". Arranged Words: Knitting Projects ~ Tulip Tree Shawl

19 Apr 2016

Knitting Projects ~ Tulip Tree Shawl


The tulip tree shawl has been in my knitting basket with just three rows left to knit for a long time, so hurray to a finish.  I had hoped to make it larger, but I didn't have enough yarn. Raverly page here.

Enjoyable, meditative, and patience enhancing are just a few of the things/qualities that knitting brings to me and probably a whole host of other knitters, although I can't speak for them. I wish I could do more of it, but about three years ago arthritis struck suddenly and with it came tendonitis, so I was forced to put my needles aside. On the bright side, I've still managed to finish a few projects, including my Rosetta Mitts pattern in 2015. And I've nearly finished knitting another pair of those mitts in yellow, but I've put them away for now.  

Drawing and painting are so much easier on the hands. It's a reinvention of sorts, but one that I really love, too.

For those who may not know, lace knitting looks rather like a jumble of uncooked noodles (forgot to take a pic) and then it morphs into a fine tuned garment once soaked and then blocked.

An old yoga mat that's been cleaned to use as a blocking mat.
After blocking, I noticed the bottom points looked flat, so I re-wet and re-pined those points to sharpen them.
The yarn has a golden hue, but the camera had other ideas.

You will find the free Rosetta Mitts pattern here.

A Maestro cutout from an earlier painting. I usually cut any trash bin paintings into strips and use the white side of the strips to test paint on. But even though he's not finished, I couldn't cut through this birdie. The cutout might work in a shadow box, or as a book mark, although it may be too delicate for that.

Warm weather arrived on Sunday. It was 19C or 66.2 F. The crowd that had been hibernating most of the winter were about and about...many in shorts and flip flops.  Although those temps are cool, the spring sun was warm...hot even. Liberation! 
As the woman in the woods,  and I saw one of the first harbingers of spring: a  Mourning Cloak Butterfly. I've never seen or heard about one before. What a surprise! Another first for my nature journal.

A huge thank you for all your kind comments and support for my wee new shoppe.
xo

Have a lovely week...

6 comments:

Barbara Lilian in France said...

What a pretty lace shawl. I'm not a fancy knitter, but I do knit squares for a charity I support. they are sent to Africa for bed covers.
Thank you so much for the painting I received from you today. He will framed and he'll hang in our holiday cottage to be admired by all the visitors who come to stay.

busybusybeejay said...

I love the lace pattern.I finished a lace shawl last week and will photograph it tomorrow and put it on my blog.I do like your pattern though mad may make it my next project.They keep my old brain going!!!!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Your shawl is oh so pretty and would take time making. I knit and crochet, although I don't knit as much anymore as it is harder on my hands than crocheting.

Happy creating ~ FlowerLady

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you.
I love lace and will be over to visit your blog to see your project. O, good. I hope you enjoy knitting the pattern.
And you are right most patterns are like a puzzle...great for keeping the brain limber.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

Thank you, Barbara.
The squares would be fun to knit and what a nice thing to do, too.
I am surprised that the birdie arrived so fast. Now that's airmail!
You are most welcome. Enjoy...

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

It is a stunning shawl, Dixie! The colour is so vibrant, very much of the spring wildflowers around here. Your golden-yellow mitts are beautiful! I find knitting extremely calming. I have to restrict my knitting time, otherwise it hurts my wrists too much. I am so sorry to hear about your arthritis and tendonitis. Painting is easier on the wrists! Great idea with using yoga mat for blocking. I will have to remember that one. Fantastic job with the Maestro cutout! How did you ever manage the cut the piece so precisely. I agree, he is too delicate for a bookmark. A 3D card perhaps?!

Enjoy the wonderful spring weather.
-Soma