I finished crocheting my shawl on Friday, and blocked it on Saturday. All along as I was crocheting I was a little concerned about it being too small, but I was keeping my fingers crossed that it would stretch considerably in the blocking.
It did stretch, but only by about seven inches across. I was kind of hoping for a foot and a half. The designer’s sample was 58 inches across in the end. Mine? Only 41.
Unfortunately, now, I have a problem. I don’t really think this shawl is going to cut it for the wedding next week end. What do you think? Too small?
I think it looks pretty dorky that small. I would have liked to see it drape at least another six inches on each side so I could wear it off my shoulders and hanging from the crook of my arms. This has more of a “shrug” look about it, which is not what I was going for at all.
I do think it looks lovely from behind, and if I could walk backwards with my arms stretched out into every room, it would be fine. But I don’t think that’s very realistic.
I have a decision to make now:
Do I plan to bring this with me to the wedding, and only use it if I get a chill? It is August after all. Unless there’s some serious air conditioning at the reception, I shouldn’t really need it.
Or do I buy a fancy lightweight wrap somewhere, and save this to use as a spring/fall scarf?
And maybe there’s a third option – some way to wear it that hasn’t occurred to me? Maybe you might have some ideas. I would love to hear them, if you do!
Size issues aside, I really am happy with the way this came out. It was relatively simple – simpler than I expected a lace project to be – and the pattern was easy to memorize after the first few repetitions. Once I got going, it turned out to be an excellent in-front-of-the-TV project.
The details
Pattern: Remember Me by Lily Go
Modifications: None
Yarn: Valley Yarns 2/10 Merino Tencel Blend (Colrain Lace) in Natural
Hook: E
LOVE IT! But I see your point.
What if you picked up the stiches (translate from knit speak to crochet) on the long side of the triangle, and added in that direction until it was the desired size?
I’m thinking a second row of the lace would do it, or get you in the ball park.
That could work. I’m not sure I want to mess with it anymore, though, with just a week before the wedding. I kind of feel “done” with this project. If I can’t make it work as-is, I will probably just use it in some other capacity. I do think it would look really nice as a scarf.
I agree that it is too small to be used as a shawl,but your idea to use it as a scarf is great. Beautiful work. It’s always frustrating when a project doesn’t work out the way we plan.
Thanks, Elaine. It is frustrating, but I’m glad I have an alternative use for it!
I don’t think it *looks* awful, at all. I think it’s beautiful. As a bystander, I would not have thought twice about the smallness.
I do think it would make me a little nuts to wear it, though, if I were you. I think I’d be messing with it a lot to be sure it didn’t fall off my shoulders. Is there any easy, non-permanent way to secure it to the dress, so that’s not a factor?
Oh, absolutely, one of the more annoying garments in the world to wear, at that size. I don’t want to attach it to the dress, because I only want to use it if I’m chilly. I would prefer to be bare-shouldered most of the time. I suppose, when I think about it, if I’m only throwing it over my shoulders while sitting at an air-conditioned table, it’s probably fine. As long as I ditch it when I start walking around, dancing, or posing for pictures 🙂
1st of all it is GORGEOUS! I keep thinking “oh man what a bummer” because I knit and I know the time handmaking things takes.
I don’t think it looks bad but for myself, I’d feel the same as you.
Can you find a thin beautiful ribbon to attach to the points and loosely tie it across your chest (which is why I suggest a thin ribbon)
Thank you 🙂 The ribbon idea has possibilities! It would probably make it more like a capelet, but I think it’s worth playing around with…
idea- what if you pinned it together with a vintage wonderful funky pin…..and you could also turn it so the pin or closer was on the side or closer to the side instead of straight center.
if that doesn’t work– who says you can’t crochet more onto it to make it bigger?
just a thought. good luck- i love the design!
At this stage of the game, more crochet would just annoy me 🙂 I do like the vintage pin idea. I will have to see if it is long enough to pin nicely.
It looks like a mantilla, the lacy head covering Spanish Catholic ladies wear to church. It is beautiful, but I agree-you’d be fussing with it. Set it aside and think for a while about adding to the edge. I’ve done that and when I went back my project actually turned out okay. The pin idea is a good one, too.
I thought of a mantilla, too. Funny. If I had another few weeks, I’d probably add to the edge, but I can’t see myself finishing in time right now. I’m wondering if I reblocked it, if I could get another few inches out of it.
I wondered about the reblocking, too, but I know nothing about blocking at all, so was afraid it would sound silly. I am pro-attempted-reblocking.
Done! And I got a whole extra 2 inches out of it. That was a little disappointing, but actually I hung it up in my dining room on a whim yesterday, and as of this morning, I have another 5 inches on it! I don’t know if it will stay that way, but I’m hoping. I tied a few bobbles to the bottom to weight it down, too. I’ll stretch this sucker more yet!
Lisa it’s fantastic and it must be terribly disappointing that it’ so much smaller than you wanted. I love the idea of using it as a scarf and maybe treating yourself to a nice wrap for the wedding – you know to sooth your disappointment 😉
PS I now have cloth napkins and another 3-4 rows of my rag rug completed thanks to those sheets you sent me. Do you think you could do a link up for people who participated in the swap -or have done any sort of vintage sheet project?
I do like the idea of some retail therapy 🙂
Congrats on the napkins and the rug! I love having cloth napkins – I haven’t bought paper in 5 years! I’m thinking of doing another post when I make something out of the sheets I kept for myself. Maybe I can add a link thingy to that. Historically, people on this blog haven’t really responded to the link party thing when I’ve tried it. Not sure why. I may think of something else, but in the meantime, there’s a flickr group from the last swap in 2008, and everyone is welcome to use it for this one, too!
Lisa I think it looks beautiful. If it will drive you nuts falling off your shoulders I would understand that. But if not, wear it. The color is just lovely on you and the shawl is so gorgeous. I can’t imagine a better place to show off your beautiful, lacy, handwork than a Summer wedding 🙂
Aw, thanks, Elise, that’s sweet! It will drive me nuts, but being that it’s August, I doubt I’ll need to wear it much anyway.
What about a sweater clip?
http://www.etsy.com/listing/78764520/draped-multi-chain-sweater-clips-guard
(not necessarily that one, just using that as an example)
Interesting! I wouldn’t have thought of something like that. Maybe I can convert the pearl necklace I made into something like that…
It’s gorgeous but I agree just a little too small to use as a shawl. It would make a beautiful scarf though. Kudos for getting it done on time even if it didn’t work out quite right.
Thanks, Kat. It is a relief to be done, even if it’s not perfect. And now I can get back to the Granny Square Sampler 🙂
It is gorgeous! You did a wonderful job on it. It does look shawl-sized from the pictures, so I definitely wouldn’t wear it at the wedding. You’re better off purchasing something else and using this at a different time. It would make a lovely scarf.
Yeah, I am actually quite looking forward to using it as a scarf when the weather changes!
It’s absolutely beautiful. I have knitted several shawls and some turn out small and some large. I wear them all. I take one to church every Sunday and even the small ones keep the chill off in an air conditioned room.
My first thought was “shawl pin” which should be easy for you but may not work with the size of the shawl. A small decorative pin on each dress strap would also work in a pinch. I would definitely take it to the wedding draped across your arm and if it gets cold, drape it across your shoulders. It will also work great tied as a scarf with this outfit and many others.
Love the dress.
Yeah, I think I am going to do the over-the-arm thing. RE: the dress, thanks! I’m not sure if this is the one I will wear to the wedding. I am thinking not, but maybe. I somehow went from having nothing appropriate, to having four dresses to choose from! Not sure how that happened.
It is gorgeous, Lisa. You did such a great job on it. I agree that it’s kind of small for what you wanted though. I like the idea of turning it sideways and attaching a shawl pin. That could work? Maybe? Good luck! I’m sure you’ll look great no matter what you do!
I’ll probably give the shawl pin idea a try. With all of these ideas, I may have to have a little personal fashion show this week and weigh my options 🙂
Nice work!
What if you put a brooch to the shawel?
By,
ANA.
Thanks! I may give that a try, if it will fit.
[…] took a break from the granny square sampler while I worked on my shawl, and it is so nice to be getting back to it! I really enjoy small projects more than big ones, and […]
[…] you so much for all of the great comments and suggestions regarding my teeny tiny shawl! I decided to try a combination of suggestions. First, I re-blocked it. An hours’-worth of […]
That’s so pretty 🙂 its like something from a vintage fairytale haha ^~^ how did u make it?
Thanks! I crocheted it. The pattern details are at the end of the post 🙂
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