My Profile

I am Sandra - faithful steward. listener. shepherd. dream believer. hard worker. collects brass bells, boots. Jesus follower. contented. star gazer. homemaker. farmer. prayer warrior. country woman. reader. traveler. writer. homebody. living life large.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Pink Moon, Green Shawl

~ April's pink moon, through the branches ~

April's full moon is called the Pink Moon and it was beautiful. This photo isn't the best one I've ever taken but I love it anyway. Perhaps because it reminds me of the still quiet of early morning, a bit before sunrise...? The dogs and I were wandering in the yard and enjoying the presence of God. Birds were in full song, dogs were snuffling, horses were softly snorting...peaceful and serene and what a wonderful way to begin the day! 
The Farmer's Almanac says the April moon is called the Pink Moon because of the wild ground flox that grows this time of year. It's one of the earliest blooms and simply gorgeous! Other names are grass moon, fish moon and egg moon; the latter is, I'm guessing, because chickens begin laying well after not laying so well throughout the winter.
~ olive green shawl ~
Just off the knitting needles is my olive green shawl made in Lion Brand Organic Cotton. The color looks, both in the photo and in person, like a mustard but Lion Brand calls it "olive". Recently, while I was away, my hands wanted knitting. I'd taken embroidery to finish some pillow cases for a friend as well as another project, although I can't remember just now what, but my hands said, "knitting"; knitting and only knitting will do. So, I found a Joann's Fabric and bought some organic cotton yarn and made up my own pattern.
~ design element or design flaw? ~
The pattern is a simple one, instructions to follow, but I've got either a design element or design flaw on my hands. I'm not sure which. I think if I can't find one more skein of Lion Brand Yarn Art 480, color 174, lot 38342 Olive, it will be a design element. I wanted the fringe to go to the tip ends of the shawl but I ran out of yarn even though I used three 103 yard skeins... I still ran out of yarn. 

drats.

It's more of a shawlette than a shawl and meant to be worn close to the throat and pinned with a shawl pin. I like it and the color, believe it or not, looks good on me. My skin tone is sallow and I look best in autumn colors so pison green is my color -smile-. One of 'em at least. I'm amazed at how warm this shawlette is and realize I won't be wearing it much longer before it will have to be put away until autumn and cooler weather. That's okay, my hands have been happy for a few days and that's a good thing.

Vicki, of Simple Knits, has put together a terrific listing of knitted shawl patterns. A lot of the patterns are free so make time, please, to visit her. "My", and I use the word loosely as there's nothing new under the sun, pattern is a take on the old knitted dishcloth pattern.

Pison Green Shawlette

400 yards bulky cotton yarn - you choose color and brand and yes, increase skein by one  if you're using Lion Brand Organic Cotton as it comes in 103 years per skein.
Size 9 knitting needles

Cast on 3 stitches.
Knit* 2 stitches** into back of each stitch, Yarn Over***, Knit into back of each stitch to end of row

Pattern is

K* 2 sts** into back of each stitch, YO***, K into back of each stitch to end of row

I made my shawlette about 2 feet or a little more in width, across the top. Then I cast off, wove in all my ends and began cutting yarn twenty-four inch strips in length. I tried twelve inches in length but it looked puny; perhaps eighteen inches would have looked good but twenty-four looked lush so twenty-four inches it was. 

Use a crochet hook to attach the fringe to the edges of the shawlette. I suppose one could block but it's a roly poly bulky cotton and doesn't take well to blocking so just throw the sucka on and look beautiful!

Blessings ~ knitting ~ hands to knit ~ cotton yarn ~ pison green ~ shawlette ~ pink moon ~

Knit happy, 
Sandra

17 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures, thank you for sharing. We can never catch the true beauty of the moon in our pictures, guess we need a better camera.*wink*

    The shawl is just gorgeous, my Dd fell in love with it and asked if we could make one, only thing is I don't knit, so may give it a whirl with crochet instead. I crocheted her a shawl several Christmases ago but it was light a loose, she wants one thicker and more compact. Her B-day is coming up first part of July, so I'd better get to work*wink* I have to wait for her to go to bed or be gone to work on it, so will need all he time I can find, LOL!!!

    Blessing for your and your family today,
    Kelle

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sandra~
    Your shawl is lovely! I don't live near a Joanne, or I would look to see if it has your yarn. But could you check their website to see if they have it or Lion Brand online?
    Either way, it is most definately a design element! ;~P
    Blessings!
    (p.s. I would love to see your 'welcome' sign when you get it finished. It was fun to make something from what would be burned soon!)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I took a picture of the moon too but it looks so far away! I feel like reaching up and pulling it a bit closer for better effect!
    Love the shawl. I would like that round my shoulders when I'm reading in bed please!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love you moon pictures, Sandra~ those are pretty.
    The shawl is gorgeous, I love the color you picked!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love that the moon is called a Pink Moon.
    I love the shawl. I like the color too. You do beautiful work.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful photos and shawl!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Okay sending the twist right back at ya! *wink* My email addy is kvent1729@cablemt.net. This is my private email and the one I check at least three times a week :O)

    Blessings,
    Kelle

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like this pattern, and thanks for sharing it. The moon shots are wonderful. I can never get a good one.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is my first visit to your blog. It is very beautiful and inspiring. I felt very comforted by your posts.
    I am now following and hope that you will visit my blog and follow too. Thank you and blessings, Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  10. The shawl looks lovely. I love greens. I guess thats why my living room is green. I think green is on a comeback. I love full moons. ;) The word verification for this comment is
    rumen. Fits!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful photo and shawl. Sometimes knitting is the only thing to do.

    ReplyDelete
  12. "So, I found a Joann's Fabric and bought some organic cotton yarn and made up my own pattern"

    Oh, how I wish I were this talented!
    What a gift you have :)
    xo, misha

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sandra these pictures are so pretty. I can just imagine in my minds eye standing there listening to the birds and horses and being in the presence of the Lord sounds so peaceful. Hope all is well. Keeping you and Dave in my prayers. Love your Shawl too it's really beautiful. Blessings my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  14. As much as I love yarn, and even though I spin yards and yards ( miles I'm sure) of yarn, I still do not know how to knit or crochet. You make me want to learn so badly, maybe this is the year.

    I love the "shawlette" and the color will look just right against your face.

    I can see the beauty of the picture of the moon, a morning moon for you especially.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the photo's, Sandra. Beautiful moon and shawl!

    I used to crochet back when I could remember the next stitch. LOL

    You're amazing with all you do.

    God bless you and Dave!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wonderful imagines dance in my head. Lovely shawl and moon. Egg or pink or whatever for each of us.

    Blessings on you and Dave. Your blog is priceless, your view is wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh my that gorgeous moon---

    Your shawl is truly beautiful- the color is magnificent! Did you look for the needed yarn on eBay or contact customer service at JoAnn? Do I need to look for this yarn for you?
    Vicki

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting Thistle Cove Farm; may God bless you, yours and the work of your hands and heart. My goal is to respond, here, to your comments although it may take a while.
Anonymous comments negative, rude or detrimental in nature will be removed.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...