There is more to being a crochet wizard than learning the ropes yarns!
For one thing, one has to figure out how to wind a thousand miles of string into a ball. Evidently this has been done for centuries. I suppose you could make someone stand there (someone you wish to punish) and hold the skein for hours, while someone else who needs punishment winds the ball – but not too tightly mind you – in different directions, with three fingers in between to make sure nothing is stretched.
This morning I was the punished winder and two chairs served as the holder-uppers. Lucky chairs.
But that’s not all.
I thought I finished my first shawl!
But it was not really finished.
It needed to be BLOCKED.
Forgetting to look up “how to block things” on the internet, I winged it and steam ironed the darned thing.
It grew.
Actually that may have been fortunate because it was too short to begin with.
But it grew to an appropriate shawl length.
“HURRAH! IT IS FINISHED,” I thought.
Nope.
The shawl needs just one more thing. A SHAWL PIN!
Have you ever heard of a shawl pin?
Well, it’s a sort of clasp thing to hold your buns together. No, that is not meant to sound the way it sounds.
But, it’s a stick that goes through a nice cover piece.
Anyway, the final stick and cover thing are supposed to hold things together
like hair or shawls.
As you may know, I have a new network of lovely knitter friends at the Stitchin’ Post in Lexington, Virginia “WhereFiber Artists Come to Play.” They told me about a lady who makes the most gorgeous sterling silver jewelry and some stunningly beautiful shawl pins. Jen Letter, Silversmith is a talented Virginia artist who makes things with a twist! That means she hand casts pieces that stand out as uniquely special. The fact is, they are absolutely beautiful!
I am smitten with her work and after the shawl pin purchase I will finally take a photo of my first finished shawl plus Jen’s pin, even though her pin may take the limelight.
Stay tuned!
To be continued………..
Oooh, Jennifer’s silver is beautiful! Dor, that yarn you’ve featured in this post is just beautiful. I’ve yet to graduate beyond cotton dish clothes so I am so admiring of your progress. Well done.
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What a fun project Dor!
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I will look forward to the shawl and the pin! I love pins but don’t wear them much these days.
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Oh, you tease! 😉 Can’t wait to see it!
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I can’t wait to see the finished masterpiece, Dor. You have much more patience than I will ever have. Kudos to you!
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What gorgeous yarn . Love its soft colors. I sew decorative buttons on my finished shawls to close them . Looking forward to your photos .
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I can’t wait to see he finished product with the beaitiful pin :).
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It’s foolhardy bravery Barbara. I am just plunging in, hoping for a magnificent outcome. 🙂 It’s called self delusion.
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Making something useful or fun or pretty out of a piece of string is still slightly miraculous to me. 🙂
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Ditto coastalcrone. I too look forward to the shawl and the pin. 🙂
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I can’t wait to see it either Eliza. I am hoping to get the shawl pin tomorrow or the next day to complete the whole “ensemble.” 🙂
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Patience is definitely “in” with needlework. In fact, the first shawl required a bit more patience than I thought I would have. The second promises to be a herculean task. 🙂
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Great idea – the buttons to close shawls! I love the new yarn too. It’s for a second shawl that is really airy and light. It would be for my daughter-in-law in San Diego.
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Here’s hoping it doesn’t disappoint…. it’s the one that is an enlarged scarf. 🙂
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I just know it’s beautiful :).
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Likewise Dora, I too can’t wait to see the finished product. If the pin is as lovely as some of the Victorian hat pins it should look brilliant. !! Great work Dora keep it up. I think you are well and truly HOOKED now. Pardon the pun as they say.
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Looking forward to the seeing it!
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Good luck! I love the colors of your yarn above. So pretty! 🙂
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She will love it . The yarn looks a little like what I have been using these last few months . … very soft . …easy to work with . I find large silver or shell buttons which are beautiful . Hope you enjoy making this next piece . Best wishes WG
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I think you are right Rita. I am “hooked.” 🙂
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Thanks Sunshine! The colors for a new shawl are sort of seaside pastels and I love them too. It is for my daughter-in-law who lives near the sea in California.
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Yes, it is a 100% silk yarn that is so soft. This shawl may not need buttons since it is mostly “spaces.” 🙂
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No doubt you’ll have a good time – blocking and all. Love the colors of the yarn.
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Oh, Dor, how decadently luxurious 😉 Your son’s wife will be so happy to receive this wonderful gift! I work in a much less designer yarn- Red Heart’s “Unforgettable,” which has a wide variety of color combinations keyed to the seasons- I’ve made several things for babies with it, in addition to shawls, hats, and scarves.
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Thanks WG! I will look for Red Heart Unforgettable too. Have finally figured out the pattern for the new shawl after about six tries and learning via video how to do a “magic ring” in crochet. Such a challenge!
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Keeps us young to keep learning new things. Never heard of a ‘magic ring’ in crochet. You’re way ahead of me here, Dor. Glad someone had a video to help you out 😉 Great weather to sit and crochet! Enjoy 😉 WG
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🙂
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🙂
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Can’t wait to see! Why don’t they wind the yarn into balls in the first place?
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Some yarns do already come in balls… I plan to diligently look for those Patti. Great observation. 🙂
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