Saturday, January 30, 2016

Is it a shawl or a table runner, and a gift.........

Here is a question I bet you don't hear very often, should this be a shawl or a table runner?   I am still undecided.  I just took this off my loom today and I have to tell you I am very much in love with this piece.  Remember my impulse yarn buying a while back, no not this weeks impulse buy but a few weeks ago?  This is the Interlacements Yarn purchase from my nearest yarn store in Dunedin Florida, Raspberries.  I am really growing to love this little store, it is quaint, and in a quaint little town, the owner is lovely and the yarn is delicious.   This message is for you GiGi Knits, I  do love this store it is worth the drive especially as you can visit lots of other fun shoppes too if you have the time, which I normally do not!


Here it is in shawl form, a very soft and lovely drape I'd say.  Not that I am tooting my own horn or anything.  It is 18 1/2 inches wide and 73 inches long.  Now that is fine for me because I am near 5'10 inches tall, although at my doctors appointment this week they had me at a solid 5' 9".  I wonder if I am shrinking?  But I was thinking of it for my SIL in Wisconsin who is short, I mean SHORT so keep that in mind as you are thinking about my initial question.



Here are two shots of it on my dining room table,  The top one with my light on and the bottom with it off.   It does look pretty nice.  We don't use this table frequently, well to pile something on for a day or two but not to eat at.  It could spice up this room a bit if I let it stay here.


This shawl/table runner took about 750 yards of yarn.  The Interlacements Soya 2 ply was the warp yarn, it is super thin and liked to tangle.  I was not impressed and probably would have shot myself in the head if I was using it to knit with.  It does make a sturdy warp thread so I can't completely be mad at it.  The other yarn with all the color, going back and forth is also from Interlacements, but I have no idea what the actual name of that yarn is as it was not on the skein, I only know it is the color, Grape Harvest.  I have plenty left over for a scarf or two to make with this beautiful yarn.  So put your thinking caps on and tell what you think this piece should be.


I have to give a shout out to my dear friend Susanne for sending me this lovely gift.  It arrived yesterday after being sent on January 16.  I think Susanne thought it was here, and it sure wasn't.  I wonder where it went in all of those days.  It traveled here from Ohio, really not that far from Florida is it?  Certainly not 13 days away!  I am loving this little present.  The birdhouse is completely intriguing to Little Buddy, he keeps asking me if it is real.  And the book is a perfect addition to my knitting book library.  Thank you so much for thinking of me Susanne, you are kind and thoughtful and of lets not forget generous.


Last but not least I finished my first Wendy Supreme cotton chunky scarf.  Size 13 needles made this the fastest knit ever.  I went with my go to drop stitch pattern that seems to be my favorite to use with beautiful yarn.  It helps the yarn go a long way and shows you the beauty of it more than a plain garter stitch scarf would.


I finished with one inch left, I am not kidding, one inch.  Now that is using up your yarn!

I am taking votes, shawl or table runner?

41 comments:

CJ said...

One inch left, that's impressive. Love the chunky scarf and the runner/shawl is gorgeous. I'd want to wear it if it was mine, so I'm voting shawl. You have been busy, you've inspired me to go and find my knitting right now. Wishing you and yours a good Sunday Meredith. CJ xx

Linda @ A La Carte said...

It is gorgeous either way you decide! You do such beautiful work!
hugs,
Linda

Karen said...

I'm going to vote shawl, also. I would love to be wrapped up in that beautiful, soft, gorgeousness. So, so pretty. I also like the other scarf, it looks so soft.

Janet said...

You've been very industrious. I vote for shawl, I'd want to wear it and show it off. Keep up the good work. Janet x

20 North Ora said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Regardless of how you use it, it is so beautiful.

Judy

Sandi said...

It's beautiful as a shawl, and spectacular on your table. I opt for the table runner.

Anita said...

I'd go for table runner. I think it looks fantastic against the table grain and the colours are out of this world. I feel that as a shawl, it could possibly do with some sort of lace or shell pattern around the edge to give it a softer look? You must be pleased with it either way though. Now that other scarf looks delish!!!! You've been busy with all your yummy projects.
Happy knitting.
Cheers, Anita.

Debby said...

Beautiful one way or another. In your weather wearing it would be perfect.

Teresa Kasner said...

I am voting for table runner because it will be on display more and seen more. And if you want to throw it on as a shawl for an outing here and there, you can! That way it will be enjoyed to the max. We all went to my older son's house for a homemade lasagna dinner and I was able to make a whole pink bootie while we visited. I will hopefully make the 2nd one tomorrow. Hope your weekend is relaxing for you. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Blondie's Journal said...

I really love your piece any way you want to use it, Mere. I have a lot of scarves and I often use them on my table and even draped on my sofa and chairs. Beautiful creations anywhere and that's the stuff you do!

Love your gifts from Susanne! The little birdhouse must be very intriguing for your little guy---I remember loving anything miniature when I was young. :)

Jane

Kris said...

Well, it looks beautiful as shawl and as a runner!! And the drop stitch scarf is beautiful!!
XO Kris

Willow said...

I have the perfect solution for you! Keep it and use it for a runner except when you want to wear it yourself as a shawl. THEN, weave a new smaller/shorter shawl for your sister-in-law. And if you have to return to that wonderful little yarn shop, well, it's a win-win situation!
PS: I'm totally impressed with the one inch of yarn left over!

Betsy said...

I think I would also vote for shawl although it looks lovely on your table Meredith. And that drop stitch scarf is beautiful too. I love to make scarves with ribbon yarn using the drop stitch pattern. It adds such an interesting texture to the scarf. What a lovely gifts for a lovely woman. You have so many friends all over the place Meredith, and we all love you.
Blessings, Betsy

Anita said...

If you had some lace or shell pattern on the edges I'd say shawl, but as it is I would
go for table runner. The colours are awesome and looks great across your table.
Cheers, Anita.

kathyinozarks said...

Good morning, Your handwoven piece is just lovely. I have a woven piece that I did years and years ago with the same dilema-I ended up using it both ways. I had also handsewn a lining fabric on the "back" side to make it a more elegant evening wrap, and then I also used it on the dining room table too. I had lined it just because the weave structure had very long yarn pieces on the back to make the design on the front.
I can see that little sheep in the book being made soon,
Happy Sunday
Kathy

Wainwright and Wright.Co said...

It is really beautiful Meredith, I love the colours. I am going to vote 'table runner', I wonder if for someone probably about my size, i.e. smaller than you, it might be a little too large. And it looks just so stunning on your table!
Caz xx

Homemade Heathers said...

I absolutely love it on your table! It's perfect. Why not both table runner and shawl? I always enjoy your posts. -Heather

Unknown said...

Totally impressed with the weaving and knitting....when do you work? I never know what to do with the little weaving I do. Someone in my weaving group had the book Weave Knit Wear and it has great ideas...now I just need to do them. Right now I keep eyeing that scarf and think I need one. I love the colors on the scarf/tablerunner.
Love you,
Eileen

Lynne said...

I agree with Willow above. Keep it for yourself as either/or. Then make a shorter version to give away. It's beautiful Meredith.
And your scarf. I just love it! That yarn was the perfect choice for the pattern, right down to the last inch :)

kathy b said...

hee hee Table Runner. You get to see it everyday in its glory!

Jo said...

1" left is fantastic - I love it when that happens, bet you were worried though! I love all of your scarves of late but I feel the loom piece should be a table runner to keep it flat and let it have as longer life as possible. Jo x

Unknown said...

I don't think I could pick one as it so beautiful either way!

Amy at love made my home said...

It makes a beautiful table runner, but I should think that it is wonderful to have wrapped around you, who could choose! You need another one so you can do both! Love your new scarf too! xx

karen said...

STUNNING!!!

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

Shawl, shawl, it looks so beautiful it needs showing off. Your scarf is lovely too xx

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

I say use it for what ever it is that makes your heart sing. It's lovely. :) ((hugs)) sweet friend.

Joyful said...

I would say a shawl but because your dear SIL is so short, I think it will be far too long on her. It makes a gorgeous table runner too!

Caffeine Girl said...

I am just glad I don't have to decide! I guess I'd say to use the way you'll get the most enjoyment from it.

And I love that chunky cotton scarf!

Sandra said...

One inch left!!! You are a wonder woman. LOL
I vote for a table runner. It really show off the beautiful wood in your table. And laying it out diagonally really makes it a focal point.
:)
You do such quality projects...

HollyM said...

Well, the table runner/shawl is gorgeous! I'm. Wondering if it might be too long for a shorter person, but would sure hate to deprive anyone of such a lovely gift! I'd also be loathe to give it away, it's so pretty on your table! No help am I?

gigi knits said...

I think it looks beautiful on your table. Your scarf is also Beautiful .
Think I will go over to Rasberries one day this next . Now that the rain has stopped.

Lucie said...

Bonjour Mereknits,

You do beautiful works! Bravo!

Lucie

Ingrid K. said...

Hello Mere,

Wow, I love all your recent projects: baby blanket, 2 recent scarves and now this!

I think it looks great either way, that is the beauty of it!
The recipient can choose what she would like to use it for.
However, if you wanted to keep it for your own table - it sure looks perfect there!
And you could always make another as a shawl gift?

(sorry if that doesn't help!)

Andrea Ostapovitch said...

I'm not going to be any help by saying, "Why not both"? I have a beautiful wrap that I have used as a table clover and even as a tree skirt. It didn't change my opinion of it as a wrap.
That is beautiful work Meredith!
Have a wonderful week!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I can't believe you actually wove that. It's amazing! I actually have shawls that have been gifted to me that I use for table or chair covers. Love the gray scarf. Really pretty pattern.

linda said...

It's beautiful Meredith and should be continuously on display so I'm saying tablerunner now you need to buy more yarn and make another one to use as a shawl, it certainly didn't take you long and that scarf is fabulous I bet you had your fingers crossed hoping that here would be enough to finish it. Have a great week. :) xx

Gracie Saylor said...

Table runner is my vote. [If you want to snatch it up and use it as a shawl you can, but your SIL might be happier with a shorter shawl] I bet the cotton yarn feels wonderful as a pretty scarf! I admire your work, Meredith! xx

Vera said...

Oh Meredith! What a gorgeous work of art. I would use it as both...but if I have to pick one, I would say shawl. Fabulous!!!

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Wow Meredith you sure do ask difficult questions!!! First of all it is stunning and would be great as a runner or shawl but I vote runner because it is just so stunning to look at all the time! BUT you can't go wrong either way! Hope you are well. xoxoRobin

Heldasland said...

It is a piece of art and definitely needs to be worn so it can be admired.
I love that you said your impulse yarn buy weeks ago not this weeks impulse buy. Every time I visit your blog I simply must buy some more yarn .You are wonderful and I have just written a post about it. You inspire me and you naughty lady make me buy yarn hehe .
Hugs

mamasmercantile said...

I too am short and a large shawl can swamp you so I am going to vote for the table runner. It is such a stunning yarn with its beautiful colours.