Secret Wedding Knitting

Whilst preparing for the wedding I was also knitting secret presents for my two bridesmaids. Both of them read my blog, so I knew I had to keep the presents under wraps until after they had been gifted. One of them is also a Ravelry member, but luckily didn't realise the present was for her.

I managed to snaffle some Posh Yarn one Sunday in April.
Posh 4ply Laura (a Cashmere and Merino mix) in "Puck" seemed perfect for Kerry - she had a green dress is almost exactly the same colour for her sisters' wedding at the end of last year.

I already knew I wanted to make another Ishbel, and this seemed the perfect pattern for a present. I knit it mostly on my commute to work, alternating it with a pair of socks. I did however manage to leave my copy of "Whimsical Little Knits" on the train one day - grr - at least I have the pdf version as well.

I knit the smaller stocking stitch section, but did an extra repeat of the lace charts.. however this meant I didn't have quite enough yarn to finish the edging, I ended up casting off about 3 rows early... but it doesn't really matter that much!
It is big enough to be a proper shawl, but hopefully also small enough to be worn as a scarf too.

Once present number 1 was made I had real deliberations over what to make for Lauren... eventually I decided I really should make the same thing for her too. Then Sally challenged me to knit a shawl in a week - so I didn't get bored with knitting the same pattern for the third time - and so I was finished in enough time before the wedding (otherwise I could see myself sewing in ends on the morning of the wedding!!) I wound the Posh Yarn Daisy 4 ply (Bamboo and merino) in Shanghai colourway and started knitting on 16th June. I knew I would only be able to manage the shoulderette version of the shawl within the week - but thought this would be more wearable as a scarf for Lauren in Vancouver.

I cast off 6 days later on the 22nd June and blocked the next day.
This bring the total number of Ishbel's knitted this year to 3 so far... an addictive and easy shawl project.