Wednesday, July 04, 2007

A prayer shawl with a ruffle


We will be leaving Friday for a 2 week vacation to Cape Cod, so I had to hurry up and finish the prayer shawl (pattern) that I have been working on. I wanted to start a brand new prayer shawl project to work on during the car rides. For this one I thought I would try a ruffle instead of fringe. I have never liked fringing anything and usually try to find an alternative without much success. I saw a ruffle prayer shawl on this blog (picture in the side bar) and it inspired me to give it a try. The ruffle I saw was crocheted, but mine is a knitted ruffle. It was hard to photograph, but I hope you can get the idea. I really love this one and I think it will be hard to give up. I'm tempted to keep this one for myself. I love the color and the ruffle. The yarn I used was Joann's Rainbow boucle and Lion Brand Pound of Love. For the ruffle I just used the boucle alone.Busy, busy now getting ready to go away. I must decide on what to bring to knit besides the new prayer shawl. I'm thinking of bring my fish blanket project...just hope everything fits in the car!

Happy Fourth of July and happy knitting everyone :)

Edited 7/23/07: (in response to a question by Lady S.)
How to knit a ruffled edge?

Well, I'm not sure if this is the correct or best method, but I will tell you what I did.

When I reached the length of the prayer shawl that I desired I knit in the front and back of every stitch (an increase) instead of binding off. I used just the boucle, not both strands of yarn. I did the same thing for 3 more rows and then I bound off. Depending on how big a ruffle you wanted you could continue in this manner until you liked it. I think you could also stop the increases and just keep knitting. I couldn't make mine larger because I knew I would run out of yarn.

Then on the other side I picked up 2 stitches for each stitch along the edge and kept on doing the increases as I did on the first side. Whatever was done to one side I did on the other.

Hope this makes sense. Please let me know if you have questions.

19 comments:

  1. I love the blue shawl, and I think the ruffled edge adds something different than most. Very pretty! Have a great time at the Cape..and hope all your yarn and needles fit in the car! Happy 4th and have a fabulous getaway!

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  2. Yes, do keep the shawl; it's gorgeous! Your knitted ruffle is very effective and quite lovely. Have a wonderful time at Cape Cod. Godspeed. :))

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  3. How beautiful!I would love to try a prayer shawl but I am such a slow knitter I am afraid it would take me forever. Have fun on your trip - I wish that I was coming along. Enjoy every moment.

    Travel safely, Hakucho.
    Blessings~

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  4. I LOVE the prayer shawl! I can see why you would want to keep it! Have a wonderful vacation. I think the hardest part of packing is knowing what knitting to pack and what things to accidently 'forget' warranting trips to multiple knitting stores ;-)

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  5. Very pretty shawl - love the ruffle! Have a great vacation!

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  6. You are right, ruffles are way better than fringes. I don't like fringes either. The shawl looks really good, can understand way you would want to keep it! ;o) Hope you'll find some place for all your knitting stuff, and have a wonderful vacation!

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  7. The shawl is so pretty, I like the addition of the ruffled edge.
    Cape Cod sounds wonderful!!!!! I have never been there but I'm sure it's beautiful. I have been to Mass. as dh's mother is originally from Salem so one year we went and also went to Boston, Marblehead and Gloucester. Love that ocean!! Have fun!

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  8. it's beautiful! I'd keep it too. ;) love the knitted ruffle too! Hope you have a wonderful time at the Cape. :) What are you gonna bring to knit??

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  9. ooh, that prayer shawl is beautiful! the ruffled edge is really nice.

    i hope you have a great vacation and that you survive not having internet for so long! : )

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  10. What a pretty shawl and I am with you on the fringing. I love your ruffles. Have a great vacation!

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  11. "say oooh" I love the colors. I would also find it hard to give it away. Happy crafting!!!

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  12. Very beautiful shawl! I love the colors and that ruffled edge! I also agree that you should keep the shawl for yourself. Have a safe trip!

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  13. The colors of the shawl are so gorgeous! I like the ruffle, too! Hope you have a great time on your trip :)

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  14. The ruffled edge is a great idea! Have a lovely trip.

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  15. I would much rather make a ruffle than fringe. Could you post how you made the ruffle? I am a knitter. I have two prayer shawls that are 1/3 done.

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  16. What a pretty shawl, and that's such a thoughtful thing to do. I love the combination of yarns, too. Great job!

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  17. The color is beautiful! (The pattern too!)

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  18. the shawl and the whale pics are beautiful!

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  19. I'm looking to make a shawl with a ruffled edge, and came across this one. It is absolutely lovely! Great choice of yarns, colors, and stitches!

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Thank you all for your comments! I really appreciate them. I usually don't follow up with an email, but if you do have a question please make sure you include a way to reach you within your comment so I may answer your question. Thanks and happy knitting :)

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