Nightshade Annis (FO)

Have I mentioned the sad fact that members of my family are allergic to wool?  This signficantly impedes my ability to easily give knitted gifts.

I decided to make something special for my Mom's birthday and purchased some yarn at the Thanksgiving Eat.Sleep.Knit sale. At Christmas time, when we were discussing my knitted gifts plan, she mentioned that she would not be opposed to a cashmere/silk knitted item. 

Well, who among us would be opposed, I ask you?

And ironically, what had I purchased to make my Mom's birthday present? Why some Sweet Georgia CashSilk. In my mother's favorite color. I could claim I bought fancy yarn because this is a significant birthday for my Mom, but I only realized that fact about 2 weeks before her birthday.  I just love her (everyone together, "ahhhh").

And the yarn? It is a dream.  

The sheen is amazing.
The feel, divine.

When I become independently wealthy, I'll have worsted weight cashmere/silk dyed to order.  And I'll knit hats out of it.  In stockinette. Because I can.  A girl can dream, can't she?

I decided that after I was finished with Christmas knitting, I would start and give myself plenty of time to knit. But that was before I met... The Neverending Mittens of Doom.  Since they weren't done until February, I didn't cast on until late February.  It's a formidable caston with 356 stitches.

When I went for my girls weekend, I took this project with me. And fortunately, had the good sense to set down this project before we were too far into the drinking game.

This is a good project because it's 18 hard, focused, very long rows of lace - with 156 nupps in those rows! 

And then stockinette.  There is still a bit of attention necessary on the stockinette, but smart use of stitch markers makes it quite easy. The construction of the stockinette section is ingenious, rocking back and forth from the center. It results in a large middle section, 

but is almost circular, allowing it to easily drape your shoulders without coming off. 

no, i cannot explain why I look like that in the picture. Partner says cute, I saw peculiar.

Because my mom's birthday was while I was gone for work, I knew I had to a firm deadline. In addition to my girl's weekend, I needed a 5 hour marathon knitting session one night. That was only necessary because I lost nearly 10 days of knitting because of my work schedule.

In all, it took 21 days, start to finish, including the 10 days I didn't knit a stitch! It really was an amazingly fast knit.  And, I only used 320 yards, so while the yarn is expensive, you really can create a special gift for a special person with far less than one skein.

And my mother said, "It may be one of the nicest things I own." She has also told me of her different schemes for showing it off to other knitters.

Win!

Pattern: Annis (and Ravelry) 
Yarn: SweetGeorgia Yarns CashSilk Lace, Shade: Nightshade, 320 yards
Modifications: I cast on with US 10.5 to be certain my caston was loose enough
Knitting yardage total 2012: 1033

Comments

[Pumpkin]

That shawl is absolutely stunning, and I can only imagine how wonderful that yarn must be to work with. Heavenly I would guess. Beautiful work!

[kate]

It is gorgeous!!!

And I agree with partner, very cute picture of you.

[Kat1e]

I'll confess to being a lurker. Sure enjoy your goal updates as I too like to have goals. This wrap is gorgeous! LOVELY!!!

[melissa]

oh goodness what an amazing shawl! your mom is going to be so over-the-top thrilled!!
i love it - the nupps are the perfect touch - but 156!?!? wow woman, you deserve a nupp-certificate of valor!

and i'm going to agree with partner, and kate, and say that you look adorable in that picture! (but i'll admit that we're all probably biased because we like you so much.) (but don't think for a second that our bias makes our opinions any less valid - you're adorable.)

[nova]

It's so perfect, and now I want to make one too!

[Rachel]

Catching up with non-birthday posts finally! This is an amazing FO Kathy...it turned out so well and I'm not surprised to hear the compliment your mom gave it! A PERFECT gift for mom!

[sandra]

You have done this knitting with yarn wonderfully, and the color which you have chosen is very nice. Your mom must be happy for this gift right?