Sometimes I come across a knitting pattern that makes me want to drop everything and start that project. OK . . I know what you’re saying . . I tend to get overly excited about everything but seriously, I saw the Miss Grace Shawl and I wanted to knit it NOW and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I found it last weekend. I showed the pattern to a friend in our knitting group Tuesday and she wants to knit it too.
If you go to the projects pages on Ravelry, you’ll see about 300 projects. I searched through those to find the ones I love and then I tried to base my yarn choices on the three skeins used in the projects I like best. I wasn’t trying to use the exact same yarns or colors but trying to get a feel for how the yarns worked together . . blending, etc. I didn’t want three solids. I was thinking a striping yarn and tonal yarns maybe.
Yarn Choices
It was nice to grab three skeins and walk away with a decision made quickly. NOT! Darn . . I struggle with this. I don’t want colors that are matchy matchy because you lose the lines but I don’t want colors that cause people to say “Is she blind?” Well, yes, thank you for asking . . I am probably needing to have cataract surgery in the next year or so.
Seriously, how on earth do you choose? When I looked at some of the projects I liked best, the colors in the skeins were so different from what I expected. Some used three skeins of wildly variegated/striping yarns and they worked so well.
I’m going to post these in order of likelihood of me using the combinations shown . . which means nothing because an hour from now, I will totally have changed my mind. I’m so very thankful we don’t have a yarn shop nearby . . and Vince and the credit card . . they’re both thankful too.
Choice #1
The red solidish is more burgundy than the red in the middle skein but there is a bit of that color and I wouldn’t want to match them perfectly. I’ve been so in love with pink lately, despite my total disagreement for all this pink hats that are everywhere! These are all three Wollmeise Pure. It makes me happy to use all the same base and not mix bases.
Choice #2
I like this combination but I don’t like that the one in the middle is a different base. It’s still fingering weight but just a bit heavier than the other two, which are Wollmeise.
Choice #3
I like this one and I might even substitute the green in #2 for the gray but there is some gray in the greenish end of the middle skein and I was hoping to bring that out a little. I like the gray because it’s more tonal than either the green or the gold. Again, three skeins of Wollmeise so it’s the same base.
Choice #4
Again, two Wollmeise skeins on the outside and the Into the Whirled skein in the middle. I think I would like the tones in the top yarn instead of having a solid. If I substituted the middle skeins from #3 and #4, I might like that combination too.
I’m still thinking Choice #1 would be the most fun to knit but I doubt there is one pink thing in my closet. Oh well . . I feel a shopping trip coming on!
Are there any of those choices that would make you say “Is she blind?” Yes, I know what you’re thinking . . Choice #1. Don’t say Choice #1. Between 2, 3 and 4, do any of those make you say “Is she blind?”
I wonder how hard it would be to block myself from Ravelry. We have company coming this weekend and the last thing I need to do is think about knitting. In fact, the ONLY thing I need to be doing is cleaning house . . the least fun project of all. 🙁
Deb P. says
I am voting for #1! Love it.
danielle nabozny says
Oh my gosh that is a beautiful pattern! Did not search thru the projects but that brown one on the project page is gorgeous. I am not a pink person at all – altho lately I have been drawn to both pinks and oranges for some unknown reason – but my choice would be your #1…..catchy but not flashy
Frieda Z says
I love your first choice best. The others are all pretty, but number one is perfect.
Anita says
I would say numbers 3&4 would make me wonder about your color consultant… I really like the #2 selection! Good luck!
justquiltin says
We are on the same wave length again. I was looking a week or so ago at the video for the Miss Grace Wrap (rectangular but similar construction).
Joyce says
The only one I really don’t care for is #3. My favorite is #2, but #1 is a close second. I understand about not wanting to mix bases, but I have done it successfully before. If you like #1, I say go for it!
Rebecca in SoCal says
Oh, my, that is gorgeous, but looks hard!
In choice #4, I think the top yarn clashes with the middle one.
Connie Stack says
I looked at the yarn before seeing your choices and I picked #1 and didn’t really see any others pop out at me. Love #1!
Amy (Waunaknit) says
Choice #2!!!
carol fun says
I LOVE your enthusiasm for new projects… I have the same issues… when I see something that catches my eye I want to start it NOW!! I think all of your color combos are nice but #2 is my fav after #1… #1 really is #1… as for the cataract surgery, don’t hesitate, do ahead and do it. I just got my second eye done last week and the improvement in my vision is astounding. The surgery didn’t hurt at all , just some itchy eyes for a day or two. The only down side is the incredible amount of drops you have to put in your eyes for a month for each eye… drop drop drop drop drop… sheesh… but I’m glad I did it. Have fun with this shawl!
Ava Crotinger says
You drew me in with your enthusiasm and the fact that it is so beautiful. I can easily move those other 50 or so knitting projects aside to make room for this one. I can’t wait to start it, but I’ll have to order yarn. VeryPinkKnits has tutorials for it so I should be able to do it. I briefly watched (while knitting) and she explained working the chart.
Karen Sutton says
I’ve got that pattern in my library – also have some wollmeise that would work well I think. So many projects, so little time!
Kay L Ford-Sollimo says
I don’t usually comment on your knitting projects, but it is quite obvious why this one “grabbed” you. It is GORGEOUS! I may have to make this one, too.