Bias Beauty Shawl/Scarf Pattern Review

You might remember back in April, I blogged that I was casting on a new knitting project.  Well, I couldn't say it then, but I was knitting a shawl for my mom for her birthday.  Well, Hell must have frozen over, because I actually finished it on time for her birthday!  Mark it in your calendars, friends, because it's a first!  LOL

The pattern is called Bias Beauty Shawl.  I wish I could give you a link to the pattern, but it was a one-page sheet I got at The New Ewe yarn and quilt shop in Newaygo, MI a while back.  I am thinking it may be a pattern someone at the store wrote up.  If you want to get hold of the pattern, maybe you could try contacting them.  Sorry!

And here it is hanging over the railing of my brother's lakehouse deck.  I really love it.  You can see how it hangs at an angle.  It's knit on the bias.  I have never knit anything on the bias before.  Truthfully, I'm not sure how it happened, because it just felt like regular knitting, but I sure like the way it hangs.

Here is a close up of the pattern.  (You might also be able to see the little flecks of gold from the strand of gold metallic thread that is embedded into the yarn.)  Again, you can see now the stitches go at an angle.  The stitch is really pretty easy and produces this very open, lacey effect.  Somewhere during this, I tried to knit a lacey cowl with fingering weight yarn.  I tell you, I ripped that baby out four times and finally gave up.  I am not sure knitting lacey stuff is for me!  But, I can attest, if you haven't been successful with lace before, this pattern might be for you.  It was easy to follow, easy to execute, and still gave the lacey look.  I would highly recommend this pattern as an introduction to lace-type work, if you haven't done much with lace before.

Here is the ruffle edge, which I just love.  This is such an interesting shawl to knit.  You start at each end and begin knitting at this ruffle edge.  You knit to the center back, move your stitches to a stitch holder, and start again from the other end.  Then, you join them in the center.

Here is my beautiful mother on her 70th birthday, modeling the shawl.  It should be great for this Florida resident who is always cold when she is in air conditioning.

Here is the back.  You can see where it's seamed together.  I didn't do the greatest job on the eam, if you ask me.  I had a few problems that resulted from poor planning on my part (i.e., not leaving myself enough yarn on the edge to do the kitchner stitch all the way accross!  I had to start from each end and work my way to the middle.  Sheesh!).  But it looks fine!

Mom also like wearing it as a scarf like this.

Back view when worn as a scarf.

We also liked the scarf worn this way.  Happy birthday, Mom!  Hope you liked it.  I enjoyed knitting it so much, I'm going to knit one for myself in a champaigne color.

I really enjoyed knitting this and would recommend the pattern to anyone.  I'm off to list this project as COMPLETED on Ravelry.

A true confession before I leave you....I had both halves of this done about 2 months ago.  For some reason, though, I waited until two days before I had to leave for New Hampshire to sew the two halves together and block it.  Why do I do things like that???!!!  I am such a dork sometimes!

And by the way, just so you know, I am sitting outside as I write this.  It's a warm evening, and I'm sitting in the shade, drinking a glass of wine, eating some cheese and crackers (no, it's not on my diet....leave me alone), watching Sweet Pea blow up water balloons and talk to the dog and cat.  It's a very pleasant evening!  Let's just hope I don't get pelted by water balloons!!

Catch you all soon!

Until next time,

Comments

[Shelly]

Your mother IS beautiful! And so is the shawl. I love the color you chose. Good job on a finish! Enjoy your evening . . . sounds divine.

[Donna]

Your gorgeous mother looks lovely in the shawl! You did a great job. Makes me want to learn to knit. It's the only stitchery I never learned (Amber knew how) to do.
I hope you don't get wet with a water balloon :)
Hugs,
Donna

[Sue]

That's a gorgeous shawl! And your mother IS beautiful! She does not look 70! She looks so pleased with this lovely gift. You're a good daughter :D

[Maureen]

I love the shawl! You are so talented!!

[Terri]

70?! Great boobs! (I'm allowed)

[carolld]

Love that shaw. Wish I could knit like you do. Such beautiful stitches. Your Mom is beautiful. I love how she showed the shaw in so many different ways. Great job!

[Thimbleanna]

Hahaha -- hopefully, the fact that you were blogging on your computer saved you from the water balloons. Your mother is beautiful -- and so is her new shawl!!!

[terriaw]

What a beautiful shawl! It looks fabulous on your mom. I like the scarf look too. Nice to hear this was an easy stitch. The ruffle edge adds fun movement to the design. And what a treat to give this to your mom for her birthday!

[Ivy]

Your mom looks fantastic! And she's a great model! :)

[Deb]

She's beautiful, Stephanie! (Shawl is too!) :)
You did great to finish on time.

[PegVan]

Thanks to all your great friends who wrote about my shawl, Mamma Pea. They are so nice!! We had a great time at the lake, and I can't wait to show off my new shawl/scarf to my friends back home here in Florida. You can bet it will also be traveling with me as well! It is so very packable and is the perfect companion for cruising, day or night! Thanks again for such a wonderful gift. Hugs and love coming your way.