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Looking for suggestions for a gift, probably a wrap  

post #1 of 25
12/31/07 at 5:54pm
Thread Starter 
I would like to knit something very nice for the woman who taught me to knit. I think she would get the most use out of a wrap or shrug. I would like to do something that looks a little special with beautiful yarn, but I am barely an intermediate knitter at this point.


I would love some of your suggestions if you have a favorite pattern. I would like to try new techniques, like lace, but I need to be realistic about my skill-level. Especially if I am going to splurge on the yarn. I cannot screw it up.

Right now I am looking at Ella from knitty
http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTella.html


thanks!
post #2 of 25
12/31/07 at 6:07pm
Have you seen Knitty's Clapotis? I've seen it done in many different yarns, and it's really a beautiful, simple wrap.
post #3 of 25
12/31/07 at 8:44pm
Yep, I was going to suggest the clapotis, too. It's a very simple knit, but it's good preparation for lace and really shows off nice yarn.
post #4 of 25
12/31/07 at 10:13pm
I am working on this shawl:

http://www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/?p=443

It's very easy, you could really use any yarn and needle size because it's top-down and you can stop whenever. I think it would be really pretty in a Noro yarn, or Knitpicks Suri Dream handyed. The increases are yarn overs, which are a good prep for lace.
post #5 of 25
1/1/08 at 2:42am
I'm knitting the same shawl as 3 boobykins. I've knit probably 25 rows and it's coming out beautifully. I'm all about simple and lovely knitting these days--with a stress on the simple.
post #6 of 25
1/1/08 at 11:34am
Thread Starter 
Those are all great ideas, thank you!
post #7 of 25
1/1/08 at 3:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by OakdaleMama View Post
I'm knitting the same shawl as 3 boobykins. I've knit probably 25 rows and it's coming out beautifully. I'm all about simple and lovely knitting these days--with a stress on the simple.
:

I am so loving it! It's going to be warm and cozy in our cold house. I love the construction of it--nearly mindless shaping, and it's done whenever you decide it's done. I'm thinking of doing it in a laceweight yarn next--time to use the lovely indigo-and-violet Knitpicks Shimmer I've had sitting around for over a year. There is no way I can handle the concentration it takes to do "real" lace with three wild ones in the house, but this is perfect!

What yarn are you using? (with apologies for the hijack, OP!)
post #8 of 25
1/1/08 at 5:04pm
In advance I gotta say, don't hate me because my yarn is from AC Moore! My local yarn shop is just so terribly unfriendly. This is how it goes: I visit a time or two, am treated dismissively or unkindly and I vow to never go again. Repeat that process about once every 18 months. So I just had a bad experience at the yarn store and needed to start the shaw THAT VERY DAY, so AC Moore it was. I'm using Bernat, Alpaca Natural Blends, 70% Acrylic/30% Alpaca. It's a lovely medium brown/gray that will have a nice halo. I'm most pleased with the weight and feel and how it's knitting up. I do want to try the shawl in deep red when I can find the yarn that makes my heart sing. Long winded much?
post #9 of 25
1/1/08 at 5:45pm
Don't worry, I shop at the chain craft stores too, mostly for Patons Merino when it's on sale. I've felt that alpaca blend at Michael's, and I think it's really nice, actually--I would use it. So I don't hate you in the least I mostly shop online for yarn. We have 3 LYS. One is unfriendly, one is quite friendly, the other is totally pricey. I'm sorry you weren't treated nicely at yours! When I've gone to the unfriendly one a couple of times, I always felt like I was being looked down upon for not buying large quantities of expensive yarn. Once I went in just to look while holding a sleeping dd2--couldn't afford to spend anything at all--and I felt like I'd just walked in covered in mud something, the way they were giving me the eye. So I know how that feels!

That alpaca blend is going to be so soft and warm!
post #10 of 25
1/1/08 at 6:54pm
What is it with snobbery at yarn stores??? Terrible.
post #11 of 25
1/2/08 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rootzdawta View Post
What is it with snobbery at yarn stores??? Terrible.
Wow, I thought I was the only one with this issue.
The one closest to me has amazing, pricey stuff. The lady puts me off though. She looked at my well-behaved child like he was some kind of bug planning an infestation.

We have a super-duper down to earth one, but it's on the other side of town.
post #12 of 25
1/2/08 at 1:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by flapjack View Post
Yep, I was going to suggest the clapotis, too. It's a very simple knit, but it's good preparation for lace and really shows off nice yarn.
do you think it would work to knit this with a lace weight yarn?

Gosh, I know less than I thought i did.

Thanks!
post #13 of 25
1/2/08 at 1:51pm
I think you'd be okay with knitting Clapotis with lace weight yarn. I just did a quick ravelry search, and it looks like there were quite a few people who knit this with lace weight yarn. I knit one with 3 skeins of Malabrigo, and it was a quick knit with worsted weight yarn, and I loved how it showed off the Malabrigo. Here are a couple pics.

Malabrigo Clapotis close up
Clapotis on bed
post #14 of 25
1/2/08 at 2:39pm
Oooh, no, don't knit it with laceweight yarn. It'll take forever.
I did actually see a beautiful pattern on ravelry for a laceweight scarf that looked designer, but was just stocking stitch with a few bits cast on and off. I'll dig it out when I've finished burning tea
post #15 of 25
1/3/08 at 4:52pm
Thread Starter 
I like this in the Azul Profundo colorway:

http://www.kyarns.com/malabrigo-urug...ight-yarn.html

Do you think this is an okay price? I really don't have time to get to the LYS. I don't think I can afford Lorna's Lace.


Thanks so much for your help.
post #16 of 25
1/3/08 at 5:18pm
Cheaper here, with $4 flat rate shipping:

[url]http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlinegen/currgen/Malabrigo/

ETA: oops, they don't have that colorway. But I think you can get a better price.
post #17 of 25
1/3/08 at 5:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3boobykins View Post
Cheaper here, with $4 flat rate shipping:

[url]http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlinegen/currgen/Malabrigo/

ETA: oops, they don't have that colorway. But I think you can get a better price.
oooooh. Thank you
post #18 of 25
1/4/08 at 12:13am
I made clapotis with Caron's simply soft yarn. Very soft, and machine washable!! I made it only as wide as the pattern. Were I to make it again (and I'm considering it-fun knit) I would make it wider for more use as a wrap/shawl rather than just as a scarf.
post #19 of 25
1/4/08 at 3:55am
Aha! The Swiss Cheese Scarf!!!!
post #20 of 25
1/4/08 at 12:13pm
I LOVE the swiss cheese scarf! I immediately put it on my "to do" list. That will make a great gift (or two or three...)
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