At this point I’m starting to accept that being stranded in an airport due to cancelled flights/blizzards is fast becoming my new holiday tradition. That said, I guess I should also say that off-the-cuff, knitting-is-my-only-sanity gift projects are also becoming a customary form of combat when faced with this unfortunate and mind-numbing fate.
This year, I willed myself to knit through the stress with something simple that would take care of one of the many handknit gifts I had planned on getting done by December 25th but, well, never quite got around to. In need of simple, mindless, therapy knitting, a giant swatch seemed just the ticket. After all, that’s all a baby blanket really is, right?
I’ve been binging on a generous diet of wool lace recently so this was naturally already where my brain was. Since fine yarns and detailed patterns were out of the question under such duress, I grabbed a leftover skein of Ecological Wool, conveniently pre-wound into a center pull ball (always travel prepared), took one end from each side and started knitting a chunky and fast project on 13′s with yarn held double.
Instant stress relief.
The result isn’t the most heart-stopping piece of knitting I’ve ever seen, but it served it’s purpose, both for me and its little recipient, very well. The center rectangle is a simple Shetland Leaf pattern, trimmed with double-seed stitch on all sides. I really meant it when I said Giant Swatch.
And by the time we finally landed on the other side of the country… it was blocking time.
There’s definitely more interesting lace knitting on my needles at the moment, (including a color that I’ve fallen head-over-heels in love with and must photograph for your viewing pleasure) but sometimes keeping it simple makes for such welcome company.
It's so beautiful! Please, please share the pattern!?
Gorgeous!
Your photographs and descriptions of your knitting projects is enough to make me want to knit till I drop! The blanket is just gorgeous and if that's what your giant swatches wind up looking like, I'm definitely doing something wrong, LOL.
I would also like to know how you manage to pull from two ends of the same skein of wool without a tangled mess…..please let us know the secret.
It turned out beautifully! As does just about everything you knit:)
I've thought of this balnket often after seeing it, and thought I may have seen this pattern in one of my stich dictionaries. Low and behold it's listed as 'Flower Buds' in The Ultimate Sourcebook of Kntting and Crochet Stitches. Hope this is helpful for happy knitting.
Your blog is so beautiful.
Your "swatch" is beautiful and one of the most gorgeous pieces of lace I've seen. Awesome!
I found another pattern called 'fir cone' in my ancient 'ward lock guide to knitting stitches' that would also do the job – I'm going to try it anyway
I think this is rather "fir cone" pattern in the same book, p. 121 instead of page 117
("flower bud" seems just a little smaller, with leaves made with 2 "ovals" instead of three for "fir cone" and the pattern here).
Anyway thanks a lot for the tip, I never would have remembered that it was in that book in the first place !
Please share the pattern for this blanket – it's beautiful. I'm working on the Tweed Baby Blanket now as a belated baby gift. I love it!
Good call on the pattern Jeri – and Shetland Triangle is in Wrap Style and that is at my local library. Excellent! Shetland Triangle looks a little more open – gauge difference maybe.
This is very beautiful, and a wonderful idea. It makes knitting a "baby" swatch way more interesting.
Oh, please, won't you make this available for us to buy through ravelry?
I'd love to knit this for my baby!
Anne
Jared, love the blanket! Could you possible take a moment and share more specifics about it? Seriously I would love to make this!
Very pretty and the color is lovely!
Hello from Toronto,
Your designs and photography are totally awesome!
~ Gabriela ~
it looks beautiful as always. I used to always have to fly standby as an airline employee, unfortunately this was just after 9-11, so no knitting allowed then.
Have you had any difficulties when going through security with your knitting supplies? Do you use a knit kit? Very curious as we are getting ready to move up to vancouver island but daughter will be in boise, i see air travel in my near future!
everyone:)
i posted this question & got no response, will try again
does this piece look like it was knitted on size 13 needles & with yarn held double?
peace&blessings all
mary~
Searching for "fir cone" on ravelry was much more fruitful than searching for "shetland lace" and its variations. I found a nice basic pattern that looks quite similar to this one here: http://wendyknits.net/finished-work-free-patterns-tips/sub-page/ Of course you'd have to adjust for the double seed stitch edging (which, I must say, is a much better choice for this pattern), but it's the closest I've come to finding something for free.
Cheers!
I adore that blanket. It looks so warm and cozy.
simple sucks. your blanket/swatch sucks. your knitting sucks. your photos suck. your spinning sucks. your book sucks. you suck.
i figured you had to get tired of the incessant gushing, so . . .
anyway, you rock. i always look forward to your new stuff.
Flyngmunky that comment had me in stitches.:)
Mr. Flood it is a pleasure to view your knitting and photography.
Thanks always.
wow you are so amazing! it was going to be the hemlock ring but now i think this is it.
This is beautiful. I love the color and texture. Lucky baby.
Hi, Jared!
I was wondering if you would post about percentages, like for sweaters, and how you go about figuring it all out?
I also love this blanket. That lace pattern is perfect. I would love to be able to puchase the pattern. I have not done lace knitting but would love to try this pattern. I really enjoy your blog and your creativity.
This was such a pleasure to read. I stumbled upon the page and found myself captivated. Please check out my personal blog sometime, I would love love your feedback, dear.
Afternoon Tea:
http://www.madisonreece.blogspot.com
So beautiful! Love this yarn and pattern choice
Your simple yet elegant and enjoyable patterns are inspiring! In other words, you keep knitting fun for me… thank you!
I don't know if you noticed, but your photos are very blurry.
This is neat. I am a pretty new knitter, and recently saw the leaf pattern in a knitting stitch book/calendar and tried it out. I love leaves in decor, motifs, clothing, anything, and this has become one of my favorite patterns. I did a little swatch, which was much smaller than your swatch, and I also did it in brown. I absolutely love your blanket and hope to figure out how to make one, too.
I have also learned to appreciate waiting, since I have something so fun to do while I wait.
This is just gorgeous, as always. Love it!
I really love the color and the motiv. Really beautiful!
Gorgeous…simple is excellent.I love the piece too.
I love it! Simple is the best and especially when you use what you have and finish it in time for the receiver – wel done!
You may think that isn't the most spectacular lace knitting ever — but I tell you, no baby has ever had a more beautiful blanket!!
You are missed . . .
Your knitting is perfection and your photos are stunning. I love visiting your blog.
I just purchased the pattern from Ravelry! LOVE IT! Thanks Jared!
I would encourage EVERYONE TO BUY IT!
How do you overcome the problem of having your
knitting needles confiscated at security check? I have
had to resort to crochet with a plastic hook for
in-flight work!
Hi Jared,
thank you for the inspiration. On a longish ride from Austria to northern Germany I made a scarf that copies your blanket. Of course I mentioned you blog and the entry.
if you care to have a look I would be very pleased:
http://trinelotta.blogspot.com
Regards
Christine
I keep telling myself that I do *not* need to cast on anything new–I already have at least six different projects on the needles–but this little blanket is inspirational. I'm going to try some worsted-weight lace swatches, myself. Thanks for the inspiration!