Sunday, July 26, 2015

A Zick Zack Photo Finish......................

Oh Zick Zack Scarf/Shawl by Christy Kamm, I am in love with you.  I wasn't a few hours ago but I am now.  You are going to be a wonderful gift for my friend Sue, whose husband passed away just three short weeks ago.  I can't wait to wrap you around her shoulders and tell her that you are now represent a hug from me to her.  



You are gorgeous and I think you know it, but like all of us it took some work for you to reach this level of beauty.   Like all of us it takes a lot of work to get us out the door looking good, and you are no exception.


I actually swatched you early on and decided that you and your Noro Silk Garden loveliness were going to work perfectly with 72 stitches cast on and size 10 needles.  You fooled me into thinking you would be 16 inches across and you were for the first few inches.  But then something happened along the way,  I got tighter with my stitching, you started to curl up on yourself as you were rolling off the ball.  I do not blame you because I did unravel you from a previous project and did not take the time to wet you down and and get all your kinks out.  So what we had was a bit of a yarn fight, me constantly trying to untangle you, and you shrinking width-wise on me at a rapid rate.



I knew it was happening yet knit on in a total frenzy trying to get you done.  And like a novice knitter I did not remember the longer you make a project, the heavier it gets and thus pulls in on itself, losing the crucial width that was so desired.  I am so lucky that my dear friend is a tiny whip of a thing.  She is just over five feet tall and weighs as much as my thigh.   You will do well for her especially since this morning I spent about an hour steam blocking you to within an inch of your life.  I actually used an entire iron full of steam to get you to a width of 16 in. and a length of 75.  I was not trying for that extra length but I got it.  At one point you were only 12 in. wide so I think it was a victory for me and the iron.  


You started out as this project which I made years ago.  I loved it yet never wore it so I decided the Zick Zack would be perfect for you.  


I wrestled with you trying to pull you apart.  But I got there and even fixed a few of those annoying joins that Noro is so famous for while I was rolling you up into balls.  Look how fun you look all ready to go and become something new. 


Look how different you look using two alternating balls of yarn, the change is incredible.  


And here you are all finished and I am exhausted from all the steam blocking you needed to get to this point.  You are wide enough to be considered a shawl, which is what I was going for but actually could be used as a scarf, well if you were 5' 10" like me you could.  Anyway I thank you for the steam bath you gave my face this morning as I wrestled with you and blocked you into submission a proper size.  

Next time I make you oh you gorgeous Zick Zack, and if you know me there will be a next time, I will use bigger needles and add one more 12 stitch repeat.  Noro Silk Garden yarn, I still have a love/hate relationship with you, but you came from my stash and you look beautiful so I thank you for that.

I am so glad it all worked out between you and me, and I sure hope Sue loves you, because even though we had our differences a lot of love was put into you so she would feel it when she needs it.


And if she doesn't like you, you can always be a table runner. 

40 comments:

mamasmercantile said...

Such a lovely shawl, made with love for a dear friend. You should be on stage Meredith your descriptive writing always makes me smile.

Una said...

That is gorgeous. It makes me feel warm just looking at it.

Unknown said...

Oh Meredith...its stunning! She will love it. I don't know how you found time to finish it so quickly..you must not sleep much.

kathyinozarks said...

a masterpiece-really gorgeous Meredith I love the pattern and the yarns you used-you must feel so good about this one-hugs

Chris said...

GORGEOUS!! It's so beautiful and the colours are fantastic! Such a lovely gift for your friend. And you are a knitting demon my friend! Maybe you got a facial as an added bonus to all that steaming!!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Meredith, this is gorgeous. I'm sure she will love it and the warm hugs it represents! Beautiful in all ways.
hugs,
Linda

Teresa Kasner said...

Meredith, that is absolutely GORGEOUS! What a wonderful gift for your friend. You are the most thoughtful, loving and generous person ever. I know she'll love it and it will give her comfort.

By the way.. Dayle and I are thinking of you as we suffer the heat and humidity here in Missouri. We are not doing well with it. We can't wait to head back to Oregon!

((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Neighborhood Watch said...

So beautiful! I got some Noro Silk earlier this summer (haven't gotten to the intended project yet though). I hope it looks as good as this!
Also, catching up on your previous post. My eyes are frustrating me as well, and this extra "wisdom belt" that came and won't be going I guess unless I go on a hunger strike. Ah! The things we never thought a jot about when we were 21!

Lynne said...

Oh my goodness this is so pretty! Your friend is going to just love it, and you put so much love into it too! Beautiful pattern and beautiful yarn.

Janet said...

Great post. You certainly built up quite a relationship with this shawl. It's beautiful and a wonderfully thoughtful gift.

Debby said...

So beautiful.. What a special gift that will be. Thanks for stopping by. It's been a rough week but things are getting better.

Summer said...

how beautiful and such a wonderful gift for your friend! it will mean so much! bless your heart.

Pammy Sue said...

Ahhhhh...GORGEOUS!!! It could not be any prettier. Your friend will absolutely love it. It cannot help but bring her some comfort. You are a lovely friend to make it for her. It's so lovely.

Anonymous said...

LOL I seriously doubt that Zick-Zack will become a table runner. (You're so funny!) I know your friend will feel the deep love that went into every stitch and find comfort in it's beauty.

linda said...

It's stunning Meredith, well worth all the work you put into it, your friend is going to love it.:) xx

Hedy King said...

What a lovely gift for your friend, it's beautiful. And all that work you put in it make it more so. You share your sister's way with words, Meredith, I enjoy reading both you and Claudia so much. Thanks for sharing.

Bridget said...

Oh Meredith, lovely looking and such a lovely gift!

I too have issues with Noro yarns, but then once rinsed and blocked they are so lovely. Grr!

I hope your friend feels all of the love that went into this from you. She is lucky to have someone like you to think of her.

Caffeine Girl said...

That shawl is definitely a warm hug. I know that your friends will treasure it. It did come out beautifully, and I admire your determination to stick with it!

Re: your last post. You know I feel your pain with state politics! Walker is dismantling my beloved Wisconsin as fast as he can. So sad!

serendipity said...

Gorgeous! Your friend will love it. xx

Stins said...

What a beautiful gift of warmth and love and a bit of steam... ;-)
Those colors are so pretty together!
Hugs from Mirjam.

Helen said...

It's beautiful! I'm sure your friend will love it to pieces and gain much comfort and love from wearing it :) Well done for persevering, you have much more patience than me!! xo

Unknown said...

That.Is.Amazing!! I love it! The zick-zack pattern works much better for that wool I think, and I do believe your friend will love this gift! xx

Gillian said...

The shawl is very beautiful and I'm sure Sue will be delighted.

Pradeepa said...

GORGEOUS! The colours are just amazing!

Anonymous said...

Meredith! It is absolutely gorgeous! I believe your friend is going to love being wrapped up in such a caring and beautiful hug! The yarn is perfect because it has both subdued colors representing Sue's pain while in other places the shawl is filled with cheerful colors representing hope and strength to bring her out of the dark clouds she most surely is currently surrounded by. Amazing how color works miracles! As well as dear friends of course! :D
Hugs my dearest friend,
Beth

Betsy said...

Dear, sweet Meredith. I know your friend will absolutely love that beautiful, beautiful shawl. I just know she will feel your love surrounding her each time she wraps it around herself. I enjoyed reading your struggle with the yarn. It's kind of like life isn't it? We plod along, fixing little kinks along the way and hope that it will be beautiful and a gift for someone in the end. I love you for that Meredith.
Blessings,
Betsy

Amy at love made my home said...

A very beautiful virtual hug in every way possible!!! You are a true and real friend. Hugs. xx

kathy b said...

Mere

Timely! They have just started your ZickZach at my LYS. It is a shop project. They are only a few inches in but it looks great. On the shop blog I mentioned your increase in repeats. Thanks YOU did n't know you were helping me@

Ana BC said...

Gorgeous shawl, Meredith! I agree that it looks better by alternating colors. Your friend will love it ♥

Karen said...

Oh, Meredith, you do crack me up! I love this post. I love, love the shawl and have been wondering how it would be to knit. As I suspected, a lot of work went into it, and it was well worth it because it is just gorgeous. Your friend will love it:)

byhooks4u said...

This is just wonderful...I love the colors..and it does look like a warm hug. I am sure your friend will appreciate and love the gift. Awesome.

Judy S. said...

Beautiful! What a thoughtful gift. (Next time I have some misbehaving yarn, I am going to send it to you to whip into shape!)

Deb said...

absolutely gorgeous ~ love the colours and zig zag pattern.
I have so much catch up reading to do ... hope you are having a great day!

serendipity said...

Me again! Just wanted to say that when you comment on my blog it doesn't reach my email inbox along with the others. I've no idea why but thought I'd mention it in case it happens on others too. xx Debbie.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

Beautiful!

ellen said...

It is totally lovely and what is more important, it was made with love and intention. All of that goodness will wrap her up in comfort and solace for such a very, very difficult time. There are prayers stitched and love woven..it is good.
Love to you, E.

Mrs. Micawber said...

It's absolutely gorgeous, Mere, and I don't think there's much chance of it being a table runner. What a spectacular use of the Noro.

Wow, great blocking job too! You showed that yarn who's boss. :)

Hope your week is going well.

Mrs. Micawber said...

P.S. Read your last post too and oh how I can sympathise with so many of those issues!

Regarding body changes - what I always say is that this is the autumn of life, and everything's migrating. In fact the girls are headed permanently south for the winter.

We can grow cucumbers here, but they always taste bitter, so I've given up. Our tomatoes get spotted leaf mold every year, but they do bear a decent amount of fruit before they die a spotty death, so we just enjoy whatever we get. Don't give up on gardening.

andamento said...

It's absolutely beautiful. A very thoughtful gift for your friend, so kind of you, I'm sure she'll appreciate it.

Jo said...

Oh WOW! it came out so much bigger than I imagined, no wonder it was slow going. That is going to be one heaven of a hug. Jo x