My last project of 2013, The Never Ending Ruffle Shawl made with Prime Alpaca in Mist Gray, and a dabbling of Malabrigo Rastita in Dewberry, left over from a Christmas Elise Shawl.
The pattern is my own, although there are a humongous amount of ruffle shawl patterns out there on Ravelry. The purple was an addition as I ran out of yarn, and it couldn't have worked out better if you ask me. I believe about 750 yards of yarn was used to make this beauty, not a bad way to end 2013 and to help my yarn tally reach epic levels.
This ruffle almost killed me. As I was casting off I decided to count the stitches, just for fun. 1,272 stitches!!!! Yes I typed that out correctly, 1,272 stitches, no wonder it took me 50 minutes to knit a row!
I wanted a simple garter stitch shawl with a smooth stockinette ruffle. I wanted the texture of the shawl to be a contrast to the smooth ruffle. The added color is a bonus. I tried green, pink and a darker gray, but I settled on this purple as it is just vibrant enough to add fun but not detract from the overall shawl.
Let me tell you it is yummy and oh, so, cozy. I am a bit in love with it! And since the temps are dipping here in Florida, it got finished just in time for cooler weather.
In the mail on Monday arrived a lovely little box just for me. I knew it was coming, but what could it be? My dear, dear friend Susanne, from Forget-Me-Not sent me this adorable sheep mug. Can you believe the generosity of blogging friends? She saw this mug and thought of me. Can you even imagine why? Is it the lovely green that matches my blog or the sheep!!!!! Well we know I am all a bit crazy about sheep. I simply love it and I love that fact that Susanne, who lives all the way over in Ohio thought of me and sent this my way.
Susanne is such a loving friend, Mother, and Grandmother to sweet Holden. She has had a tough year, but tries to make the best of everyday with her great sense of humor. You have to stop by her blog and see her beautiful crochet creations and visit her darling grandson whose curls will make you smile. You might want to pop in soon as Susanne can do with some cheering up, she is covered in snow and frigid temps right now, and she is soon to have a giveaway. Grab some tea or coffee and pop in and say hello to Susanne, I know you will be there a while catching up and gaining a new friend.
Speaking of giveaways, if you are interested in mine, leave a comment on my last post. I am picking a name out of the basket on Tuesday. Good luck and Happy Saturday.
53 comments:
GORGEOUS!! And, it look so very, very soft and snuggly!! Beautiful, Meredith! Yes, the cold is here already! You have finished in good time. Love the purple trim, too!
That mug is perfect for you! Such sweet friends in the blogging world. Just gotta love that!
Stay warm. blessings ~ tanna
Your shawl is very pretty and elegant. Very sweet of Susanne to send you the mug. Thanks for the link to her blog. Have a great Saturday. Heather
Meredith! That is gorrrr-geous! I can well imagine that the ruffle was a beyotch! lots and lots of stitches there. And Susanne...she is a doll! I just adore her being...I only wish we all lived closer! Oh, the lovelies we meet in the land of blog!
Very nice work on the shawl! The mug is awesome. I have a theory that tea tastes better when you drink it out of a mug with sheep on it. :-)
Lovely shawl and amazing ruffles with the purple!! Alpaca yarn must be nice to knit with! Lovely and warm!!! Sweet sheep mug!! Blogger friends ARE the greatest!
Happy Saturday Meredith, your shawl is utterly beautiful and I love the little flash of purple too. The mug is lovely and I am heading off to see Susanne now to. Have a good day.
Meredith... As soon as I saw that shawl I thought " how many stitches are in that " it is amazing. I am at present turning 1 sock into a wrist warmer .... No contest then!
And I am so glad you are getting so much woolly,sheep love. What a wonderful start to 2014.
I'm a sucker for a shawl with a ruffle, and that purple really finishes it off. I can't imagine knitting 1272 stitches of anything, so this is amazing to me. I'm off to visit Susanne.
This shawl is stunning. You can wear it while shoppings. I always freeze to death in a shopping mall in the States and take a jacket with me. Or wear it in a restaurant. There you can sit next to the air condition.
What an epic knit Meredith, my goodness it looks like it was well worth it in the end and I love the way the purple pops out against the grey, stunning! xox
I love, love, love the shawl. The touch of purple elevates it from beautiful to stunning!
I love your shawl Meredith, and the purple is perfect-love it with the gray.
your sheep mug is just too sweet! How thoughtful of your friend-hugs
Oh my! That shawl is stupendous! And isn't the Dewberry colourway stunning? It adds just enough dazzle to this stunning shawl.
Happy New Year to you, dear Meredith! May 2014 be filled with laughter, hope, peace and plenty of knitting, obviously!
Stephanie
Meredith.. that shawl is quite simply exquisite! That extra pop of color at the edge of the ruffle is brilliant! How nice of Susanne to send you that adorable mug.. I am sure you'll put it to good use. Enjoy your weekend!!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Your shawl is absolutely gorgeous, well done. I have a cowl in progress using grey alpaca, so I know how gorgeously soft your shawl will be xxx
The shawl came out beautifully. That purple is just PERFECT! I loved how soft the grey yarn was.
So ....wrap yourself up in ruffles and enjoy a nice mug of tea in your new sheepie mug.
So, so pretty! I am a sucker for gray lately :) The purple at the edge really finishes it off beautifully! Started a shawl last night, so far i like how the colors are working up in it... maybe this one will survive a rip-out! :)
Your shawl is sooo gorgeous and colours are just perfect.
Clare x
Well done you clever thing Meredith your shawl is so beautiful, 1272 stitches! it would have taken me forever, but the finished result makes it worthwhile I'm sure. I love your mug it's perfect. :)
I love the shawl, it looks so deliciously cosy. Shawls and scarves are my favourites at the moment. I'm planning on making one soon. The mug is lovely, just perfect for you I think! CJ xx
Your shawl is absolutely gorgeous Mere! The plumy purple on the edge is the crowning touch. I adore ruffles, but truly am scared of them. :) You know, it is wonderful to have such friends who think of you that way, a great friend is a treasure even more than the gift. :) Hope you have a fantastic weekend.
I could make that shaWL. I LOVE MILES AND MILES of garter. Putting it on my to make /knit list
Send me your notes for the shawl sometime???
Oh Mere, this shawl is so pretty...so cozy and warm looking...so perfect...it's you! I just love that it's your own pattern. You are so very talented my dear friend.
Blessings always
Meredith you are so talented! This shawl is so pretty and the purple was the perfect edging for it! Gorgeous!
Hugs, Patti
Love it! The touch of purple is just perfect. Great color combo.
Happy new year to you!!
-beth
Simply beautiful shawl, Mere. The colors are perfect! Enjoy your cutie-cute mug.
:)
It's gorgeous Meredith! wonderful beautiful work!
Glad to hear the cooler weather finally reached your neighborhood....it's been dark gray and freezing here since before Christmas!
xx Shari
So glad you got the mug. I did send you an email, so I will skip right to your shawl and tell you that it is one lovely piece of work, so many stitches and it looks warm. You are putting me to shame with your knitting. I am so slow compared to you. We will be needing plenty of warmth these next few days. More snow and temps down to anywhere from 20 to 40 degrees BELOW ZERO!!!!! Makes me think I should have bought some long johns. Thank you for the heads up telling your followers about my blog. I did gain a few more people. It was really kind of you.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)
Meredith, your shawl is absolutely stunning. You have much patience to knit so many stitches , but oh my goodness! It was well worth the effort wasn't it? The color on the ruffle is just perfect.
I adore your sheep mug. Is it any wonder that people like to give you gifts? You are such a sweet person.
Blessings my friend,
Betsy
What a beautiful, gorgeous shawl... You did a wonderful job my dear friend. And what a great gift for such a wonderful person ! What a cute and generous gift you, and we know you deserve it. :) you are so wonderful and generous yourself !
wow, this shawl is a beauty! All those stitches - I don't think I would have the patience!
And your mug is lovely, I'm sure you will enjoy using it!
Helenxx
So pretty! The shawl is stunning.
It looks like it would have had a lot of work put into it. Love the muted colours too.
Cool mug sure you will enjoy a nice tea or coffee from that xx
You've certainly finished the year with a bang, just when I think your shawls can't get any lovelier you produce this,
It's amazing, truly beautiful work.
Hugs
Sally xxx
Oh wow, Meredith - your shawl is just too gorgeous. And it looks so snuggly and warm too. The purple was a good choice, it's perfect - well done you!
Going to pop over and have a wee cuppa tea with Susanne now too - that mug is adorable.
Happy Sunday,
Xx
Wowwww the shawl is amazing beautiful
Love
Marjo
I LOVE this post as always. The shawl is breathtaking, my dear fiend, and that mug is perfect for you! What a sweet friend.
Happy New Year Meredith! The shawl is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!! Love the colors and it does look so soft. How sweet of Susanne to send you the mug. You wouldn't happen to have a thing for sheep, now would you? :) Best wishes, Tammy
WOW!!! I think the shawl is stunning, too, Meredith!!! I just read somewhere that gray is "the color" for this coming year in the yarny world. And the purple ending the ruffle is perfect. Bravo!
I love the mug Susanne sent to you, too, and will try to go visit her blog soon.
I did a row of Continental style knitting on a blanket last night, and am encouraged that it is starting to feel a little more normal than throwing the yarn over the needle :)
Hugs to you xxxxx
The shawl is wonderful! The purple adds just the right amount of color for a highlight without being distracting. Nice!
What a gorgeous shawl. It's really beautiful and I love the bit of purple, so pretty. The mug is a wonderful surprise, such a nice gesture from Suzanne.
The purple is just perfect! I think I willleave the long rows to you, it would send me into insanity I think! Crochet is one thing but not knitting....I bet that is very huggable when its on.
Love your mug, how thoughtful!
I LOVE your shawl! The design is great and I think that strip of purple at the bottom took it over the edge from beautiful to gorgeous! Congratulations! That's a LOT of stitches!
Your new mug is really cute!
That's so gorgeous...what a creative knitter you are.
Jen
Wow, Mere, it is absolutely perfect. Texture, colour, everything balances and looks simply fantastic. And I LOVE the pop of purple! You ARE a designer you know....
:D
P.S. Adorable mug. I will pop over to see Susanne soon.
love your shawl ... your own pattern! you are so talented Meredith.
the mug from Suzanne is adorable ♥
Your shawl is DIVINE! The ruffle part was definitely worth it. And the blue border gives it a very special touch. Beautiful!!!
The shawl is gorgeous! But I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything when I read your final stitch count. (insert spitting here, that's CRAZY. I think the purple contrast makes it even better! I love that mug from Suzanne. Happy Knitting Mere, always a good visit.
It's stunning Mere ... what a fab knit! And yes, I can just imagine snuggling into it and being cosy :)
Wishing you warm woolly days my friend, as you snuggle up in the cold weather and sip something hot from your lovely new mug :)
That's beautiful - love the purple trim.
This is so beautiful Meredith! you are so talented!
Lisa :)
I am in love with that shawl! I really have to take my knitting to another level. That sheep mug is ridiculously cute! What a great friend!
Andrea
That is a gorgeous shawl. The ruffle really makes it, and the purple edge is perfect! Meant to be!
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