First Project of 2013

swallowtail1

01.365: dream in color

Technically, this could be the last project of 2012, but I won’t be finished with it for at least another week. I took a break to work on a doily blanket order, because heeeeyyy– I still have a shop!

Anyway, I cast on December 29. I was browsing Ravelry and remembered this yarn I won in a giveaway from the WEBS yarn store blog…in 2011. Over a year ago! It’s pretty luxe for my taste, so it remained zipped away in a bag, only to be taken out and admired every once in a while. I don’t think I could ever knit cashmere socks, so when I decided I should knit a shawl, this yarn came to mind immediately. It’s Smooshy with Cashmere by Dream in Color (here). It’s supremely soft and the colors are nothing short of perfect.

swallowtail-closeup1

swallowtail-closeup2

I’m using the tried and true Swallowtail Shawl pattern from Evelyn Clark (on Ravelry), which is now available for free! I first knit this pattern when it came out in Interweave Knits (Fall ’06). I started it in March of ’07, then it hibernated through the Spring, and I finished it at the end of summer. I am a crocheter first, so this is the most intricate knitting I’ve ever ventured. I hope to change that, this year! I want to write more crochet patterns, of course, but I also want to knit more complicated designs. I guess this could be considered a crafty resolution! Get intricate. Work my crafty brain out! And also blog more. I miss craft blogging.

Did you set any crafty resolutions?? I want to know!

18 comments to First Project of 2013

  • Those colors are incredible!

  • Beautiful colors! My first project is a hat. My goal this year is to get familiar with more complex crochet. Do you have any suggestions?

    • I’m a big fan of the doily! I like working vintage patterns, which you can usually find in old leaflets at the thrift store. You could also try your hand at amigurumi. Those are always fun and a good way to practice increasing and seaming.

  • Beautiful yarn! I knit two mini Swallowtails for Christmas presents a few years ago, and now I think I might need one for myself…

  • Oh my! That yarn is delicious. I want to reach into my screen and steal it from you. That is going to be one gorgeous shawl when it’s done.

  • Just beautiful!!!! I just learned to knit in the round on New Year’s Day, so I have a few knitting projects in mind for myself. I can’t wait to see this shawl when it is done. The colors are divine!!!

    • Thank you! And how exciting! I remember the long tube I made when I first started knitting in the round. I think it’s what really got me excited about knitting. When I first learned flat knitting, I thought it was SO boring. I had nightmares about endless stockinette.

  • I have goals to knit more, blog more and challenge myself more.
    I visit here often to get a dose of inspiration.
    I happen to have the same Smooshy yarn and I knitting arm warmers.
    Happy crafty New Year!

    • Thank you! Happy crafty New Year to you, too!

      Those are great goals. I want to blog more, too. I’m brainstorming some ideas, but waiting for my kiddos’ winter break to finish, so I can really get down to business.

  • the pattern is lovely, so long in my queue,love the color!

    • It’s a really great pattern. When I first knit it, I was so scared of it and it took me forever, but now? I’m already on the border patterns! It’s 200 stitches now, so I’m going slower, but it’s really fun!

  • Hi Lisa,
    I think it is funny that you and I, who are both crocheters first, start the year off with a knit shawl! I started mine the other day and while the pattern is much more basic then yours, it is still a challenge for me because I don’t knit often!
    Thanks for sharing,
    m

    • Wonderful! I don’t knit as much because I think I’m pretty slow at it. Crochet is always such instant gratification. I’m really enjoying this shawl pattern, though. It is challenging in all the right ways.

  • congrats on challenging yourself! i love your photos they are so dark and seductive!

    Barnicles

  • Wow I adore the colour – and I do understand that you didn’t make socks with that lovely yarn – altough it would make nice socks too :)