I love the Rowanette Exchange. It's a really lovely exchange, organised by Polly, full of lovely people knitting really lovely items. Each year there's a theme and this year's theme was Seasons. I think this is my third exchange. But this time I think I love it more than most.
Because of what arrived in the post for me.
Yes. A shawl.
Isn't it stunning? Here's another view, just because I want to show off how pretty it is.
It was knitted for me by Thomas and it's an amazingly generous and thoughtful gift. I had said in my questionniare that my favourite season was Spring. I think it's perfectly suited for the light cotton knits that I tend to like - there's often a chill in the air so you need something to just keep you that bit covered without being really warm.
Thomas clearly had a good read of my blog and chose the perfect colour for me - it's very neutral and will therefore go with all of my clothes. Here's how I like to think that I will always look when wearing the shawl.
The shawl is made from a 50% silk and 50% linen mix from . It's slightly stiff at the moment although I can see that it will soften (and Thomas mentioned this in his accompanying note) as it gets washed and used. And trust me, this baby's going to get plenty of use.
Here is a close up of the shawl.
And another one just because it's so beautiful.
You can read a bit more about the shawl .
I don't think that Thomas followed a pattern. For those of you who don't read his blog, Thomas is a very proficient and gifted lace knitter so, unlike me, he's not much in need of detailed instructions when it comes to knitting shawls. Me, I need to be told when to breathe when I am knitting lace.
Thomas was very generous as he not only made me the shawl (thank you, thank you again) but he also included the following goodies in the package.
This is some of Thomas' own hand spun yarn. It's a gorgeous grey and I am toying with what I will do with it. And then this:
It's a sock darner. Considering the amount of sock yarn that I have in my stash, I may well need it one day...
And finally there was more than a bit of chocolate.
Suffice to say that it was sort of like Christmas.
Wow ! That shawl looks stunningly beautiful draped over your shoulders. What a wonderful gift.
An altogether happy post.
Wow, this shawl is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for chilly spring days. You are looking so elegant wearing it with a dress, but I can also imagine it as the dot on the i when worn with jeans and a simple shirt. Always again I am so much overwhelmed by the beautiful art and generosity of knitters, I completely understand that you are a very happy 'exchanger' now.
Posted by: Krawuggl at September 8, 2007 07:22 AMI'm sitting here thinking...Thomas Rocks!! What a gorgeous shawl! Imagine the work he put into that surprise!!!!
Posted by: Jane at September 7, 2007 11:27 PMGorgeous shawl!
Posted by: brooke at September 6, 2007 12:28 AMWhat a beautiful shawl. I saw it on Thomas's blog but of course I didn't know who the lucky recipient would be! And here's hoping you don't NEED to use that darner too often! (maybe just with store-bought socks... :)
Posted by: Meg at September 5, 2007 07:38 PMWhat an amazing gift! It looks so beautiful on you, Amelia.
Posted by: Amy at September 5, 2007 03:24 PMThe shawl is beautiful and so lovely and big. What a clever astute person Thomas is. And I too think your hair looks lovely too.
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah at September 5, 2007 10:17 AMAbsolutely beautiful - you're very lucky. I like your hair as well!
Posted by: Mary at September 5, 2007 06:28 AMWhat an amazing gift, it looks great on, the whole shawl/dress/balcony thing really works! Lucky you, getting Thomas.
Posted by: Sam at September 4, 2007 09:28 PMHow stunning! It suits you so much too. What a treat. Love Helen
Posted by: Helen at September 4, 2007 09:16 PMamelia... your hair. swingly gorgeous love! :)
and that shawl you wear so sophisticatedly, I am jealous!
bises
It is beautiful, what a lovely gift.
Posted by: yvette at September 4, 2007 11:48 AMBeautiful shawl, and you wear it so well! You have been spoiled with this swap!...
Posted by: francoise at September 3, 2007 11:19 PMWhat an absolute beauty!!!
You're one very lucky lady.
Love, Chris
Glad you like our shawl. One addendum though: I knit it after a pattern: the Shaped Triangle by Katie Nagorney & Ann Swanson published in A Gathering of Lace' by Meg Swansen. I may be good, but not that good.
Posted by: Thomas at September 3, 2007 07:06 PMThe Shawl is gorgeous, what a fabulous lace knitter Thomas is. Gorgeous colour too, You model it well, it looks so nice on you. Very elegant and stunning :)
Posted by: Tracy at September 3, 2007 12:59 PMWow! Gosh, what a generous and great knitter Thomas is. the shawl is beautiful.
Posted by: Lin at September 3, 2007 08:01 AMit's so gorgeous... stunningly gorgeous.... it's amazing that the shawl looks so gorgeous here but it's even more lovely in real life.
Posted by: polly at September 3, 2007 07:27 AMThe shawl is gorgeous & it looks so nice on you. Lucky you!
Posted by: Ann at September 3, 2007 01:23 AM