FishyKissKnits

Kate's Shawl CKAL

The sign up sheet for Kate's Shawl CKAL (katesCKAL) is now up and running.  To enter you must be a member of Ravelry (no cost involved), and then a member of the group Kate's Shawl and All.

My own shawl, HRH Kate's Shawl is just one of the many beautiful versions to choose from for this CKAL.

There are 4 prizes so far:

• first prize of $100 gift certificate from SUNDARA YARN
• 2nd prize is a $75 GIFT CERTIFICATE from Carol Sunday of SUNDAY KNITS
  
• 2nd prize is a skein of Sundara silk lace, donated by me
• 3rd prize is a book donated by Judith27 called Gossamer Webs - The History and Techniques of Orenberg Shawls by Galina Khmeleva and Carol R. Noble.

Over 10 designers on the group page have been given their own thread, and they have each designed their own version of Kate's Shawl.  All are unique and all gorgeous.  Such talent.  And let me say, it isn't easy to knit, test and pattern-write a design in under a 1 month deadline, and each have accomplished this.  Congratulations to all of you.

There are patterns for sale, free patterns, crochet patterns. There are Kate patterns, Kate-like patterns, crocheted Kates, and Katelets. The list of shawls if very comprehensive and if you can't find a shawl you like here, well    ....   you just don't like shawls.

There have been 2 podcasts done about our group, Knitabull's Episode 11 Where's the Sunshine, and Prairie Piper's  Episode 46 Kate's Shawl and other Ruffles as well as a mention on Susan B. Anderson's blog.  All very exciting.

The group itself has grown from just a few members on the first day to almost 1300 members in less than a month, and it's been very exciting to administrate and moderate.  I have 2 wonderful moderators, Jane and Leslie who have been very helpful and encouraging.

We hope you'll join us.  To access the sign-up sheet link you must be on Ravelry and a member of the Kate's Shawl & All group. 

HRH KATE'S SHAWL

 

Modelled by J. Ginsler

Finally.  I have to say that this project has been an all-consuming labour of love.  Just ask my husband.  We were on vacation for most of the pattern writing, and he didn't see very much of me.  Fortunately he is good natured, and very encouraging.  Three cheers for my DH.

So.  To business.  Here is my HRH Kate's Shawl.  Designed to honour the beautiful shawl worn by Her Royal Highness, Catherine,  the Duchess of Cambridge who wore a gorgeous machine-knit green ruffled shawl shortly after her wedding.  She caused a huge stir in the knitting community.  We were all rushing to try and come up with designs to reflect just how we SAW it.  Thing is, every photo I looked at seemed to have a different stitch.  I know that isn't possible, but I started to think that it would be unique to write a pattern showcasing a number of stitches.  The thought of many yarn bases came later, as requests started to pour in to our group site Kate's Shawl and All.  Things like: "I can never find anything in a lace weight."  or "I know that worsted won't even be thought about".  I'm paraphrasing, but you get the idea.  When I put out a call for test knitters, and they each came back with a different yarn they wanted to work with (5 testers, 5 bases) and that clinched it.

The pattern is worked up in 2 ply lace, sock, fingering, light sport and worsted weights.  OMG.  In addition to that, I knew that I wouldn't be able to knit the shawl, and write the pattern in a timely manner, so I designed a 'Katelet' (shoulder shawl) version which is actually an extra small size.  This worked well, as the other testers were working small, medium and large sizes.

There was also talk about the ruffle.  I designed a mock rib stitch ruffle for the purists who saw that in Kate's version and used that for my Katelet.  But I knew that others would want a plain ruffle with a bit more flounce.  Hence the stocking stitch version of the ruffle as well.

All this as well as the work having to do with the Kate's Shawl and All, has kept me very busy.  I expect I'll get quite depressed now with so much time on my hands.

Hmmm..... what to do next.  Anybody see a baby bump yet????

Purchase the HRH Kate's Shawl pattern   

Pattern & images © 2011 Esther Budd. This pattern is for personal use only and may not be used for commercial purposes without written permission.