays. It's so nice to have an extra day, just for ourselves. Yeah! Yarny playtime!

Blessings,
Betsy

Bridget said...

What a beautiful, beautiful shawl! Love the color as well.

I am now off to investigate some of the links you provided.

Have a good weekend!

Unknown said...

Beautiful!!! I love the color and how open it is. This is a great pattern. You must be loving having fridays off. More time for yourself to hopefully do what you want to do.

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Very lovely! I don't like to block either! Have a nice weekend! Twyla

ColourMeCrochet said...

I,m definitely loving your shawl Meredith. I am really into wraps and shawls, having made 3 and now on my 4th with my cob webby yarn.
But yours looks so intricate and lacey. Would love to have a go at making it. Do you know if it is DK, 4ply or cob webby yarn.

And yes I'm loving Friday, Abby has gone in to hospital so bubba may be arriving sometime over the weekend.

Have a lovely weekend.

Sally xxx

Pooch said...

Gorgeous shawl!! Love the yarn too! What a pretty color.

:)

Olga Poltava said...

Meredith, your shawl is GORGEOUS! Cashmere and merino wool blend must be very soft and nice to touch. The color is perfect too! And, of course, I love the design as open and lacy crochet is always my favorite.
Thank you for your kind comment on my recent post.
Have a wonderful weekend!

sweetpea family said...

your shawl is beautiful I have never made a shawl so another thing has been added to my list - glad you love fridays and hope your weekend is fun too x

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh I love this shawl! The yarn color is just yummy!

Heading to the links to see what's on sale and read the Downton Abbey blog thing...I really am going to write a Downton Abbey type of story soon...I just it!

Hugs and blessings always sweet friend.

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh I love this shawl! The yarn color is just yummy!

Heading to the links to see what's on sale and read the Downton Abbey blog thing...I really am going to write a Downton Abbey type of story soon...I just it!

Hugs and blessings always sweet friend.

honeycat said...

Hi Meredith,
I can see why you have an obsession with this pattern as its so beautiful. I looked it up on raverly and the pattern is perfect. I can see me hooking a few of these for Christmas presents. I love the colour of the yarn you used also.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
Melanie x

Unknown said...

Wow 4 days that is amazing I love it and the colour its so delicate and pretty. Have a wonderful weekend, hugs, dee x

Petunia Pill said...

The first step in recovery is admitting the problem. But, woman! What are you doing admitting it? Who wants recovery? Yarn on! Admit to NOTHING! Do you hear me? Your name is Meredith and you are making beautiful things with barely enough time to work, keep a house running, be a Mom, take care of the dog, care for all those in need around you and eat and sleep. Sounds like it's all good to me. And that is ONE BEAUTIFUL piece of work! I love shawls but I never wear them - nor do I know anyone who will! I made the Quite Contrary shawl and I swear I'm going to wear it before the weather here turns too cold! And that is a short period of time...we go from summer to winter in the blink of an eye! Sending hugs. Annette And remember...admit NOTHING!

Ana BC said...

beautiful shawl! the color is so lovley and unique ♥ Ana BC

Teresa Kasner said...

I ***LOVE*** that shawl! I am going to have to find the pattern. I use my shawls as drape-y scarves and never fail to get compliments on the two I've made. I want to try that design. I have to finish that darned Bear #6 before I can throw myself into a new project. I have some "Shari-style" cotton and want to make a big granny blanket. Thanks for the castle link.. we've watched the show about them and their amazing home. And thanks for the link -- I'm currently reading Sacajewea and I'm having a hard time going back as that poor girl was beaten and tortured so much. Ugh. Let me know how the new book is! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

linda said...

It's beautiful Meredith,I love it and the colours are lovely, you are addicted to making shawls and I'm addicted to making owls it gets us all one way or another, but I think it's a nice addiction to have. How lovely having Fridays off, a nice long weekend, hope yours is a good one! :)

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Dear Meredith, I am back at least for a wee bit. vbg I need to catch up with you have been doing this Summer.. I love Elsie Shawl..To me it looks very very challenging to make... I have not read a book all Summer.. I miss this too along with stitching and crocheting... I hope you and Max is well.. Miss Ya. Hugs Judy

Lynne said...

I LOVE it! I've had this pattern bookmarked but haven't gotten around to making it yet. After seeing yours, I really want to get going on one. It turned out really pretty. Have a great weekend.
Lynne

RURAL said...

And I thought I was in love with the last shawl...this one also takes me heart away...I must learn how to do this.

Countess of C has a blog, delightful...going to find it now.

And I read the Riding camp book also...I did kind of like it, didn't think it was that much of a shocker even when they alluded to the subject...it was merely OK...then ending was rather insipid.

Jen

Mrs. Micawber said...

Good grief, Meredith, you are FAST! How do you crank these things out so quickly? It's gorgeous - lovely yarn, and that pattern is so perfect, it makes me wish I had designed it. :)

It's wonderful to have Fridays off (I do too). It gives such a good start to the weekend. I imagine you'll be producing even more beautiful things with all that time on your hands....

gaia said...

Wow! you are so fast to finish a shawl in just four days! Congrats! It is lovely.... GAia.

moonstruckcreations said...

This shawl is stunning. I have never made one, but looking at this makes me want to try! Where can I find the pattern?

Have a great weekend!

Helenxx

Annie Cholewa said...

Oh! Your shawl is perfection!!

And hurrah that you've arranged your working week to be four more intense days and one day off ... I used to do that and it's so rewarding.

Joy said...

Your latest shawl is stunningly beautiful Meredith - what a lovely rich colour!
Lovely for you that you've managed to get your workdays sorted to enable easy weekends at home and I do hope this one is going really well!
Joy xo

Marjo said...

It is beautiful!!

I made it a while ago,I also love to crochet it

Love
Marjo

Susanne Tyree said...

Oh sweetie, the shawl is beautiful! Love the color too. I have made several shawls, but never seem to wear any of them. The shawl I got from you I wore like a scarf around my neck, tied lightly in the front. It was worn at my husband's memorial. The lovely gray with sequins looked so nice with the black I wore (yeah, I still believe in black at funerals). I think it is great you taking Fridays as part of your weekends. You will love it! My oldest daughter does that too. I have plenty of books to read, but right now can't seem to find the time to sit still that long. If I read at night it puts me to sleep. For insomnia I recommend it, lol. Have a great weekend.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Tanna said...

Meredith, this shawl is gorgeous!!! LOVE the color and that Bugga looks awfully delicious!! Well done!! blessings ~ tanna

Pradeepa said...

The shawl is gorgeous, Meredith. I have already seen it on the internet and loved it. I would love to make one for myself but I don't have the suitable yarn right now, so I'll have to wait.

Faeryfay said...

I love your shawl! Beautiful colour!

Rose Red said...

Oh! Finished already! It is beautiful! And I have some Bugga in my stash...

Liz said...

Meredith,

The shawl and yarn you chose are beautiful. I love the pattern too...it's so fast, great for quick gifts. I'll probably make another sometime this fall.