Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Shawl & Brooch


This project has given me a lot of personal satisfaction.  It is officially my first entry for Stashbusting September and there's a reason for it. 

Around this time every year, when the weather finally starts to cool down, I get the urge to knit.  Can't explain it, really.  I find that there is definitely a cyclical pattern to my craft interests, based partially on the seasons.  In the fall I get the urge to pick up knitting needles, throughout the winter and spring all I want to do is quilt, and usually in summer I start making jewelry.  This year I seemed to really focus on the quilting because I had the time, but typically that's not the case.

At any rate, every fall I run out and buy a bunch of skeins of yarn for some intended project.  Sometimes I finish them.  Usually I do not.  It's a busy time of year and usually the knitting gets set aside so I can finish Christmas projects and then I move on to something else when the holidays are over.  And the yarn sits in my yarn basket or stash bin somewhere and exudes a sense of guilt in my general direction. 

As far as I can tell, this particular yarn has been part of my stash for four (that's 4) years now.  Embarassing.



I started with two skeins of Lion Brand Homespun in Harvest and decided to keep the construction as simple as possible.  I cast on 50 stitches with the biggest needles I had (size 15) and basically kept knitting until both skeins were gone.  I started it sometime on Friday and finished both the shawl and brooch last night.  I was determined.


On another note, I had the hardest time photographing both the pin and the shawl.  Either I didn't have enough light to show the colors and details or I had too much.  And I think I basically got my brain fried in class today and just couldn't handle trying to edit out pics.  So I just kept the best of several different lighting conditions. 



I even got to make a tiny dent in my beading stash by making a matching brooch to hold the shawl in place.







The red and orange beads are different agates and the greenish ones are some type of turquoise.  The pin and findings are all silver plated.   

It feels so good to have finished a fall knitting project, to bust some stash, and end up with something that perfectly captures the range of fall colors.  Hooray!

In other news, I was featured by Jamie over at C.R.A.F.T. for both my Reusable Sandwich Bags and my Recycled Bird Seed Bag in the last couple weeks.  I just love her blog and especially how she'll collect a bunch of projects related to a similar idea - very handy.  Thanks, Jamie!

And don't forget my Quilt Giveaway is still going on until Sunday, September 12th at 6pm.  I can't wait to find out who will win!!

32 comments:

Brittany said...

You are os incredibly talented I can not get over it!

Seriously!

Gwen @ Gwenny Penny said...

Lovely. I love the yarn.

Gwen @ Gwenny Penny said...

Lovely. I love the yarn.

Carol, The Answer Is Chocolate said...

WOW! Both are simply beautiful.

ShirleyC said...

That is just beautiful!

chris said...

Love the fall colors. Well done!

Beverly {Flamingo Toes} said...

Cecily it's beautiful!! I love homespun yarn and these colors are great. Your pin is so pretty too! Great job!

Three Birds Inspired said...

The shawl is lovely but the pin is outstanding! Love the colors and the simple design.

Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} said...

This is just stunning, Cecily!! I love it. The brooch complements the shawl extremely well. Fantastic job!

Melissa said...

Man, I seriously love the colors in that shawl. If I had the money, I would commission one!! It is gorgeous and the coordinating brooch is perfect!!

Beth said...

Very nice shawl! Perfect colors! Love the pin, too! I love Homespun Yarn knit on big needles like that....I did a hat and scarf 2 years ago with it.

I'd love it if you linked this project on my blog on Friday. I'm trying to kick off a new party for knitters called Fibers on Friday :-)

http://plumslife.blogspot.com/

. said...

That is absolutely gorgeous!!! I love the colors and the pin!

Unknown said...

Your shawl is beautiful and I love the brooch! I tagged you in a post.. soo Tag.. You're it!
http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2010/09/tag-im-it.html

Maureen F. said...

So pretty !! nice job

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

that looks so warm and cozy~ a little hot for Alabama...but that day is coming.
Another fridays favorite for sure!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Well, now I wish I knew how to knit. Looks great!

Jingle said...

This is absolutely fabulous! You did a really great job!

Anonymous said...

Both are just beautiful!

Beth said...

Thank you for linking this to my Fibers on Friday! I adore this shawl!

Atticmag said...

You crafty ladies are so talented! And the photos look great to me. Lovely sweater ensemble.

We have a Roxy bedding giveaway, $100 value and our Giveaway Friday! link up party. Please stop by. Jane F.

Keya Kuhn said...

Great colors! Can't tell from the picture, but is that a bamboo stitch? I, not being a quilter or a jewelry maker, knit year-round; but I have my knitting seasons. In the summer and fall I want to make cardigans, in the colder fall months I start on socks and pullovers, and when spring comes, it's accessories, like bags and purses. Same every year, except this year the sock knitting obsession went all the way into May.

www.zibelineknits.com

Kristy said...

Beautiful Shawl! I love the colors.

Katie said...

Lovely, the colors are perfect for fall and I like how pretty the brooch is too. My mom has a few shawl pins and they aren't as pretty. She recently finished a green shawl for herself and it's so nice to be able to make something exactly as you want it for yourself! Thank you for joining us again at A Crafty Soiree! I hope to see you next week too!

Marjorie said...

Shawl is amazing...brooch is totally yummy!

malia said...

You are a multi talented lady! Beautiful.
Thanks for linking up to A Crafty Soiree!

Gloria said...

Holy crap! Is there anything you CAN'T do?? You sew, do quilting, knitting, jewelry making... You put me to shame!! Seriously, beautiful work. I think I said this before, but I will say it again: You are truly gifted with all you can do.
Best,
Gloria

Fowl Single File said...

I'm in love with those colors! "Harvest" is the perfect name for that yarn. And good for you, you little stashbuster!

Lori@Paisley Passions said...

So pretty. Love the fall colors! Thanks SO much for joining in on Thrilling Thursdays @ Paisley Passions. I hope to see you again next week :)
~Lori S.
Thrilling Thursdays @Paisley Passions

Tasha said...

Wow, they are both just beautiful. I love the fall colors.

Andrea said...

Very beautiful!! The pictures turned out well too considering the colors you were photographing! Love the outdoor shots =)

Holly Lefevre said...

It is gorgeous. I have that same yarn! Love the way the brooch looks with it as well. Thanks for linking up to tickled pink - I am back this week!

Unknown said...

you're right, the shawl does perfectly catch the colours of fall. so lovely! and I think the pin is the icing on the cake. what a great combination. congrats for buckling down and finishing this!