Some 2 weeks ago there was a little family gathering/party at my parents place and the weather was just perfect for me to wear my Pebble Beach Shawl. I got some really nice compliments with a lot of people being surprised this was knitting rather than crochet. Especially my aunt and grandmother expressed how much they loved it and actually wouldn’t mind at all if I happened to make them one. I’m always happy to give something back to these amazing people, so it was time for me to, for the first time this year, cast on some selfless knits.
In 2014 I apparently knit 7 projects that were gifted, so far in 2015 I have knit.. 0 gifts. Woops! Part of that is also because I got such a big knitting dip after my cat died, so overall I’ll have a lot less projects done. But no more excuses, I should do something nice for the people I love!
Knitting the pebble beach shawl a total of 3 times seemed a bit overkill to me, so I’ve decided to make the Henslowe pattern for my grandmother, in this lovely old pink Araucania Botany Lace that I bought last summer. I’m actually leaving for a long holiday next weekend, so the plan is to finish this shawl within the next week, which seems like a reasonable goal. As you can see in the pictures I’m well on my way and well.. no need to tell you what unblocked lace looks like. A big crumpled pile o’ pink it is. Also keeping my fingers crossed this WIP won’t end in a game of yarn chicken!
My aunt said she loved the Pebble Beach, which I knit in the shawlette version, but wouldn’t mind it being a bit bigger. So I’m going to go one pattern size up and make it a proper shawl. The colour she wanted was blue, so I did my best to find the gosh darn prettiest blue fingering weight yarn I could find. I think I did a pretty good job, don’t you agree?
My Grandmother would love that pink as well! I once knitted her a shawl and she really enjoyed wearing it indoors in the winter. So I’d say shawls are always a good gift for elderly people.
That blue yarn will looks so good when knitted up, too. I love Fyberspates lace and should really give their other yarn weights a try.
Something about selfless knitting really makes the knitting that much more special. Love the pink your chose for your grandmother, that is my kind of pink. The blue will make for a gorgeous Pebble Beach for your Aunt.
Hand knit gifts are so special! For me it’s the best way to say – “I love you, thank you for everything!” You chose very beautiful colors! Looking forward to FOs!
not to worry – I only cast on my first selfless knit this year (i’m sure) last month! Not finished yet but getting there. The shawl looks wonderful and that blue yum yum yummmmmmm can’t wait to see these all come together! And 3 weeks driving through canada sounds wonderful! Have a wonderful time and I hope lots of knitting gets done 🙂 jenny xxxx
Handmade gifts are the best. It’s always such a pleasure to offer or to receive. Your projects are beautiful and I can’t wait to see them finished 🙂
I need to start knitting some gifts as well, I love the yarns you’ve picked! I think my knitworthy people want cowls….I need to think about it more.
Beautiful knitting, as always. I cannot wait to see that beautiful blue knit up.
Are you coming to Toronto on your great Canadian adventure? If so, we should meet up and visit a yarn shop or two! I would love to say ‘hi’ to fellow biology Ph.D. knitting enthusiast. 😉
It would be incredibly nice to meet up, but unfortunately we’ll only visit BC and Alberta! But if I find my way to Toronto at one point we should meet up for sure 🙂
Those are such great colors! They’ll definitely be gorgeous shawls, and I’m sure they’ll be treasured 🙂
Lovely knits!!! Oh the blue! Definitely Blue Lagoon 🙂 And thoughtful gifts…it seems to me that knitting for others who will truly treasure the FO goes quickly! Looking forward to seeing the progress!
Isn’t knitting for people who appreciate it awesome?! Beautiful knits, both of those colors are simply stunning! Can’t wait to see more of them.
Have tons of fun on your Canada adventure! 🙂
Good move on not knitting the same shawl 3 times. I suspect that would sap out any and all knitting mojo. The Henslowe is quite pretty and a good choice.
Both shawls are going to be beautiful! Lovely yarn choices as always. The rose color goes so well with Henslowe.
beautiful yarn…and both shawls will be lovely! AND….you know ahead of time that they will be appreciated and loved. What incentive for selfless knitting! 🙂
Handmade gifts are great, and it’s such a pleasure when they are appreciated. I love the yarn, in particular that berry colour!
oh, those are going to be amazing shawls, and such wonderful gifts! it’s always enjoyable to knit things for people that genuinely appreciate hand knits. The shawls will be beautiful!