Friday, October 13, 2017

Here we go again......





Another South Bay Shawlette has made its way off my size I hook.  I know you are all getting sick of my obsessive shawl making but I can't stop.  With all the stress out there in the world I need a simple pattern to make with beautiful yarn moving through my fingers.  I had plans for this one.  I think it might go with me to the wedding we are attending in November.  I had visions of it going with this wine colored dress, giving the dress some pizzazz. I bought this yarn 50% off when a local yarn store was going out of business.  Malabrigo Silky Merino in the colorway 866 Arco Iris.  I am in love with this yarn, it is gorgeous to look at and gorgeous to hold in your hands.  I used all but this wee little bit of four skeins, so about 600 yards.  The funny thing is they were all the same dye lot but the third skein had so much green in it.  I like the way it looks within the shawl but might not like this in a sweater.  It looks like I had a grand plan for this green stripe, I admit I did not.


How do you like it with the dress?  Dresses look so horrible on hangers don't they?  So flat and not full of life.  The yarn has a bit more depth to it then these photos are portraying.  


This was also another yarn option for this dress.  This yarn was gifted to me and I have two beautiful skeins, about 560 yards in all.  I have already started another shawl, really I am obsessed.  I have not decided on the winner until this one has been completed.  I will keep one shawl and give the other as a gift.  See it is a win-win.



My two small rose bushes took a huge hit during Hurricane Irma.  They lost every leaf and flower.  I cut them way back and crossed my fingers they would grow back.  These roses greeted me today.  How fun to have them blooming again.


As we experience yet another 92 degree day I have been looking for signs of Fall.  This is it, the berries on my holly tree are starting to turn.  Although I am frustrated about the heat and humidity I do not have a thing to complain about.  My work is done for the week, we are all healthy and relatively happy, and I am safely writing to you from my home that has not been ravaged by hurricanes, floods, earthquakes or fires.  I feel for all of you who have been in the path of these horrendous natural events.  For those of you in Northern California, I am sending you  prayers.  I feel a bit like this world of ours has had enough of all that is going on.  Like it is sending us a message, get it together people, be there for each other and do not tear each other apart.  Care about each other and the state of the world.  No more Hate!

I wish you all peace.

31 comments:

Lilbitbrit said...

I think both yarns are lovely, but can never tell until made up. I don't know how you do it, work, little boy and another shawl off your hook. Looking forward to seeing which shawl with the dress. Wishing you and family well. Have a lovely weekend.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

The shawl is lovely and goes well with the dress. I don't even own a dress right now. You make beautiful shawls and well anything you make is so pretty. Hang in there, I'm praying for a calm weekend. We all need it so much. Hugs!

Acorn to Oak said...

Your shawl turned out great and looks good with the dress. It'll be fun to see how the next one looks. I'm guessing it might look even better. I love that pattern. I've made so many South Bay Shawlettes. I was obsessed with shawl making for years. I have so many! And, I've gifted a lot of them too. Out of all the lacy crochet shawls I've made that is still one of my favorite patterns. Along with the Mock Faroese (sp?) shawl by Lily Chin. I've made many of both (along with others). I had to make myself take a break because I have so many. They're so fun to make and then when I lift them up from blocking it's like a magic moment. They're so pretty! I know I won't be able to take a break from them forever though.
;) Happy crocheting!

busybusybeejay said...

I love the shawl.What beautiful yarn and it goes so well with the dress.I am also obsessed with shawls......and socks.... And blankets...have a great weekend.Bx

Teresa Kasner said...

I *LOVE* that shawl! It's so colorful and beautiful.. bravo! I've been wearing my fall colored shawl I made using that Red Heart Unforgettable yarn and it's SO soft! I love that shawl with that dress and you will look so stylish. I also love that new skein.. can't wait to see how it works up. Lucky you on the rose coming back. Ours are ready for winter. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Bridget said...

Another beautiful shawl, Meredith! I think it will look stunning with the dress.

I'm glad that your roses survived - just think what story they have to tell. And as far as fall arriving, the past few days here have been fall-ish. However, this weekend the high is supposed to be 82 degress - ugh! Though it's cooling down again next week, and I for one hope it sticks!

Take care and have a good weekend.

Betsy said...

Meredith that shawl turned out just beautifully. And I really like the vibrant colors in the new yarn too. I think either of them will be beautiful with that dress. I agree with you on the state of the world. Everything is just crazy these days isn't it? I'm so happy for you that your roses came back. It's snowing just north of us today. Mount Spokane is covered and you can see it from our back deck. We're still hoping to go camping tomorrow though for one last time this year.
Blessings always,
Betsy

Araignee said...

Another beautiful shawl? Already? I am more than impressed. I am in AWE.

CJ said...

It's a really lovely shawl, and beautiful with that deep red dress. I agree with your last para - so much sadness and heartbreak in the world at the moment. We have much to be thankful for. I hope you have a good weekend Meredith. CJ xx

Joyful said...

Beautiful colours in your shawl Meredith. I certainly understand your obsession with shawl making. I tend to go overboard with making simple dishcloths or reading when I'm stressed. I'm glad you have something useful to keep your hands and mind occupied. xx

Jodiebodie said...

I agree with Araignee - your productivity is admirable and the results are too!

Your shawl goes beautifully with your dress but I think I will prefer the deeper, richer colours with it. That's just me though; I've never been a big fan of pastels except for baby things; I don't know why. There's something about deep, rich colours that excites me visually. They don't need to necessarily be bold or exceedingly bright, just deep and definite! Regardless, both shawls would be perfect accessories.

Let's hope the world slows down for a little while to give everyone space and time to breathe, recover and reflect after all the stress.
Hugs xx

Lee said...

WOW.That shawl is jaw Dropingly Awesome,those colours are soooo Beautiful and I love the pattern.I could never make something like that,you are so clever.I am so sad about all those people losing their lives,their homes,what is going on with all this Earthquakes,Hurricanes,fires.So awful those poor people,my heart goes out to them.Hope you enjoy your weekend.Huggles to all xxxx

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Nothing wrong with spending time on something that makes you happy! Make as many as you please!

Caffeine Girl said...

I'm probably going to like the second shawl better with the dress, but I somehow sense that the first one's colors are more "Mere." I tend to go for the deep and bright colors. You really can't go wrong with a dress in such a gorgeous color.

We are having a very rainy fall, which was just the way our spring was. I think this is our new climate. It is nice to have some cooler weather. I hope some of this coolness makes its way to Florida!

Anonymous said...

I think you are spot on with easy projects. I'm all about the simple projects right now. I think the state of our nation plus the personal stresses we all have in our lives ---- well, my HOBBY just doesn't need to add to that. Besides .... those shawls are gorgeous. Who wouldn't want several!

I think I like the second color better with your dress, but the first one looks lovely too.

I have to have a word about hate ...........I live in a big city as you know. Wouldn't you think people here would be accepting of each other? No! I have had conversations with three separate people in the past few weeks (business contacts) where ugliness has come out of their mouths about certain ethnic slurs. I was totally gobsmacked.


Anonymous said...

Your shawl is gorgeous as always and looks very nice with the dress. Your blog is very uplifting to me and hope you will always continue.
Little Buddy is a gem and I love his sayings("out of the mouths of babes", right)

Anonymous said...

I'm not getting tired of your shawls, not at all!
And it's so beautiful how you say why you need to make these beauties!
I feel the same way too.
Love the picture of that little leftover in your hand, it's like a tiny flower..
Take care and have a very nice weekend,
Sigrid

Chy said...

You are so talented Meredith. The colors are beautiful! X Chy

Between Me and You said...

Your work is always so perfectly beautiful, Meredith. The shawl and dress go together so dreamily.I agree with you about Mother Nature.She's fighting back. She deserves much more respect.We should be leading by example instead of bleeding her dry.I hope you have a relaxing weekend.xxx

Blondie's Journal said...

I love your work/art, the shawl is gorgeous and can mix with so many colors in your closet.

So happy to hear you weren't affected by the hurricanes. So much happening in our country at once. One thing that makes me feel a bit of peace, is seeing how we are there for out fellow man. Being united in all situations, tragedies, and worries about our country, make the load more bearable and restores our faith.

Jane x

linda said...

It's a beautiful shawl Meredith and goes really well with the dress as does the other yarn I will be interested to see which one wins out in the end. I'm pleased to hear all is well with you and your family and hope it continues like that. Roses are amazing they are so resilient I'm going to have to leave mine behind when I move and that makes me sad but never mind I will buy some more. Have a great weekend :) xx

Jo said...

Such a beautiful shawl and it goes perfect with the dress, though I'm sure the other yarn will too. I think once it's been made up into a shawl you'll get a better idea of which one you prefer. I'm glad to see that your rose is in bloom and that it wasn't lost, yellow roses are my favourites.

Melanie said...

Incredible shawl! You are so talented, Mere.

kathy b said...

Meredith

Yarn and creating are great obsessions to have! Im thrilled you are in your mode.
I love how it will look when you wear that dress.

Delighted Hands said...

What a beautiful shawl-it shimmers with color!
The new skein will be an eye popper; I can't wait to see how it turns out! It doesn't matter the medium you chose to relieve stress-creating beauty works!

Gracie Saylor said...

You have made another gorgeous shawl, Mere, and I think it is lovely with the dress, but the new skein is a winner, too :)
Some of my family members and friends are close to the CA fires. My niece and nephew in Santa Rosa are no longer evacuated. Carolyn, my oldest sister, and my niece and nephew who live in Sonoma are still under mandatory evacuation and had no electricity for two days before they evacuated, but all are safe and accounted for, for which we are grateful.
Wishing you peace, as well. xxxxxx

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I feel the same way about all the disasters, natural and otherwise, taking place. What will it take to wake up some people? I say make what makes you happy and if that means yet another shawl, then do it. We all need peace and beauty in our lives.

Vera said...

Wow! Another beautiful shawl and another beautiful skein! Either will look great with your dress.

elns said...

You know none of us is going to give you any crap about obsessive shawling, LOL. We all have our "thing" we like to repeatedly craft. That's ok. I love we all have these pockets of creativity and productivity in our lives. Also, really lovely work. :)

Christine W said...

It's a lovely one, this shawl! And the roses are beautiful.

Judy S. said...

You are definitely a crochet artist! I love the shawl and think it looks great with your dress. The other yarn is awesome, too, though, so you are going to have a tough choice! Glad your roses survived the storm; they are pretty hardy except when the deer visit. They don't mind the thorns one bit!
Wishing you a peaceful Sunday and week to come.