Thursday 5 January 2012

Frankenknits

I'm not going to suggest to you that I think this is pretty.
Actually I do think this bit is quite pretty, it's the rest of it that's questionable
But it is the first Finished Thing (TM) of 2012, so I'm putting it on here. I seem to find myself, readers, with a bit of a stash of yarn that has built up, mostly leftovers from projects, stuff that was misconceived, that kind of thing. And I hate having leftover yarn hanging about in bags! Hate it! So, in an occasional series of Frankenknits, I shall try and use it up over this year in useful objects. Because, this shawl may look bright and mad to you now
OK, yeah, but, imagine this: hot night with a breeze, outside an expensive restaurant, white vest top, tasteful gold jewellery, silk palazzos. Better? And now I've got the shawl, I just need the rest of it
But I think it will be useful in summer for sitting outside (in fact, if you remember my post on how to wear shawls, I am envisaging this shawl in the first of these scenarios). In any case, it is more useful as a shawl than it was in the partial skeins of Kureyon Sock and sock and mitten that didn't quite work and which I have unravelled. And there is enough left to go in a pair of Frankenknit socks at a later date. Go Frankenknits! Where normal aesthetic rules do not apply and Thrift is our watchword! Like the turkey leftovers of knitting!

(Pattern is the Holden Shawlette - it's free, and very easy, good if you want a first lace project and also simple enough that it won't look too mad with variegated yarn - I did a couple (2) more repeats of the lace pattern, and I think this is a decent size shawl).

OK, off to pick up the dustbins. It's windy! Is it windy where you are?

17 comments:

Stephcuddles said...

Oooh, it does look very pretty, good job :)

mooncalf said...

I am oddly receptive to bright and mad things in January when grey bleakness is more the order of the day. I am very pleased to be looking at this shawl and dreaming of glittery fudge right now.

Chrissy said...

Now I do like that one! I've not thought of using Noro with the Holden Shawlette. I like it!

Sharripie said...

I think it's nicely done. Lately, I've been using my leftover sock yarn for making Ysolda's Mousies, though I had used them for condom cozies a few years back. That was when all my friends were single. Now I'm making toys for their babies. I'm not sure if there's a correlation.

Anonymous said...

I thought that was the Holden. It looks great in the Noro. It would never have occurred to me to use self-striping yarn for it. Good job.

Mumma Troll said...

I love it I really do. (As in - I'm not being sarcastic ;)

Marie/Underground Crafter said...

I love it but would never have known how and with what to wear such a divine creation, so thanks for the link to your post on how to wear shawls. Now I can finally start making some!

Susie said...

Thank you everyone! I was worried it was a bit bright, I feel better about it now.

Marie, the most important thing to wear with a shawl is an imperious expression ;-).

AC said...

I think it's pretty...the colors go together quite nicely, especially for a Franken-knit. I think if I tried that it would look like someone barfed Skittles.

Anonymous said...

I think it is REALLY pretty. One of my favourites actually. Not too bright at all. In fact it's not as bright as the afghan I didn't like and in a much nicer way.

You are right about the sunshine though. I think we all wear grey and beige here because we see colour as such a staggering contrast with the grey gloomy sky. When the sun is out though, then we feel like we can compete a bit. It's why bright colourful clothes look absolutely gorgeous when worn in hot countries but can look garish over here. Anyway, I think it's subtle enough to wear now and cheer you up and will look good in summer too. Don't wait until summer, it deserves to be seen now.

Oh and actually it looks like it was pondered over for hours while you deliberated on subtle colour changes, not something you threw together from left overs. So, way to go in my view.

Yes, windy here too but not so bad yet.

April said...

I think it's absolutely gorgeous and you did a marvelous job.

Also, KnitPicks has come out with a 100% acrylic line. $2.99 a ball. Just sayin'.

Vivianne said...

Very pretty :-) Let me know when you find the silk palazzos - I love palazzos :-)

Anonymous said...

A question please.

Do you prefer long comments, short comments, any comments, or no comments? Or not fussed?

Susie said...

Well, whatever people want to say, really - generally I love them all? But I'm quite happy for people to read and not comment as well. I don't mind.

Emma (GirlAnachronismE) said...

Love the frankenknit shawl, it looks amazing, and personally I think it's really pretty!

And yes, it was very windy. My poor little car nearly got blown into several lorries on my way home.

juicyknits said...

Oh, a great way for leftover yarn. Lovely!

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