Tuesday 10 June 2008

Random Act of Kindness Revealed

Ta da!


This is a capelet (I'm not actually sure that capelet is a word, but I've been using it a lot this week, so if it isn't it should be) that I knit up for the friend of a friend who is getting married this weekend. I've never met this friend of a friend (FoaF), or in fact know anything about her, but on Thursday last week my friend (the one I do know) mentioned that the FoaF had her wedding dress (a lovely strapless, non-meringue type dress) but was having trouble finding a scarf or something to wear if it gets chilly.

It occured to me that I had a squillion skeins of laceweight yarn and a love of knitting lacey things so I asked my friend if she thought FoaF would have any interest in something I made. A resounding yes was the answer - and so off to knit I went.

Being short of time (the wedding is this Saturday) I decided a full stole or shawl wouldn't work and so I hit on the capelet idea. I had some Kid Silk Haze in cream and some glass beads which I thought would work nicely with the ivory colour of the dress (although that's a bit iffy, I've seen a photo of the dress online, who knows what the colour is in real life). I decided on the feather and fan pattern as it meant I'd have a scalloped edge without having to knit on a border (time saving!) and 5mm needles because I thought big loose knitting would give an airy look (and would make the knitting faster!).

Basically, I crochet cast on about 70 stitches, knit 5 stitches on each end in garter stitch throughout, and divided the remaining stitches into 12 pattern repeats of feather and fan. I increased in each pattern repeat every second row for about 16 rows, then moved to increasing every forth row, then to increasing every 8th row until I had about 50 rows completed.

I knit a couple of plain rows, then added the full row of beading (that took a looooong time as there were about 450 stitches to be beaded!) on the right side, then a knit row on the wrong side. Cast off with a lace cast off to preserve the lovely scallops.

Then to finish it off I picked up the cast on stitches, beaded each of those on the right side, then a knit row on the wrong side. Finally I cast off that edge with a picot cast off.

I used a little less than 2 skeins of KSH, and about 520 small beads.

I gave the capelet a fairly lenient blocking -- I stretched the lace and just shaped the scallops by hand -- no pins!!!

I don't think these photos do it justice - I'm very pleased with the final result. The beads add a lovely bit of sparkle to the hem and neckline that the photos just don't pick up. If I were to make another one I would do fewer garter edge stitches (2 or 3) and probably add a picot to give a bit of interest to those edges. I'd also consider doing 2 rows of beading around the neckline.

The capelet is winging its way to the bride now. Of course I realise (as I have through this process) that it may not work with the dress or it might not be to FoaF's taste -- but I'm ok with that. I figure even if it doesn't feature in the big day she can pass it on to one of her friends in her own random act of kindness and EVENTUALLY it'll get its moment in the sun!!


Baby Surprise Jacket Collar
Emily asked in the comments how I did the collar on the BSJ. It was pretty straightforward really, after seaming the sleeves I picked up about 16 stitches along the left neck edge, a similar amount along the back neck edge, and then 16 stitches along the right neck edge. Don't worry about the exact number of stitches - 16ish is fine. Then I knit about 15 or 16 rows in garter stitch and cast off. Voila! A collar!

Wyoming!
One of the things I love about keeping the blog is when someone new stumbles across it and comments on older posts. Some of you might recall the crisis of confidence I faced last year when it seemed IMPOSSIBLE to find a Wyoming-ite to read the blog. Well, Janet dropped by a couple of days ago and she is indeed from Wyoming! Way to go Wyoming! She filled me in on the Wyoming knitting scene and recommended a good little LYS if I'm ever in the neighbourhood. Thanks Janet!

25 comments:

Rachel said...

Wow--that is so beautiful! Even if the FoaF can't use it on the day, I have no doubt she'll love it! How could she not?

kathryn said...

Ohh!! Your capelet is stunning!! And so effective. Thank you for giving the directions for knitting it

Opal said...

What a beautiful thing you did and the capelet is gorgeous! :-)

Sue J. said...

Count me in on your Wyoming readers! I'm in Cody.

Janiannie said...

The Bride is so fortunate to have a FoaF like you...one that is so generous with her time and stash! I'm sure she will be so touched by your kindness and blown away by such a beautiful gift.

Yarndancer said...

The capelet's lovely!!! I bet the bride will be absolutely thrilled with it. She's so lucky to have a FoaF like you!

fleegle said...

Oh my! It's exquisite! And you are so generous with your time--how lovely of you to do that for her.

So, I am still waiting for my Chinese coat :)

Ceci said...

That is BEAUTIFUL. You're talented as well as generous. What a lucky, lovely bride she'll be. :)

LittleBerry said...

Beautiful and a lucky girl, I'd be thrilled if someone I didn't know did something like that for me :o)

Linda said...

The capelet is beautiful, I hope it is to her taste as it would look lovely with a strapless dress. Let us know what she thinks!

Jacqui said...

Lovely Soo, just lovely. Well done. Can I ask where you put the increases? This one is a winner, be sure to put it on Ravelry, wont you.

Cinders said...

That is absolutely beautiful. You are so talented. what a lucky bride.

z's momma said...

The capelet's beautiful. I'm sure the FoaF will love it.

Angelika said...

It seemed like you enjoyed making it whether it's going to be worn at this wedding or not. It's very beautiful and a nice use of your resources.

Lacefreak said...

What a lovely thing to do! How could she not love it? I think it is utterly beautiful!

florencemary said...

It's absolutely lovely, Soo; the beads look beautiful and I'm sure just weigh it down nicely around the edging.

I want to be your FoaF!

Anonymous said...

this has got to be one of knitting's indiana jones moments. what a feat of daring, and how masterfully accomplihed...when will we see the movie????

Anonymous said...

What a talented and generous FoaF you are! the capelet looks heavenly.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely stunning. Should I ever tie the knot, I will know when to come. What a lovely gift!

bittenbyknittin said...

I often say, We knit for someone, but sometimes we don't know who.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! I'm in awe of how you came up w. the capelet, got a gorgeous stitch pattern and knit it up so beautifully!! You are a wonderful soul to make this - I'm sure it is very much coveted now! Terry

Batty said...

It's beautiful! That's very kind indeed.

Anonymous said...

That's gooooorgeous. <3 Random gifts, both giving and receiving, are the best kind.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so so so much for the beautiful caplet. The FoaF loved it and although the weather was playing its part (for the first time ever) she has asked me to say thank you and that she will treasure it!

Kathy Kathy Kathy said...

That's fantastic, especially for a quick, make it up as you go knit.