Friday, May 29, 2009

Swishy-ishy Ishbel

Rumble rumble rumble...oof!
Yep, that's the sound of me jumping on the latest bandwagon as it passes by - there's so many lovely versions of Ishbel out there that I had to make one for myself. And I figured with all the stocking stitch, it would be a great project to take with me to Tasmania - lovely knitting without needing to refer to a chart (well, for a while anyway).

I was looking through my stash working out what yarn to use, when I found this little lovely:
I bought this gorgeous skein in New York on my epic yarn tour over 2 years ago, because I fell in love with the colours - not to mention the softness of this yarn. I wasn't sure whether the colours might be a bit much in the stocking stitch part of the shawl, but now that it's done, I'm in love!

Details
Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda Teague - available as an individual pattern or in her lovely collection Whimsical Little Knits. I made the large size, as I like the versatility it offers - can be worn as a light shoulder shawl or as a scarf/neckerchief style. Very well-written pattern, just make sure you read the pattern as well as referring to the charts, as you repeat some of the charts - so don't just knit each chart once, as they appear on the page!

Yarn: Sirino by The Great Adirondack Yarn Company, a lovely fingering weight (4ply for us Aussies) 50/50 blend of silk and merino. The skein was 150g and 675 yards. I used just over 100g (and here I was putting in lifelines while I was knitting as I was paranoid about running out of yarn!! I've got stacks left over!!). It's gorgeous gorgeous yarn - so soft, with the lovely sheen from the silk and a bit of body and lightness from the merino.
Sticks: 4mm KP Harmony options.

Time: 1 May 2009 - 24 May 2009 - I zoomed through this! (well, that's fast for me!). Being away from home on holiday helped of course, and it was so lovely I wanted to finish it as soon as I could.

What I learnt: This is a very straightforward knit, so not a huge challenge in terms of learning, but it was the first time I'd done a wrong side cast off requiring the p2tog, slip stitch back to left needle, p2tog etc. It makes a really nice chain stitch edge on the front of the piece. It also had a very neat method of starting too.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with this shawl! The only issue I have is that it doesn't really go with anything in my wardrobe ... darn, looks like I might have to buy some new clothes to match it!! What a happy predicament!

31 comments:

Bells said...

oh yours is done and mine is not. Boo hoo. Now I want to be like you (what's new?) and have a new ishbel. Isn't she just lovely? I think you chose very well. Perfect perfect. Surely she'll go with lots of your black stuff?

Gidgetknits said...

Oh, oh, oh... those colours!!! That is supremely gorgeous. The kind of gorgeous that makes me skip in the mornings! Perfect in the pattern. I *love* your shawl! And think it deserves a shopping spree for the deal matching clothes.

Miss Fi said...

How pretty and peacock-y. Is this the same pattern that Mad Mad used for her blue shawl?

Has husby let you put the red birds up in the bedroom?

amy said...

Now see, I'd never think of wearing a shawly thing as a scarf, but it looks great that way. Perhaps I ought to rethink my feelings towards shawls?

Anonymous said...

Oh so very pretty! She's gorgeous! Once again, I am in envy of your most gorgeous FO's!

m1k1 said...

Thanks for the link back to your NY trip. v.interesting.
I wonder if allittook Rachael will be encouraged to diversify into woolly goodness to go with her cafe? But then that is a bit far for me to go for a cup of coffee and a ball of wool.

MadMad said...

Or make another in red, hahaha! It's beautiful, though, really beautiful! What a great job! Do you know she was coming to an LYS of mine a couple of weeks ago? I didn't end up going because I ended up feeling shy/weird about it. It's a small store, and I'd actually have to talk to her! That was too scary for me. So I stayed home. I'm a loser.

Susanne said...

Your Ishbel is beautiful. I've been looking at starting that pattern too. Will have to cast on soon, just trying to decide which part of my stash to use for it....such a dilemma!!!!!

Anonymous said...

You know I really can't talk to you anymore. You know that was MY Skein of yarn - the one I coveted out of your whole stash! Sniff. ;)

LynS said...

But you have shoes that match - I was very envious when I saw both the shoes and shawl yesterday evening. This is such a lovely yarn, and the colour seems to glow.

kgirlknits said...

it looks so lovely and shimmer-y! beautiful work.

and I'm sure you'll solve the wardrobe co-ordination in a flash ;)

missfee said...

The drape of the yarn goes so well with both the colour and the pattern - love the overall effect

DrK said...

it is just stunning, and must feel divine! i have avoided that particular bandwagon being a bit meh about triangular shawls now but the way you are wearing this is making me think about jumping....

Sarah said...

Love the sound effects :)

Beautiful, beautiful knit, the yarn is heavenly - and it doesn't matter how many knitters make them they are all unique and when you're in the 'real' world no-one else will have one :)

Jan said...

Ishbel looks lovely and I love the colour of yours. I'm just debating about making a second one and the wool to do it with.. It's a fastish knit and very versatile.

I like several things in her Whimsical Collection and am also planning another cardi for myself, if only I could make up my mind which one.

sweetp said...

oh seriously lovely. the colour of that yarn is so nice!! go you.

Leonie said...

Beautiful colours, such a lovely shawl!

Diana said...

Truly gorgeous!! Great size too. I'll have to look into that yarn!

Caffeine Girl said...

That yarn is truly stunning. You make it look so easy!

Geek Knitter said...

That pattern gets more difficult to resist all the time. Yours is exceptionally lovely!

kim said...

Ishbel is the best, little pattern around for sure. The colors in that skein are spectacular! Have a great weekend.

Probably Jane said...

That's a gorgeous Ishbel and you wear it with such style!

Dianne said...

OK, that's IT! I've been avoiding buying the pattern for weeks, but knowing I was going to cave any moment, and today is that moment!Your Ishbel is absolutely gorgeous! And the yarn is perfect for the pattern, isn't it? I wouldn't have thought of such a variegated yarn, but it looks fabulous...good on ya!

Alwen said...

That is so perfect for that yarn, so peacock's-tail-y!

Lynne said...

Gorgeous!

catsmum said...

can you just hang on a sec while I wipe the drool off the keyboard?
Right ...
seriously THE most gorgeous thing ...
oops, more drool ... I'd better go before I kill this keyboard

1funkyknitwit said...

weeeeeeeeee, squeeeeeeeeeee....... as I've mentioned to you before I'm jealous!!

Perfect colour, pattern & yarn & after seeing yours I'm definitely making it.
GORGEOUS.

Ann said...

It's gorgeous & this pattern is also on my list. I even have the yarn for it - also silk & merino.

Nora said...

Oh, it's divine!! Love the colours.

Anna said...

It's beautiful - what gorgeous colours! Totally deserving of a shopping trip for matching clothes!

2paw said...

It makes me swoon with delirious happiness!! She is swishily beautiful!!! I love the colours and if I didn't have so many things on the go I would be straight on that bandwagon with you!!