Christmas Gift Project – Haruni Shawl

Yay, I can finally blog about one of my Christmas gift projects!  Remember the Mystery Project? My mother in law phoned us today to let us know that her package had arrived in France (whew! I was getting worried!) and she had opened it already. Tsk tsk, naughty!  That means I can blog about it now!

I made her a Haruni Shawl, which I can safely say is the most difficult thing I have knitted to date.  It required massive amounts of concentration and a lot of time.  I even took it to Canada with me to complete because I was so afraid I wouldn’t finish it in time to begin my next project.

haruni1

I chose a really soft Alpaca wool from Drops, it was so lovely to work with.  I can’t wait to make something with this wool again!  I loved the color and my husband and I were sure that it would look beautiful on my mother in law.

Starting out it really didn’t look like much of anything.  I was knitting and paying strict attention to the pattern because I was so terrified to make a mistake.  The process for making the shawl is knitting it, then soaking it in lukewarm water, and stretching it out to make the shape.  Before stretching it out it’s really difficult to see if the pattern is forming properly, which rattled my nerves something fierce!

haruni2

There were a lot of stitches involved, towards the end there were over 500 and I had to count each and every one again and again because I was so afraid I missed one or added another along the way.  Part way through I went and bought some stitch markers and that made life much easier.  I still counted obsessively but I was a little more confident while doing so.

I wish I’d taken more photos during the process but I was so busy working on it and trying to get it done that I just didn’t think of it.

While I was in Canada I took advantage of the space in my mother’s house and used the rug on her dining room floor to stretch and pin the shawl.  I also had her to help me, which made it a little easier. I could have done it on my own but it helped to have my mother there to tell me it really does look the way it should.

Yeah, I’m needy like that.

haruni3

As I started stretching it out and pinning it, I saw the pattern starting to take shape, which was a huge relief.  It was like the moment of truth after a month of working hardcore to get this done.

haruni4

This is the final product! YAY!  I was so proud of myself when I had it all stretched out and saw that I actually did do it right! Wahoo!  The color is different in this photo because I had to use the flash, the first two photos are a better representation of the lovely purple color.

When my MIL phoned this morning she said she loved it and was wearing it around all day yesterday.  I was tickled right down to my toes!  This was such a big project for me and was such a learning experience, it makes me really happy that she likes it and will wear it.

Even though it was difficult, I really enjoyed making this shawl.  I think it’s something I would definitely do again, either this patterns or others like it.  Especially in the alpaca wool, that stuff is awesome.

Merry Christmas, Nicole!  I’m so glad you like it! xoxo

Check Also

Twisted Roots MAL: Wrap-up Post and Blocking Info

Well here we are at the end of the Twisted Roots MAL, and I can …

Twisted Roots MAL: Week Three News and WIP’s!

Hi everyone! Well, here we are already in Week Three of the Twisted Roots MAL …

19 comments

  1. The shawl is beautiful! Your MIL must have been thrilled :)

  2. That shawl will worth very very expensive in the future, given the love and sweat you put doing it. Very well done!

  3. Love the gift. Beautiful piece. I know what you mean about counting obsessively. Made myself a shawl, not as delicate as your MIL’s but had to count the stitches in several places. Then found myself counting all the time, even when I didn’t have to . . . I couldn’t seem to stop counting. I tried switching to counting in Spanish but my feeble mind would drift back to counting in English.

  4. That is very impressive! And blocking really is magic!

  5. This is GORGEOUS!! I love it :)

    Merry Christmas to you and Xander! :)

  6. Hey Tammy,
    Saw this on my phone and had to come see it on the bigger screen. It’s beautiful!!…and what a great color!

    O and you getting Stu’d is too cute!!

  7. That is the most amazing thing I have ever seen and I come from a family of knitters, as you well know. Wow, Tammy. You should be soooo proud of yourself. Have a wonderful Christmas and all the best in 2011. Love Karen

    • Thanks Karen, I wish I’d taken advantage of all the knitters in the family when they were around. Man, the things Nana could have taught me! Hope you guys have a great Christmas! xoxo

  8. Wow. That’s amazing. I would not have a clue how to even start knitting. Did you tell her Santa will be sending her a lump of coal next year for opening her present early? :p

  9. What a beautiful gift!

  10. Beautiful job Tammy..Hey now,Im gonna have to get inline for a scarf or something too! Im so proud of you..it’s beautiful :)

  11. So nice!!!! I totally want one too!! If you can make that, I have no doubt you can make socks!!

    • Thanks Gen! Once I am finished with the Christmas projects, I’m TOTALLY going to tackle learning to make socks. If you really want a shawl I would happily make one for you in the new year. Just tell me what kind of color you’d like :)
      There are also lots of patterns for scarves with similar patterns if you prefer that!

Leave a Reply to Kimmy Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.