Hi everyone. Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. Mine has been quiet. My husband is out of town visiting his Mother for her 95th birthday. He gave her the shawl I made for her and she loves it. I am so happy. She can use it to keep her tiny shoulders warm as the Wisconsin days start to cool off. My youngest son was gone all day yesterday with a friend, I swear I didn't quite know what to do with myself. Usually I have some big project going, clean all the grout on the bathroom floor, clean all the mold and mildew off the outside patio furniture, but this time I said no way. I spent my time reading blogs, going on Pinterest and Ravelry, catching up on shows I had recorded and playing with yarn.
As I recently have seemed to have lost all ability to knit and follow a pattern, I decided to crochet. I finished my third Elise Shawl. I obviously love this pattern as it is number three, and I have at least two more in my mind to create.
Number 3 was made from The Fiber Seed - Sprout yarn, 90% superwash Merino and 10% Nylon. I used all but 2 yards of the 480 yard skein, I love it when your project works out just perfectly. This is one of the lovely yarns my husband got me for Christmas last year.
I have been searching and searching for patterns for sock yarn. I love you sock knitters, but socks are not for me. I think the yarn works beautifully with this pattern.
The yarn is very soft and smooth to work with, and once steam blocked the softness really came out. It feels very silky. I used a size J hook for this and was really pleased with how the shawl expanded during my rag tag blocking session with the iron.
A sure sign that Fall is coming is when I see these beautiful berries start to ripen. I see them when on my walk with Max in the morning. So today I grabbed my camera and decided to take some photos for you. I love to see the berries gradually tuning from green to a deep, beautiful purple.
This plant is called the Purple Beautyberry, (Callicarpa dichotoma). It is an invasive plant originating in Korea. The berries appear in late Summer/Early Fall. As I read up on them they are prevalent in the South, and the berries can have a slight hallucinogenic affect if ingested. I am staying away from them even if they are not poisonous.
Max needed a bit of cooling off on the shower floor after our walk. High of 92 degrees here today, Fall may be on it's way, but I sure can't feel it yet.
Happy Sunday.
40 comments:
Well it's another beautiful shawl - and very timely as it matches the berries - a proper 'fall shawl'! Well done x Jane
The shawl is so beautiful. I think I want to make one too. I have to save up for nice yarn first but it's going on the list. Those berries are so pretty and they are almost the same color as the shawl! Happy birthday to your mother-in-law.
I feel for you in the heat...that's hot, we have been topping out at a unusual 30C lately...no snow in sight, lol.
Beautiful shawl, sigh..it's my one day adventure, one day Merideth...one day.
I'm so glad that you found the blog, readers are mentioning that it's showing up in bloglovin again, yah.
Jen
Poor Max! I know exactly how he feels. :) We are definitely not feeling Fall here. Love the shawl -- gorgeous color! I must try that pattern but I am really pattern illiterate. I just keep making dishcloths. Glad you are enjoying your quiet time. Tammy
Love, love, love all your pretty shawls. Gosh, you really do love that pattern and I can see why, too...it's very pretty.
Sock yarn is perfect for lace shawls....I am with you, not much into sock knitting either.
While your knitting MoJo is out and about, keep that hook flying...or you could always come join my SAL and cross stitch with us, too.
Hugs to sweet Max and blessings to you dear sweet friend
I can understand why you love that shawl pattern so much, it is beautiful, and the yarn you used is just soooooo right for it. What a lovely color! My husband wouldn't have had a clue about picking out yarn as a gift. It was always safer to just ask for a gift certificate to a place that sold yarn, lol. That Max, plum pooped out from that hot walk. I don't blame him for finding a nice place to cool off. Hope you have a great week.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)
I can see why you love that shawl pattern-it looks so comfy to wear too-beautiful! Love photos of Max giving him a pet and hug from me
Elise is lovely. Such a pretty color.
Beautyberry is one of my favorite plants, even if it is invasive. The berries are just so beautiful.
Poor Max . . . he wouldn't be very happy at our house today. I finally had my fill of being closed in. Since there was a nice breeze, we opened the windows. It's hot, but tolerable.
Gorgeous shawl! I didn't finish the shawl i was determined to finish today...my son's car had a flat and i had to find a tire place that was open on a Sunday and get him to work (found one...yea ha! ) I did the grocery shopping for the week and made beef stew and roasted a chicken. Its going to be a crazy week so I needed to have meals that were ready and just needed to be nuked. I am sitting down now to work on that shawl!!! :) Have a great week! :)
That's the best kind of weekend, Meredith just mooching around and doing as you please with no one else to worry about. Your shawl is gorgeous perfectly made and a beautiful colour, is it for yourself or for a gift. Please don't talk about socks, I have been trying and no sock should look the shape that my sock looks haha, if I ever finish the other one I will show everyone and give you all a laugh. Those berries are really pretty. :)
I'm snuggling under my 'Garter Squish' which is keeping the cold off my legs - yes, it's most definitely Autumnal here and not 'the last days of Summer' as some folks like to call it. I've just finished a Gargantuan project - 'Eagle Twist' - and was keen to get it off the needles, it was HUGE! I love all of your Elise's and this colour is fantastic for Autumn/Fall. Stay away from those berries, won't you?!Hugs to Max.x
It's very very beautiful!
That shawl is GORGEOUS! I'm glad you took it easy this weekend.. there is nothing better to restore your peace of mind. I have that pattern and when I get done with Caleb's blanket I might have to make one. I use my shawls like a scarf and love them. Hug Max for me. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Ah Meredith, there's nothing like a day to yourself to do with as you like, and I'm glad you relaxed and enjoyed it. Your MIL is going to so enjoy wearing her beautiful shawl, and this one you're working on now - well - I am so loving the colour, it's quite vibrant. I went so far as to get the pattern for 'Elise' but no suitable yarn as yet and besides,so many other projects happening too. I want more hours in the day, like most of us who craft and blog!
Poor Max does become affected by the heat but such a great place for him to hibernate to.
Those berries are such a gorgeous colour too - you're wise to not sample them but I wonder about children and the temptation of that colour with such plants! The mind boggles - as it would if you were tempted!!!
Warm hugs lovely!
Joy xo
Hi, glad you had a slow weekend, being able to some me time. Your shawl looks beautiful, better than the last one, but that may be because purple is my favourite colour.
The edging really stands out on this one.
Take care
Sally xxx
Oh, wow! That is gorgeous-gorgeous yarn! Love the color. You're going to keep at it until I have to make one myself! I've been working on another doily ALL DAY. Rain delay in the race has me sitting on my arse crocheting way more than I intended. (It's been oh-so-fun though!) I dug out a different pattern and yarn just to get that other debacle out of my head. I will definitely be making it with the tan and milk chocolate yarns when I do. I love the colors too. Hope you have a great week!
Girl, you are on a roll with all these scarves! Going this rate, you can open up your own little 'Meredith's Boutique'
Beautiful....just beautiful!
Max never fails to capture a beat of my heart. Oh that boy. His face is just like HUCKS was. White and worried.
So glad you had fun with your alone time. Nothing like knit/pinterest and crochet fun.
YOUR shawl is amazing . That deep wine color is so rich. IM sure your mother in law will have a warm heart wearing your shawl gift!
love your shawl pattern and the color!! Poor Max!! Funny how they know where it's cool.
Hi Meredith! Love your shawl!! Such a pretty color too!! Poor Max, he looks very hot and bothered!!!
XO Kris
Elise Sahawl number 3 is absolutely gorgeous! I loved the colour. I think I will start one for myself too...Hugs, GAia
I have such shawl envy! I love this Elise the most I think! If I wasn't STILL sewing up squares for my nephew's wedding blanket, I would be starting this now! Gorgeous.
What a beautiful colour you've used for your shawl, very autumny! I can't believe it's so hot there, hubby went camping last week but came back early as it was too wet and cold! xx
The shawl is perfetto! Beautiful colour. :-) Are aouc making a fourth one? ;-)
Your Elise shawls just get prettier and prettier if that is possible! I'm with you on the socks, Meredith... but I sure love sock weight/fingering yarns. ;) blessings ~ tanna
That yarn color is delicious, and so is the shawl. I can see why you want to keep making them. When the cooler weather shows up, you can start wearing them!
Such a beautiful shawl, Mer. I, unfortunately, haven't touched yarn in several months! Wonder when I'll get back to it?
That shawl is a work of art. Just gorgeous. The berries are very pretty too. Purple just happens to be my favorite color. My mittens are keeping my fingers bust right now so no crocheting in my immediate future. Yesterday we had temps of about 95 but a BIG storm rolled through last night with wind and rain. Today's high is only to be 60. Such a change and too drastic for me!
Blessings,
Betsy
That shawl is a work of art. Just gorgeous. The berries are very pretty too. Purple just happens to be my favorite color. My mittens are keeping my fingers bust right now so no crocheting in my immediate future. Yesterday we had temps of about 95 but a BIG storm rolled through last night with wind and rain. Today's high is only to be 60. Such a change and too drastic for me!
Blessings,
Betsy
I love your shawls the pattern and the plum colour of this one is gorgeous and a great colour match for those pretty berries. Glad to hear you had a nice weekend and special time just for you. Enjoy your week, dee x
That shawl is my favorite so far. The color is delicious! :)
such a gorgeous shawl - thank you for the ravelry link Meredith - will take this pattern away with me this week ♥
my parcel arrived xo {e-mail sent}
hugs to you & max from me & archer.
have a wonderful week.
What a beautiful shawl! I think it's a perfect use for sock yarn. I don't think I'd be much of a knitted sock fan in Florida, either. A gentleman last week told me "they" were predicting another cold, dry winter for us here, so by January I'll be living in all things wool, but it was 90 again on Sunday and I wouldn't even touch wool right now. So, I think shawls are just perfect!
That shawl is amazingly beautiful. And did I read correctly - yarn that your husband bought you for christmas? lucky you.
I really love the shawls you make, they are beautiful. I like the lovely, rich colour of this one.
Marianne x
Hello dear Meredith!
I am SO sorry I haven't taken the time to pop in and visit you here at Mereknits Towers! I am so very pleased I decided to come today because that SHAWL is truly beautiful! Do you find crochet easier than knitting? It's very strange because I've been having a terrible time folowing simple lace patterns these days, however hard I try to concentrate, but I put it down to a temporary state of tiredness. Anyway, the colour you chose is, I think, simply perfect for this season.
Warm hugs from France,
Stephanie
What a beautiful shawl! I can't crochet that well, but I'll definitely want to make that one!
Meredith, this shawl is beautiful. I too have, and I love the color. I been looking for patterns that use just the one skein of sock yarn to crochet, as my sister in law dyes it so beautifully. I think you've inspired me to try this pattern next.
xo
What a lovely autumnal colour that shawl is - and those beautyberries are simply amazing. I would like some beads that colour! :)
Hope Max is staying cool, and here's to come cooler weather for you all.
Somehow I missed seeing your latest beautiful work, Meredith, but love viewing it now!!! Thanks for sharing photos of it and the beautiful though toxic berries. Max reminds me of the hot summer day that my mom was surprised when she found me sitting fully clothed in the bathtub...but I am fairly certain it was the coolest place in the house :)
Gracie xx
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