Shades of Grey


I used to love black. 

For years and years I couldn't get enough of black.  If I was buying clothes, I'd see something I liked and my immediate thought would be "I wonder if it comes in black?"

Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but my feelings towards black have definitely changed.  I don't hate it, but I have far fewer black items in my wardrobe than I used to have.  I think one pair of trousers, one skirt, a couple of basic t-shirts and one smarter top that I bought last week.  That's it! 

My neutral of choice is now grey, which I used to hate.  Grey reminded me of school uniforms - particularly when combined with red - which is what I wore for 4 years on a daily basis long, long ago.

But these days I LOVE grey, all shades from the palest pearly grey to the darkest charcoal.  I find it as versatile as black and far more flattering to my skin tone. 

With that in mind I currently have 2 grey projects on my knitting needles.

The first is Kim Hargreaves Wallace cardigan, from her Touching Elegance book. 

Source

The book and yarn were a birthday present from hubby back at the beginning of September. I'm on the home straight with this, even though it doesn't really look like it from this pic.   The grey is darker than it appears here.

Please excuse Rosie rudely exposing her underwear!

I actually have the other front knitted too - just not sewn on yet.  One sleeve still to knit, then the making up, and knitting the collar, cuffs and pockets.  I think I'm only going to do the lower pockets.  I'm probably a bit too well endowed for breast pockets. We'll see about that nearer the time.

I'm also going to need to alter the sleeves a little.  The one I've knitted is almost exactly the right length for me at present.  However, there's still a cuff to be added, which will make it too long. I haven't decided how to resolve this yet, but I've got a couple of options in mind.

This is lovely, easy TV knitting.  In fact I did quite a bit during Strictly Come Dancing last night.  (How good were Denise and James?!)  The pattern is really well written, as are all Kim Hargreaves patterns. 

She has a new book out, called Enchanted.  I'm seriously tempted by it, as usual there are some gorgeous patterns included. 

My other grey project is completely different.  It's a large, lacy shawl/wrap in a very pale grey. 

The pattern is Pachelbel by Carol Sunday of Sunday Knits. 

Source


As soon as I saw this on Ravelry a week or so ago I knew I had to knit it.  I'd been searching for a while for a lacy scarf/shawl pattern but hadn't found anything that floated my boat, then this popped up as a newly released pattern. 

The pattern gives instructions for 4 different sizes; a scarf, a stole, a shawl and a wrap.  The one shown in the pattern photos is the shawl.  I've cast on for the stole, but I'm now debating starting again for the shawl.  Although I do want this to be something that can be worn as a big scarf with a coat, so perhaps I've got the right size on the go.  It's looking as if it's going to be about 20 inches wide. 

There's not much to show on this so far, just a few inches.  It looks as if it's going to be pretty though. 



I'm using one of my favourite yarns - Colourmart's Shiny Cotton fingering weight, a blend of cotton, cashmere, angora and viscose.  It's extremely soft without being the slightest bit itchy.   

I saw a lovely grey felt cloche hat in Marks and Spencer yesterday, which I think would look gorgeous with this - and with my blue and grey coat when I make it!

4 comments

  1. What a beautiful shawl, and love the cardigan too. My staple colour is also grey - not deliberately, just seem drawn to it.

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  2. You have been busy. I love grey too. Black is great but it doesn't really suit me, I tend to get 'are you tired?' comments if I wear it close to my face, so I've got a couple of skirts but tend to wear more flattering coloured tops, grey is just more forgiving. I love the half dressed photo of Rosie, Doris is sporting a vest top to cover her modesty! I loved Denise and James too, I bet he'd be thrilled to get a bit further through the competition this year. I think Kristina deserved extra points for her costume - very brave! :)

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  3. What an amazing shawl----seriously coveting that one. It's everything in my dreams that a shawl should be & of the right snuggle size. If I were you I would make it big, especially if you are an accomplished & speedy knitter!

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    Replies
    1. I've got several inches done now, but I'm still debating starting again with the next size up. I'll get on and finish the cardi while I decide!

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