Sweet Dahlia Shawl- Test for Birch & Lily





Pattern: Sweet Dahlia Shawl by Birch & Lily Model: Luda M. 



















"It's Summer! Be free and happy and danceful!"  

Last night, on a whim, my sweet Luda came for a visit.  It was a perfect end to a hazy summer day. Even at evening, the Texas sun was blistering. Yet we managed to have fun and take full advantage of our time together.

 I can't describe how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to take photos of my childhood friend, her precious daughter, and my freshly knit Sweet Dahlia Shawl!  There was this vision of a summer beauty floating in my head.  And, here is that vision in all it's glory!  I love it when an idea comes full circle!  Luda you are a gem.  Truly beautiful inside and out!  

A few weeks before Mother's Day I got the notion to knit my mom a shawl.  In all my years of knitting, I had never cast on a shawl.  For whatever reason, I found them to be intimidating.  However, this year has been all about pushing myself to try new projects.  I am so glad I did.

The Sweet Dahlia is a pattern that I tested for Birch & Lily.  You can find more of her work on IG https://www.instagram.com/birch.and.lily/  At first glance, the lace section had me nervous.  Not only was I about to knit with light weight yarn...there was stitches to count too!!!  I swore that I'd have to frog this project more than once and/or I'd end up in a tangled mess on the floor along with my fiber!!!

However, things went incredibly smoothly.  The fiber was a joy to work with.  I highly recommend Pretty Please Yarns if you are interested in working with a new Indie artist. She custom dyed this superwash merino and it turned out AMAZING!!!  
Back Hank: Chocoloate Raspberries Front Hank: Brownie Points
The pattern itself was super easy for a first shawl!  I still cannot believe that I was able to finish this project in two weeks.  Had I not been cleaning out my school room (end of the year projects) I would have had it finished even sooner!!! 

I enjoyed the transitions from section to section.  Garter stitch can get boring quickly. However, this design had enough gradual transitions to make the pattern not only enjoyable but interesting.  I love watching the shape come together.  Really need to think that you only start out with a handful of stitches and end with something so cuddly! 

My mother is receiving the shawl today and I bet she falls in love!!!






I was worried about the contrasting colors at first.  But the end result has me happy as a lark!


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