Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
In the spirit of gradually revealing the hand made gifts I have made this season, here you have a shawl!
I am really proud of this shawl, because it's so darn pretty! I gave it to Habou for her birthday present.
It's the Holden Shawlette (I posted the details on Ravelry), and although, due to some yardage issues, I had to leave out the last few rows that add a little sweet pointy edge, I think it's just adorable.
Ladies, I want to sing of little airy shawls made of lovely, warm, yet light wool. I can't tell you how amazingly magical it is to put a shawl around your shoulders at the end of the day. Unlike (another) sweater (I am already wearing at least one these cold days), a shawl like this doesn't add any bulk, but it warms you up just as things are chilling down unpleasantly. The ends will toss over your shoulders and around your neck, out of the way, if you need to lean over a dishwasher or change a diaper. But pull it down over your arms, and you feel wrapped cozily, as by a gentle hug. And even with jeans and a fleece vest, it looks so feminine!
(I have one, not hand made, that you might remember me dyeing with Kool Aid. I use it so much that it's getting a little raggedy.)
It's not even that hard. You follow the directions and end up with something from a fairy tale. Sigh. I can't wait to make another one!
I have photos of Christmas morning, but of course, everyone's in pajamas and would not be happy with me posting them. And then when we were all dressed up, we didn't take any pictures, and anyway, it got dark!
But we were happy.
Now here we have the opposite in every way of everything I stand for.
A camo snuggi.
Purchased at CVS for $10. Who would want to wrap themselves up in this nasty thing? You can practically spot the bits of soda bottles it's made from.
I keep saying “But boys! there are so many quilts in the den!” and they keep replying, in unison, and I'm not even kidding about that, “But they don't have ARMS!!”
Pippo went home. I probably should put the high chair back in its corner in the dining room.
So sad.
And now it's very cold here. (Good move, Pippo! Back to sunny California!)
I've started pulling those shades down in the den at night to keep in the warmth. I need a shawl, STAT. Non-camo.
I probably could have moved the tissue box, but there you have it.
Catherine says
Love! The shawl is beautiful!! Your posts always make me smile…thank you!
Natasha says
Very pretty shawl!!
Sarah says
All that lace work. All I can say is wow! For a novice knitter that is truly impressive. You have inspired me to get back to the jumper (sweater) I started last year for Ginger….I stalled at the point that the cable needles were called for. If I start now I might actually finish it in time for Tom Kitten to wear it!
I hope you are feeling a bit warmer with the blinds drawn. I must say that as it is postively stinking hot here in Darwin I am a little envious of actually being cold. We are told another month before the wet arrives, and it has just been hot and humid for so long now that everyone is getting fed up. Oh to be cold:)
_Leila says
Sarah, try YouTube for directions on how to cable without needles. I have no idea if it always works, but I cabled without cable needles on a pair of socks. Don't think I could have stood it otherwise!
Kate says
Oh that shawl is gorgeous! So feminine and lovely!
Kathy says
This is my first time to participate, I always enjoy reading the posts from this link up! I really enjoyed yours today and especially love the Shawl you made! Happy New Year!!!
Elisa says
Haha, I have never seen a Snuggi in action. It does seem like something boys would love. =) Beautiful lace shawl. I am knitting with the combined method and I haven't figured out lace yet.
A @ Classical Quest says
I absolutely LOVE that shawl. You SHOULD be proud. 🙂
It reminds me of a delicate ivory colored shawl I bought in Russia when a was a teenager. I think it might be in my mother's cedar chest. I really should dig that out and use it.
Mamabearjd says
My kids are all sick and I contemplate the snuggie for times like these. I can't even imagine how much dog and cat hair they would attract. The shawl is beautiful. I am going to try knitting this year.
I'm sad for you when Pippo leaves!
Betsy M says
That shawl is just beautiful Leila. The color will be amazing on Habou. If I was not following your advice I would make it my New Year's Resolution to learn to knit something beautiful – however – I will try to do my best to get out of my bathrobe and get laundry done today so I will not even worry about learning to knit right now and instead just admire your handiwork. 🙂
“Now here we have the opposite in every way of everything I stand for.” – Very funny.
Nancy says
Beautiful shawl…love the color!
Blooms of Joy says
The shawl is so beautiful, so delicate and feminine! We are getting ready to send our oldest back to college.
🙁
momco3 says
The thought of your knitting a delicate, feminine camo shawl made from recycled pop bottles has me chuckling. =)
Liturgical Time says
My DAUGHTER has a camo snuggi.
Perhaps my daughter should meet one of your sons. haha.
sarah marie says
That shawl is amazing! I need to improve my knitting skills ASAP so I can be a legitimate wife and mother. 😉
Jennifer G Miller says
The shawl is beautiful! I love knitting and crocheting lace, and the shawl is my favorite thing right now! I live being able to throw it over my shoulders at any time with any outfit. I love the pattern you made–I'll have to check that out.
Anabelle says
I loved the shawl and laughed at the snuggi. And thank you for the photography link last week. I don't know why you haven't been on my blogroll until now.
Jessica says
Oh, I love that shawl! Gorgeous!!
Dusa says
Amen to shawls! And may I recommend shoulder warmers for some of the same reasons you listed? This is the one I'm working on now (making it a tad longer than pictured): http://garnstudio.com/lang/us/pattern.php?id=5189…
Lisa G. says
Such a beautiful blue, and I'm sure looks very well on your mother. I avoid lace knitting, but perhaps I might try it again…… maybe. Your living room looks great.
Mary says
The shawl is stunning! I love the color and it looks so delicately feminine. Beautiful job Auntie Leila!!
Sonja says
The shawl! It's beautiful! My favorites list on ravelry is growing… too bad knitting is so incompatible with my daily life at the moment!
Stephanie says
That shawl begs to have a good book read with it 🙂
Mary says
You need to knit them snuggies. 🙂 That would take forever.
Marcia says
Nothing like children to complete a family's Christmas. And nothing like saying goodbye to them to make you sad after the festivities… 'Hope you are on the road to complete recovery, Auntie Leila.
Habou says
I LOVE my shawl. One of the best presents, EVER. The color is perfect.
I am so blessed to have a warm and loving family.
Amy M. says
I also chuckled at Leila's opposition to the camo snuggie 🙂 Have you seen this pattern from the Purl Bee? http://www.purlbee.com/felted-wool-vest/ Perhaps this could be a compromise between you and your boys and allow them to stay warm with arms free while not offending your aesthetic sensibilities? It doesn't have sleeves, but it does have arm holes. It has been on my 'to make for someone' list for a year, but I'd love to see you do one before me!
sarahlcc says
That color is beautiful, one of my favorites. It looks like you had a lovely Christmas.
Happy New Year! 🙂
Ashley says
I have to admit, I have a Snuggie and it's great for reading because my arms stay covered. Maybe other people can manage that with a blanket but I can't. Plus, my cats love the material – it's their favorite place to sleep.
PNG says
Sad for you that Pippo is gone.:( That little high chair looks so lonely. I LOVE the shawl….that color is something else. I really want to knit a cowl for myself to keep my neck warm, but that won't help my arms. Maybe a shawl is the way to go. Only I need the ability to move freely around the house so I'll have to find just the right thing.;)
Amy M. says
You should check out the Purl Bee pattern posted above! (I don't work for them, I swear, but I am not opposed to a few less Snuggies and more homemade warm things in the world 🙂
Laura says
where do you get your wool?? How expensive does it tend to be compared to standard acrylic yarn? How do you wash them?
Amy Caroline says
Oh that shawl is GORGEOUS! I love shawls. I have been wanting to make another for me. But it always seems that I have other people I need to make something for.
And men… they all secretly desire a camo snuggy. You will have to suffer the consequences of buying the one, lol.
_Leila says
Amy, thanks! And I certainly suffer the consequences of someone ELSE having bought the first one 🙂 (It wasn't me. Don't think it was me!)
Teri Pittman says
I know it’s an old post, but I love shawls. I knit a lot of them and I wear one daily. Because I have so many of them, last year, I decided to knit a shawl for my close friends. I did the smaller shawls so that they could be used as scarves. And I didn’t let any one know they were coming! It was fun and it seems that everyone liked theirs. Wearing a shawl is sort of like being hugged by wool.