Monday, August 20, 2012

leaves of grass


















this is jared flood's beautiful pattern, 'leaves of grass', made with lion brand fishermen's wool. the circle shape of 'leaves of grass', an elizabeth zimmerman pi shawl design element, is one i love. the circle has as many meanings as it's infinite shape. some of the meanings i like are: the circle is the sun, the moon and her children, it's sacred, a circle is the center point of focus, a circle is endless love.

i am so happy it's finished, i'd hoped to be done before leaving on our trip and i made it with only two days to go!  i don't know which i loved more, the knitting or the end result, i love this blanket. jared's pattern was so beautifully written and the design so truly simple to make i'd like to cast on another soon, this time in the recommended fingering weight wool. this pattern was named for the pretty leafy motifs and after american poet walt whitman and his stunning collection of poetry. i still can't believe what two sticks and a ball of yarn can become... it does feel like magic. ravelry notes found here. joining with ginny here.

and now i'd better get busy packing and maybe wind up a bit of yarn for our trip, my sister and i are SO
excited, we're going to alaska! miss you, see you soon! xxx lori

89 comments:

  1. It's so beautiful Lori (I'm always staggered at the wonderful photos of your masterpieces on the beach... AAAAGH there's sand on it!) have a magical trip. X

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    1. thank you so much! haha, sand! it shook out. :)

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  2. What can one say apart from WOW. It's just so spectacular and, as you said, hard to believe that it has been knitted. Must have taken you a long time? Enjoy your trip. Joan

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    1. thank you joan! this pattern is not complicated, but does give amazing results. it took about six weeks to make :)

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  3. That is absolutely amazing! I agree, it's hard to see that it has been knitted. It is very beautiful

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  4. Oh my goodness Lori, that is so beautiful! How many stitches? how long did it take? I can't imagine ever making something with so much detail!!
    Have a wonderful time in Alaska with your sister.

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    1. you can make this emma, it truly was not complicated, the charts are simple and the directions clear, easy to follow. it took about six weeks to make. thank you! :)

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  5. That is so beautiful I just had to go and buy the pattern! Can't wait to make an heirloom!

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    1. thank you pearly queen! this was intended for an heirloom gift, but plans have changed. i hope you enjoy making it!

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  6. Dear Lori This is such an amazing knitted project....absolutely beautiful and incredibly clever too.....it looks just perfect in that creamy colour. You are an inspiration! Have a wonderful trip to Alaska...I look forwad to reading about it when you return!
    Helen x

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    1. thank you helen! i loved knitting this it was a joy from start to finish, and i agree the pattern is clever and brilliant!

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  7. Simply breathtaking. Have a safe and wonder filled trip. It will be spectacular.

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  8. It's amazing! Simply stunning

    Have a wonderful trip!

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    1. thank you mim! this would be beautiful made with one of those lovely m.t. lace hanks you have!

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  9. Beautiful!!!
    Have a fantastic journey!!!

    xxx Alessandra

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  10. WOW! That's some amazing knitting. Have a wonderful time in Alaska. My parents went a few years ago, did the cruise then the land tour. They still talk about it all the time. They loved it so much. Enjoy!!!!!!!!! I'm sure you will spoil us with great pictures :)

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    1. thank you leanne :)
      we are doing the land part first (with a couple days on our own before the tour begins) and then the cruise. can' wait!

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  11. Your shawl/blanket is *gorgeous!* I wish I had the patience for those things. (:

    Have an absolutely spectacular time on your trip - I can't wait to hear all about it! *hugs*

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    1. thank you melissa! you can make this, the knitting is fun and interesting, one stitch, one chart at a time. and of course you can take your time, i was hurrying to meet a deadline, next one i make will be much slower i think. :)

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  12. WOW! That blanket (at first I thought it was a shawl) as absolutely stunning! Fantastic!!

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  13. Two sticks, a ball of yarn and lot of talent. Wow your blanket is so amazing! Have a great time in Alaska!

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    1. thank you andee! i don't think i'll be able to sleep tonight, so excited!

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  14. Your knitting is exquisite, Lori! I very much admire JF's designs, and love the way that you've translated the pattern into the heavier yarn.

    Bon voyage to you as you get closer to departure time.

    xo

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    1. thank you frances. i love jareds designs too, he is a brilliant designer and pattern writer, everything is so well written out and explained. he made this a pleasure to knit!

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  15. Stunning! Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Stunning!
    Have a wonderful time away with your sister xo
    Looking forward to hearing all about it (it's a trip on my "wish list") ♥

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    1. thank you deb! we are very excited here, i hope we can sleep tonight!

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  17. Gosh Lori,it's so beautiful.I can see the love you placed in every step.xo

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  18. blond, sand, cream colored yarn......these images portray a glorious concoction of white in all its glory.

    wishing you the most wonderful journey - i know you and your sister will have the best time♡

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    1. thank you amanda! i am so thrilled to be going with my sister. so blessed.

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  19. It is gorgeous!! Have a lovely trip.

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  20. that is so stunningly beautiful. wow.
    and your words are so lovely. thank you

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  21. Your knitting takes my breath away! This pattern is so meaningful and I find our connection even stronger--Walt Whitman is one of my favorite poets (along with Emily Dickinson). Have a spectacular trip, enjoy the scenery, but moreover, I know you'll cherish this trip with your sister. XOXO

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    1. thank you susan, i love that and maybe you'll make one too? ww was partly why i chose this pattern. yes, going with my sister is the only thing more exciting than seeing alaska. :)

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  22. Lori its so delicate and light looking it reminds me of Queen's anne lace ,
    looks like it could float away like a cloud
    Alaska should be glorious; I know it will be.
    xx
    julie

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    1. you would be surprised to feel it julie, it's actually quite heavy and sturdy, such a contrast with the lace. we are so excited, leaving soon!

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  23. Stunning!!! I cannot imagine how many skeins that it took! I will have to check the ravelry notes. You did such a lovely job and before I forget-Have a great trip!

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  24. Dear Lori, that is the most beautiful shawl! Amazing pattern and white colour is perfect for that! I love your photos and you look so happy! I wish you wonderful travel with your sister - it's going to be one more unforgetable journey! You know that we are here waiting for you back home with photos and lovely memories! x Teje

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  25. Oh my gooooodness! How beautiful. Just the thing for your cruise amongst the Alaskan glaciers! I'm so inspired. :)

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  26. Lori, This is stunning. Beautiful, beautiful. I also love seeing your sweet smile.
    Have a wonderful trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!xoxo

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  27. Lori, you are a master knitter and that is a masterpiece! Wow : ) Wish you were closer and could tutor a bunch of us in how to knit things of this level of sophistication. Maybe a Yarn Along gathering one day..? The photos of you beautiful as always. Have a wonderful trip, savour every moment x Mia

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  28. oh it came out so nicely lori! what a great knit for you know what... : ) love the symbolism. makes me think of the circles of the sun and moon ii drew on ezra's chakboard today (the first day of school for local kids). i wasn't thinking, just wrote his name in the middle and intuitively decided to make a sun and moon for our school board. i like that you think about these things consciously. i want to make more of an effort at this in our lives.

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  29. Thank you again for taking the time sharing your Nambia information! (Especially as you are packing for Alaska!) You are wonderful!

    Safe - but ADVENTUROUS TRIP! Can't wait to see photos!!!!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  30. So so so beautiful! It's hard t say which image I lvoe most, but I think it's the one with the sub coming through the spread out knitting as you look at it.
    Have a fabulous trip!

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  31. That is incredibly beautiful! Have a wonderful trip and I can't wait to see your photos and read about your new adventures in Alaska!

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  32. what an amazingly beautiful piece!!!! i love the sampler-like quality to the tiers of the pattern.....lovely!!! have a marvelous trip! can't wait to see pictures!!!

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  33. Have a wonderful trip! Enjoy seeing your sister again!
    This white mandala is just perfect . No wonderyou enjoyed the process and the result. Looks like a [perfect white lotus flower (mandala) to me ;)
    ♥M

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  34. I thought you were talented but this takes the biscuit. You're amazing! So happy to be able to catch up! Xxxxxx

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  35. What a beautiful piece! Two sticks and yarn can indeed become wonderful things, with the magic of the wielder. And you, Lori, have magic fingers. Beautiful.

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  36. Hi Lori! It's just beautiful. What talent! You did an amazing job. Have fun on your trip. Can't wait to see pictures. :) We are all moved in. I need to update my blog with some pictures. Have alpaca fleece! Need to figure out what to do with it. Think of you every time I use your coffee cozy! Take care - Susan xoxo

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  37. It is magical how sticks and string can turn into a work of art. This absolutely is! I'm amazed.

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  38. I am truly speechless Lori- you are a fiber master.
    Have a lovely trip up north.

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  39. You are a wonder and an inspiration!
    Enjoy your trip!!!

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  40. Wow, what a work of art! That is the most beautiful piece of knitting I have seen in a while. Who could resist wrapping themselves in such beauty and warmth. Jacinta

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  41. Wow beautiful...that must have taken some patience Lori. I love your pants too...or is it a skirt...they look so comfortable.

    I hope that you have an amazing trip...I'm quiet envious. It's one of the places I've always wanted to visit.

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  42. Today is the first time I have linked to your blog and what I have seen today almost made me cry....so beautiful! You have done an amazing job and should be so proud of yourself. Gorgeous, just gorgeous!

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  43. I am gobsmacked. What a piece of art. You always manage to find patterns that make my heart beat a little faster. Such patience too! It's beautiful.

    Have a wonderful time away. Look forward to hearing about it upon your return. :)

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  44. Lori, I'm not sure I've ever seen something so beautiful! You have been busy.

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  45. Holy Moley, that is one amazing and beautiful blanket!

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  46. Wow Lori, what a beautiful, beautiful blanket. The pictures are amazing too, how brave to take it to the beach!!
    Have a wonderful trip..

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  47. Stunning Lori! I love it. You, and your blanket are both beautiful!

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  48. Absolutely stunning Lori! It is sooooo beautiful. Have a great {safe} trip.

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  49. Lovely! I have that exact same yarn and you've now inspired me.

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  50. Safe travels filled with joy!

    Sending love, love, love,

    S

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  51. Leaves of grass is so very beautiful! You did a wonderful job and the photos are fantastic. Have a lovely journey! :) Tammy

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  52. I have been waiting to see this beauty finished! Oh this is just the most beautiful ever Lori.

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  53. Absolutely beautiful, Lori!

    Have a wonderful journey!

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  54. Lori, This is beautiful. Good job.

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  55. Safe journey and I expect a lot of amazing pictures will be popping up on your blog when you get back. Can't wait to see them!

    The pattern is gorgeous and so much more than anything I could ever do lol! I love how talented you are at making things.

    Leaves of grass...now you have me craving Walt Whitman poetry, Lori... :)

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  56. Crochet with RaymondSeptember 1, 2012 at 6:21 PM

    stunning Lori, a beautiful work of art and so inspiring :O)

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  57. oh Lori~ it's simply Stunning! To possess your talent! good golly girlie! you so rock~

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  58. It really is magical :D And you are awesome with 'sticks and string' x

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  59. Oh Lori,

    This is just breathtaking. Beautiful work!

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xoxo lori