All About Shawls

This time of year I'm always torn between not wanting to think about Christmas this early, but wanting to make things for Christmas present giving.  Hmmmm...  That's the thing about making presents; I love to give, and receive, handmade gifts, but you just have to be so blooming organised - something I'm not always that brilliant at.  However, this year I have become a little bit obsessed about a wonderful booklet of small shawls and have been busily making them in all the colours of the rainbow for my loved ones.  The book is from The Crochet Project, and is their 'Shawls Book 1'.  You can look at it here.  It's a fabulous little booklet and I love the way the patterns are written in so much detail; just like someone talking you through the instructions.

Now, I can't put pictures on here of every one I have made, in case one of my friends looks at my blog (I've already given a bit too much away already!!) However, I made one for my friend's recent birthday, and she was really pleased with it.  This is 'Northmoor Lock', and I made it in Rowan Fine Art 4ply.

Perhaps Valerie should have a T-shirt on :0

That's better :D

I made it slightly larger than the pattern, which was easy to do, and I used just over 1 100g skein.  My friend takes her 3 dogs for long walks, so I wanted it to be nice and toasty to keep her warm.

The other one I can show is this one, as I made it for ME!!!!

This one is called 'Your Mileage May Vary' (don't you just love the names the Crochet Project give their patterns?) I made it in a truly fabulous merino and silk blend 4 ply yarn from the very delectable Eden Cottage Yarns.  This particular yarn is like butter, and I wore it almost every day on our recent holiday in Northumberland.  Again, I made it slightly bigger, (easy to follow instructions for doing this are included in the pattern), and it still used well under 1 100g skein. 

The thing about making shawls (or most crochet for that matter) is they look nothing until you've blocked them.  It's well worth taking the time to do this well, as the results will pay dividends. I love the saying 'don't knock it, 'til you block it'!

These small shawls are ideal travel projects, as they fit into handbags, picnic bags, and the glove compartment of the car...  I completed 2 on holiday, just by doing bits on the beach, in the pub, in the car, and in the evenings, when we were snuggled up all nice and cosy in our cottage.  

Crocheting in the pub!

We had a really lovely holiday and I will tell you all about that in my next post.

I'd love to hear what projects you take on holiday!  Please tell me in the comment box below - I'm always looking for more ideas!

Donna x