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For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb
Psalm 139:13

Sunday 13 September 2015

off the needles: Pebble Beach Shawl



Nope, you're not seeing things; I did actually finish my Pebble Beach Shawl and it's a beauty!

In case you're wondering about the freaky get-up, myself, Mr P and some lovely ladies from knit club attended the annual Grand Regency Promenade at Bath's Jane Austen Festival this weekend (we're just that cool). As you can imagine, that's a whole other kettle of fish and there were a few knitty treats that I'll share with you next time. 

Anyhow, this was the shawl's first outing, so I persuaded Mr P to take some snaps on our way home. The FO shots are something I'm really trying to work on. Any tips would be most welcome! Neither myself or Mr P know much about photography, and I feel fairly awkward in front of the camera. I guess it will come with time. 


I think the pics show off the shawl nicely, though. I started it back in May for the CFTC Makealong and while it took absolutely ages, it was a really good challenge for me. I stepped out of my knitting comfort zone to try circular needles for the first time, working lace to make my first ever knitted shawl. 






For the picot bind-off, I had to learn how to do the knitted cast on method. It's a mildly shameful thing to admit as a knitter of some years, but I'd only ever used the thumb cast on prior to this! Here's to learning new things.

Curious Handmade's Pebble Beach is a fantastic pattern. The clear, grid-style format made it really easy to follow for a lace novice, and the stitch counts on each row helped a lot. I could check if I'd gone wrong or not! There was a fair bit of tinking with this project, but those stitch counts kept me on the straight and narrow. I loved the percentages, too, to indicate how much I'd completed. I think the pattern's now available as a full-size shawl, too.

It's a beautiful accessory and it really came alive after blocking. Going to just wear mine forever now. 
All the details, as usual, are on Ravelry here.




15 comments:

  1. what cool event, and your costume looks great! photos are tough, but these turned out well. I generally find that direct sunlight is really hard to get photos in- much easier when it's overcast but still bright.

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    1. I agree, the pics are clear, but the direct sunlight is a little harsh! It's tough to match the weather with photo time!

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  2. Well done on completing it! It looks really pretty. I saw your photo of the Regency Ball and thought you were wearing this shawl. :)

    I can't help with photography, either. Especially projects that are large are hard to take pics of. I photograph smaller things on canvas that I never used for painting - it's quite huge, but not bit enough for shawls to show them in all their glory.

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    1. Thanks Nadia! Oh, I like the canvas idea! We used to have a wonderfully crumbly window sill and a weird tapestry sofa that made great backgrounds in our Bath flat. Yet to find good ones in the new flat! :)

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  3. Great job, the shawl looks fantastic (as do the FO pics)! I'm also knitting a pebble beach at the moment (my second one already!). And a Jane Austen festival sounds like a fantastic event, I'm so jealous!

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    1. Thanks! I'd definitely recommend the festival if you're into literature and/or costume. Glad I've discovered your blog now - am following along now! Looking forward to seeing how your Pebble Beach turns out :)

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  4. gorgeous! and the even sounds super cool - very jealous :) don't worry, I only know one cast on and one bind off method, I'm scared to use anything else and so far I've got away with using the same ones for everything! :p I also get really uncomfortable in front of the camera for any FO posts, but luckily I have a very photogenic and patient sister who helpfully steps in for most of mine (i prefer to take the pictures), jenny xx

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    1. Thanks Jenny, I'm hoping practice will make perfect. I'm much more comfortable behind the camera! :)

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  5. The shawl is gorgeous, and it looks great with your regency outfit!

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    1. Thanks Leah, am looking for more excuses to get back in this outfit! Loved it. :)

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  6. Love the shawl, you are so clever :)
    Pretty lady xox

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    1. Thanks Sammy, am loving shawl projects right now - they're great for learning new stuff in a non-scary way! :)

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  7. Stunning! And so good for your first shawl! Love the Jane Austen theme, such a lovely idea and the shawl looks perfect for it! x

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    1. Aw, thank you Gill! Have already got my eye on another shawl pattern. One more thing to finish, then I'm starting it! :)

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  8. A lovely shawl, great finish for you.
    Cheers, Anita.

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penny for your thoughts . . .

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