Is it Mine?

Have you ever made something for yourself and things turn out differently than you thought?
You pick the pattern, the perfect yarn, make swatches and more swatches to get the perfect gauge. You cast on and knit, and knit, and knit. You love the look of the yarn, and the feel of the yarn. You watch your project grow and mature. You enjoy the challenge of the project and love the parts that are simple and just let you knit without thinking. All the time you are knitting you are thinking how wonderful this project is for you. But suddenly you cast off and some thing happens. This project is not yours after all. It has been made the entire time for someone else. Once that thought is in your head you can't even fathom that you had any intention of ever
keeping it for yourself.

I finished this beautiful shawl today. The colors are amazing, much darker than the picture indicates. The yarn is Soft Twisted Rayon by Blue Heron Yarns. I picked this yarn up a year ago and finally found the perfect fit for it. I used Addi Turbo Lace needles in a size 9. Can I tell you how much I am in love with those needles? The are worth every penny. They make lace knitting (which I do have a bit of trouble with) so much easier. Oops, I went a little of track. The pattern is by Designer Amy Polcyn and was published in Knit 'N Style, June 2009.

This shawl now belongs to my niece Elizabeth although she doesn't know it yet. We are going to visit her family in Amsterdam in a few weeks. All she asked me to bring her was, "real" Saran Wrap and Chap Stik. I think she will be pleased when she gets a lace shawl that was meant for her all along.

Sorry about the picture quality, but they are better than nothing.