We did have a good Easter break, I hope you did too. We saw family and friends, had days out, a posh lunch and a fiftieth wedding anniversary party. Toby really enjoyed his few days of respite over the 2 weeks and with him out of the house having fun I even had some time to knit. There was of course some bunny knitting but I also had the urge to work on something new.
I've really been missing having a one a day project on the go, a simple and uncomplicated something to slowly nurture in the quiet moments at the end of each day. I have been pondering crochet projects and I did make a tentative start on a cushion but I'm not finding crochet satisfying at the moment and I think I'm back in knit mode again. I sat for a while browsing on ravelry and flickr, musing through favourited projects and it occurred to me that although I've favourited lots of shawls I have never actually made one, so I think a shawl may be just the thing to fit the bill for my next one-a-day project.
I have picked out a pattern; Whippoorwill by Carina Spencer, my needles are primed and my chosen yarn has just arrived…
I've opted for Koigu's Painters Palette yarn in 'stone mix' and 'dark khaki'. Though I love the natural tones in both of these colourways, I'm not sure if this combination will work out so I also have some Madeline Tosh sock yarn which will play understudy to the khaki and step in if it's a little discordant. In view of the colours I think I shall call this project the 'Old Mossy Wall Shawl'.
I've wound my first skein and I'm all set. To begin with I'll work a few rows a day but once I'm on the long edge it will definitely be one a day – I'm not especially looking forward to those 300+ stitch rows!
little cotton rabbits 
I’m just about to start that too. Hadn’t thought about doing a bit everyday. Think I might find that helpful. Love the beautiful colours of the yarn. Hope it works out! X
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I came here straight from Ravelry as I had just spotted your delicious yarn. 🙂
‘Old Mossy Wall Shawl’ is a great name for your project, the colours are lovely! Looking forward to seeing it progress.
So glad you had a lovely Easter! 🙂
Vivienne x
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What a lovely project I love the colours i’m all in favour of mossy neutrals understaded and elgant.
glad you enjoyed your Easter and Toby with his respite.
I’m itching to learn to knit I’ve admired your bunnies for quite a while now. One day I hope to make a little cotton bunny of my very own.
happy knitting. Safia @ Honey.Bumble x
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I too look forward to those little projects to “nurture” in the quiet hours of the evening. Good luck and good knitting to you!
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Oh those are fabulous colours together. Looking forward to seeing how you go.
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Don’t worry too much! I made this pattern as my first shawl ever and was surprised at how much quicker it went than I expected! You’ll be done in no time 🙂
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Those are lovely colours, Julie, it will be such a beautiful piece. I am rather fancying a shawl too though I think I am going to end up looking like Mrs Tiggywinkle minus the spines.
And gosh, you must let us know your secret – you don’t look old enough to be celebrating your fiftieth wedding anniversary 😉 (sorry, couldnt resist – ducking and running away now)
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Oh, now that is a very special-looking yarn! I can’t wait to see your lovely shawl taking shape! As someone who knits a lot, do you ever suffer from RSI? I’m plagued by it at the mo, and it’s put such a damper on my projects. 😦 Do you have any tips or advice for me? I’m mostly resting it and doing only 10 mins or so a day knitting. Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks.xx
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That is a beautiful yarn Julie… I love those greys. It looks like too huge a project for a simple knitter like me though…sigh, Hugs, Jill x
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That is going to be beautiful Julie! I really like the yarn you’ve chosen as well.
I’ve only made one shawl thus far. It was for my mother. I wasn’t thrilled with it. She of course would never let me know if she didn’t like it, but I didn’t care for how it turned out. I’ve been wanting to make her another.
Right now I am working on a scarf. I had some yarn that has been sitting in my stash for a few years now. I’d bought it for one project and ended up using another yarn so there it has sat. It’s a quit knit and I would like to say I am enjoying it, I am, to an extent, but I keep messing up! A simple pattern and I can’t seem to not make a mistake each blasted row! I think my brain is handicapped. 😀
This will be fun to watch you make. I hope it is as fun and as satisfying to make as your one a day blanket you made and makes your evenings calm and relaxing.
Hugs xxoo
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So sorry to hear about your RSI Tina. I have never suffered from it (touch wood) but I do have a few twinges now and then. I knit for between 4 – 6 hours a day usually but in bursts of half an hour or so. Inbetween knitting I stretch my hands and often rub handcream in to give them a massage. I also try to vary projects so that I knit with different needle sizes or I do a little sewing up inbetween knitting bursts. I always knit with bamboo, wood or plastic needles these days as metal definitely makes my hands ache more and I keep my grip very gentle and my arms and wrists floppy which I think helps – when I’m stressed I tend to grip harder and that makes my hands ache more.
You could try a different knitting technique so that you can vary your hand actions. For instance if you’re an English style knitter you could practice continental style as this involves a different hand action.
There are some good hand exercises around that you could try…
http://www.sheeptoshawl.com/charity/archives/2007/02/entry_232.html
http://www.carpal-tunnel-wrist.com/knitters-carpal-wrist/
I hope that your hands ease up and stop giving you pain soon, All the best x
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The yarn looks beautiful, isn’t it great when the knitting comes back to our fingers? 🙂
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Such a beautiful shawl and I love your chosen yarn. I’ll be interested to see how the colours work out. I have the pattern in my Ravelry queue, but as that queue far too long I’ve no idea when I’ll knit it. I can’t wait to see yours 😀
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Julie, thank you so much for all your help and advice, I so appreciate it. Love, Tina xx
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That yarn is lovely. The colours are soft and gentle. I’m looking forward to seeing the shawl in progress!
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just beautiful yarn….and I love the name you’ve chosen for your shawl. so glad you had a good easter break.
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Yes, I was an embryo bride (actually come to think of it I’d have had to have been a twinkle-in-the-eye bride)! Ha, the cheek of it, you better duck low and run fast Mrs Dottycookie!
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I fully expect to be making mistakes on the long rows towards the end. Infact, I’ll probably doze off, jerk awake again and unravel half of it by mistake!
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yes, ravelry queues are all to easy to fill up with all sorts of delights that you’ll never have the chance to knit. Mine seems to be growing weekly!
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The yarns look so yummy and soft… Can’t wait to see what your shawl will look like when you’re done!
I also would like to send you a wonderful blog on austism that is being maintained by a father of three and his wife is sick with fibro. Check it out…
http://lostandtired.com/
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Love, love, love the yarn. You may find the 300+ stitches amazingly addictive! I have knitted several shawls, including a Shetland pattern (three times!!) which starts with 96 lace repeats before picking up an eye-watering 960 stitches.. you work inwards to last 8 stitches. Shawls don’t really reveal themselves until they are off the pins and blocked. A bit of a mystery tour. Enjoy!
Super glad you all had a good holiday.
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Julie
I don’t think that I have ever been so drawn to something so often in my life. I find myself coming back to visit time and time again. Your colour choice in all your projects is stunning my fav was the combination you used for your crocheted blanket but most of all you bring such life to everyday things. Your photos are amazing………. new yarns are lovely. I am so glad that Toby is enjoying his new friends and that you can take the much needed time just for you……..
Hugs from Utopia, Canada
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Wow Julie, It’s beautiful, I can’t wait to see the finished product xxBrenda
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Hi Julie
Me back again, I wanted to ask you how you stay focused on a knitting project until it’s finished i.e. those adorable animals you create. I start projects and for the most part finish knitting them but lose interest very quickly when I have to stop knitting and have to put/sew them together. Do you have a secret for making that part as fun and creative as the knitting part?
Also, now that Rowan has discontinued 4ply cotton( although I see many people have it for sale on Ravelry) have you chosen a new brand for once your stash is gone?
Oh, I said only one question but I am dying to ask just one more, do you have a “knitting room” or a way of organizing all your stash and needles, buttons and all….. I am often accused in my family of spreading myself all over the house. How do you keep things looking so wonderful in your home( so that those of us looking through your photos attached to your blog ………look on with envy)
Hugs from Utopia Canada
People always make fun of this but yes I truly live in Utopia. I live in the province of Ontario, 1 hour north of Toronto just west of Barrie. We are known for living in Potato growing country.
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You have such a wonderful eye for colour, Julie – from shawls to bunnies.
I look forward to seeing it grow.
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Glad you had a lovely Easter Julie.
Really love your shade choice for your wool.
I think everyone has a shawl in their ravelry queue (I know I have) but ‘good for you’ for actually starting it! Mine will probably sit their for a while more!
Hope you have a lovely week.
Fleur
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Great that Toby likes the respite, we all benefit from a change of scene now and then.
I love Koigu PP – so spingy and well behaved. LOVE the choice of pattern.
Cant wait to see the finished garment.
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Home from my last trip for a bit. I’d cheer, but I’m too ragged. Lovely yarn. Lovely that the hols were so peaceful. I’m actually celebrating my 34th wedding anniversary, this very day. Or – maybe in a few days, after I’ve caught up with myself. The colors you use always intrigue me, and I love the words you use – auditioning and understudying. Safer to do all that as yarn that it would be (or was) to do it as a human.
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Hi,
This wool looks fabulous. I finally managed to get the hang of crochet last week, after a few days away in the car resulting in some enforced time of sitting with nothing to do (I wish). I sat with a book and crochet hook and the magic happened! I have managed to complete my first granny square – yeah. I am going to try a one-a-day square, taking inspiration from you Julie. I will let you know how I get on. I hope to finish a small blanket for my little boy, who at six months old needs something to keep him warm in the car.
I love your blog.
Best wishes,
Bernice x
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Woo Hoo for a lovely Easter! So glad everyone in the family, especially Toby, enjoyed the holiday. Love your shawl colours and the pattern. I’ve made shawls before, but I’ve had a Shetland Shawl pattern – which sounds like Woollystrawberry’s – for about four years now and seriously messed up each time I’ve started it. Now you’ve inspired me to start it again and do it as a “one a Day”. It may take me a gerzillion years to finish but I know I’ll enjoy seeing it grow slowly and beautifully rather than getting niggly with it! Thank you! Happy knitting! Jxx
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Hi Julie!
Do you ever make blankets for customers?? I would die for a blanket made from your hands!! 🙂
Danielle
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That is a really beautiful pattern! I think your choice of colors will be wonderful for it
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Oh Julie that is going to be beautiful – and I love the name :o) xxx
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I nominated you for a blogger award. 🙂 More details: http://ohjenni.com/2012/04/18/14794/
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Oh,I’m such a copy cat!! I have been looking for a challenge after knitting teddies and tea cosies for charity and when I spotted your new project I thought…I could maybe do that. However after downloading the pattern and reading through it, I’m a wee bit scared!! I look forward to seeing how you get on!!!
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So beautiful !!!
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