Sunday, July 29, 2018

Flower Shawl...........







It has been a very long time since I have had a project finish.  I'd like to introduce you to the Flower Shawl.   I know you have seen this pattern before, actually in 2011 I made two of them after my dear friend Teresa sent me the chart for the Japanese Flower pattern.  That was just when I was realizing how super special blogging friends can be, they send you a pattern just to help you out.  

I am going to weddings in August and November  I had another dress picked out to wear and then I saw this sleeveless dress at Dressbarn one day when dropping in to use up a few spare minutes between patients.  The moment I saw it I knew I had to have it.  It is sort of a light denim, embroidered, crinkle dress that is long, not something I usually wear as I am so tall.  But it fits and it was a great price so I bought it on the spot.  The thing is it needed some sort of wrap to make it comfortable in cool air conditioning.  Enter in this shawl.

I found this Appalachian U.S. Organic Cotton yarn when visiting my dear friend Lynda in North Carolina at Silver Threads & Golden Needles yarn shop.  While there I looked for only yarn that would work to make a shawl for this dress.  This cotton yarn is so soft and lovely, a beautiful gentle ecru color.  It feels a bit heavier than the sport weight it states on the yarn band, still it was perfect for this shawl.

I searched and searched Ravelry for crochet motif type shawls and have to say nothing struck my fancy.  So after much contemplation I decided that a big flower shawl would be perfect from my old stand by pattern.  I used a size J hook and added some length to the petals by adding more chains and stitches to the last two rows.  A total of 24 flowers were made, joining as I went along.  Eight flowers for the top row, seven for the middle and six for the bottom row.  After seeing I was rapidly running out of yarn I made a quick call to the shop to order two more skeins.  One would have been sufficient but crochet is a yarn suck as you know, it eats yarn at super rapid speeds.  I wanted to be sure I had enough before the store did not have any more skeins.  I used 3 3/4 skeins of yarn, approximately 725 yards.  The finished shawl measures 72 inches across by 18 inches wide.

So here it is the finished shawl and I have to say it feels just lovely to wrap around my shoulders.  I hope it doesn't look too crafty, like a beginner Girl Scout project.  Nothing against Girl Scouts, I was one myself.  You know what I mean.  I don't want to look like a hippy you know all flower power and everything like that.  Although we could all use a bit of peace and love right now that is for sure.  Let me know what you think, honestly what you think, don't fill my head with a lot of rubbish if I am going to look like a nut I want to know I am going to look like a nut.


I leave you with the stand off.  This was taken yesterday afternoon.  No barking occurred just lots of looking from both sides.  This is not the rogue deer of Friday's post, this is a new one that gratefully kept its distance.

Have a great week everyone.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

The dress is beautiful as is the shawl. You’ll look lovely. Loving all the puppy photos, their gorgeous. Jacqueline

Amy at love made my home said...

It is lovely and just right with your dress! Oh and being a "hippy chick" is a good thing in our house - that is what I am sometimes! xx

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

That wrap is perfect for that dress - beautiful and looks expensive not crafty.

Araignee said...

I think that shawl looks very elegant. Not at all flower power. Take my word for it because I still have my love beads and a Woodstock poster on the hall wall. Lol.

Karen said...

I am laughing, but no, I do not think you are going to look like a hippy OR a girl scout, I think it's lovely and fun! And it makes me want to get out some fabric or yarn and start making something. I tend to put everything away during the summer, but I'm getting the itch to create something. I like that the flowers are big and bold, and the color of the yarn makes it look pretty and lacy, but most of all the print on that dress really makes it work!

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Beautiful shawl! It will look fabulous with the dress!

Jenny said...

The shawl is beautiful and I love it with that dress. You'll look nothing but elegant.

Teresa Kasner said...

Mere.. that shawl is fabulous! It's the perfect accessory to that dress and to you! I do hope you share a photo of your beautiful self all dolled up for the wedding. And I don't think it will make you look too artsy, just super classy. I'm so happy I could be of help to send you the chart.. I need to get my flower shawl out and work on it some more.. I adore that pattern. The picture of your two fur boys checking out the deer and she in return looking at them is one heck of a capture! And that they did not bark is pretty amazing. Have a super week, my friend. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

CJ said...

It's lovely Meredith, and the dress too, they are perfect together. I like using favourite patterns as well, then I'm sure of the outcome. The colour is gorgeous, and I love that the yarn is organic. Laughing at that stand off. There would be LOT of barking if a deer wandered into our garden! Your boys are very brave I think. Wishing you a good week. What next on the crochet front? CJ xx

busybusybeejay said...

The shawl is stunning and looks as though it cost the earth!It goes so well with the dress.You will look gorgeous.Photos please.

Neighborhood Watch said...

I think your shawl is just great! I totally get what you mean about looking like a girl scout--haha. But this shawl has an "artsy" feel that makes it cool.

Chy said...

So beautiful Meredith. You're going to look great!

Love the standoff. The deer is sooooo close.

Have a great week!

X Chy

Anita said...

Oh I love that shawl!!!! It so goes with your dress, in fact it is one of those patterns that would look good mixed with casual or any! I bet you're pretty happy with the result and always nice to have a finish. I love the stand off! How funny is that! Have a beautiful week my friend. xx

kathy b said...

OH Meredith . That is the perfect shawl for the dress. I LOVE the dress. I guess I never knew you were tall! How tall are you? you are going to look so pretty!!!

Love the pooches and the deer. I love how light the dogs coats are staying.

HOpe you had a good weekend. Hope LIL buddy is back to his routine.



Anonymous said...

You have such GOOD boys .... not jumping at the screens or barking!!!

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Mere, the flower shawl looks nice with your dress. What wedding doesn't need flowers and you can wear it elsewhere as well! It's interesting that the deer appear at your house...glad the other one didn't get too agressive...a bit scary I'd say! I am feeling better. It is very hot outdoors right now at 6:50 p.m. 97 degrees. I guess we'll have to wait til it's near sunset to walk at all today! Take care!

Linda said...

Your shawl is beautiful! A perfect match for your dress.

Babajeza said...

I like it. The shawl looks good although I might not be a reference when it comes to clothes. ;-) And we are most certainly in need of peace. Hugs, Regula

Betsy said...

I think that shawl is fabulous and so is the dress. You will be stunning in both. I love blogland and the wonderful friends here that help and encourage each other. Like your pattern. Another great photo of the boys. Quite the standoff!
Blessings,
Betsy

mamasmercantile said...

A perfect match, the shawl looks wonderful with the dress and oozes class. What good boys not barking, they really are doing well. A great photot.

Between Me and You said...

Mer, you would still look gorgeous wearing a potato sack!!Your shawl is very beautiful and you will wear it so well.Beware of any roses you may have in your garden...a roe deer has eaten most of my boss's!xxx

Delighted Hands said...

The new shawl is beautiful! I love it with the darker dress; it really complements the outfit! The dogs and deer is a great photo!!

Christina said...

I love dress and shawl - bohemian comes to mind. You'll look wonderful!
Jack would drop dead with excitement if we had a deer in our garden... and there would be lots of barking, too. xx

Nance said...

Oh, I think it's Perfect. Well done. The textures will make it work beautifully. NOW SHOES! ;-)

karen said...

beautiful shawl!!! I love how it is so lacy and elegant for a dressed up celebration!!

Anonymous said...

wow.
not a girl scout nor a hippy in sight.
I love 'throwaway elegance.' elegance without trying hard.
you know. very European. or French.
like you have more important things to think about.
like if the sauce separates.
and you're right! the dress with it is perfection.
the shoes you choose will make it or break it! but you'll know.
watch how much champagne you drink though. you might put your arm
through the wrong flower. just sayin'. I mean it's something I would do.
and... the puppy deer standoff! LOLOL! how sweet does it get? :) XOXO

Anonymous said...

Great job. It is beautiful.
Marilyn

elns said...

The shawl looks great. I love how you show it styled like that! It really becomes apparel and not just a piece do you know what I mean? You have some great pairings there.

But also, how sweet is the photo of the brothers and the deer? hehe. too cute.

Jo said...

That is a great outfit. Just right. I would definitely wear it. Jo x

Anonymous said...

I love flowers and I love shawls so this is wonderful!!
Looks great with the dress!!
And wow, the photo with the deer... we only see deers in the distance if we are lucky!

Jo said...

What a beautiful shawl, it looks as though it was designed to go with the dress. It's good to have a go to pattern like this. Awww, it looks like the deer wants to make friends with Hank and Bear.

Lee said...

Oh my giddy aunt ( as we say in the UK )that is just Beautiful and no it does not look like a hippie make or girl scout.It's Beautiful you should be so proud of that.Don't think I could do it.Loving the dress,Stunning and you will look Stunning in your outfit.I adore that photo of the pups really cute,made me smile.What a wonderful sight to see out of the window.Hugs to all xxxx

Christine W said...

What a beautiful shawl! And that last picture is really nice 😉.

Una said...

You are going to get so many compliments and requests for shawls. I hope you are ready to make a few more! It isn't nutty or hippy. It is crafty in a good way, and what is wrong with crafty(?) though I think I know what you mean.

Judy S. said...

It's absolutely perfect with your dress; I love them both! You might even outshine the bride! Wish your 2 doggies would have been around when our local muncher "pruned" all of my plants.