Winter Lace Shawl ~ and Christmas Crafting!

This shawl reminds me of The Snow Queen a fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson.  I'm not really sure why because the snow queen wore a white robe and so it might just be because it's something opulent that a winter queen might wear.  And, really, it never hurts to wear something that makes you feel a like a queen every once in a while.

If you are not familiar with The Snow Queen fairy tale it involves the struggle between good and evil and kindness and forgiveness and the choices we make in this life and it has special meaning for me.  Not because I relate to the queen but instead to the small boy in the story who like me struggles to find his place in this world and his attitude toward family and life in general.  There are many distractions in this world that claim our attention and as a result we rarely take the time to consider what virtues are important to us and and define our life. But it is one of the most important things that we can do with our time and teach to children. Because if we don't know what is truly important to us it is more likely that we will make wrong choices along the way.

I knew this shawl would be worn at the holidays so I added a mixture of crystal and seed beads to add sparkle and catch the light.  I began by using all crystal beads but ran short and when I reassessed the effect I added in colored seeds beads because I thought the contrasting beads added a more interesting effect.  I love the finished shawl and can't wait to wear it when I make my appearance in the evenings.  I just wish I had a crown and scepter to complete the effect.

Particulars:  Trieste by Rosemary Hill (sold by Designs by Romi); US 8 needles; 3 skeins (I used 2.5 skeins) Rowan Kidsilk Haze; beads (mixture of crystal and seed beads); blocked dimensions: 40" x 80"; I knit a total of 9 triangles (instead of 10).  I found this to be an easy pattern to knit with a stunning result.  Block Dimensions 76" x 44."  Previous Kidsilk Haze shawls I've knit are: The Fleur Wrap; Willow; Dove; Anisette Stole, Birch.   Other designs by Rosemary Hill that I've knit are: Carson Shawl.

Christmas Crafting!

I'm still a kid at heart and love Christmas crafting because it's a time of year when you can use sparkles, doodads and glitter and the more the merrier! This year I made a wet felted Christmas tree using green and white felt and then decorated it with sequins and beads, and I am delighted with it.  It looks very jolly sitting on my kitchen counter along with a cute Grinch ornament and adds a touch of Christmas cheer to my kitchen counter.  It was very simple to make using a resist and if you are interested in how to make a wet felt project my Felt Bunny post has some helpful information and links.

We always leave town over the holidays and I also take a break from the internet so I'll take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and New Year from Steve, Simcha and myself!  Until next time, be well, love well and have fun celebrating the holidays and have fun adding some glitter and glitz to your holidays ~