am I mad?

[shirlthegirl43]

Having just found out that Madmax's dear friend (who was best man at our wedding) and his partner are expecting, I am seriously considering knitting a 'Wedding Ring Shawl'. This is a christening shawl knitted from wool which is the thickness of sewing thread and fine enough to pass through the wedding ring.

I have been doing a bit of research, and what I read makes me more tempted to do it. As I love knitting challenges, I have fancied trying my hand at this for a while and now I feel I have the perfect excuse to give it a go.

The question is (as I need to look at practicalities too) would anyone (new parents particularly) consider paying a fair dollop of wonga for a special shawl or christening robe knitted in Shetland Lace? Please take into consideration that making a ring shawl takes an expert knitter at least 400 hours of rapt concentration.

[binley100]

That sounds an almighty challenge. Good luck.

[Jeanied]

What a lovely idea! A friend of mine had a lovely shetland shawl knitted in very fine wool - it passed through my wedding ring as well. I don't think she paid a whole lot for it though and it was nowhere near as big as the full ring shawl but was lovely and delicate all the same. Why not knit a christening shawl using the heritage knitting wool? I googled a few patterns - probably the same ones you did.

[shirlthegirl43]

I have a couple of patterns but not certain they would make ring shawls Jeanied.

I am currently halfway through making a reproduction of the shawl that was made for us for Aranthos - in a finer yarn to see what the effect is.

[zazen999]

Do you have 400+ hours available to engage in said Rapt Concentration?

[piskieinboots]

Do you have 400+ hours available to engage in said Rapt Concentration?

No, she's a gardener

[Jeanied]

I would contact them Shirl - like I say the little shawl didn't look as fine as the ring shawl on the website - but it passed the ring test which I feel is a good indicator of its fineness. For all those wondering what we are talking about here is the website
Heirloom Knitting - Welcome to fine Shetland lace knitting, traditional knitting, free knitting patterns, projects, wool and more.

[pipscariad]

Hello Shirl

Yup, you're mad That said, sounds a lovely idea. As one who struggled to knit a dishcloth I bow down to you for even thinking about doing it.

I am a great believer that there is a market out there for just about anything, you just have to find it. However, if it would take you 400+ hours, then it would be a hefty amount of dosh And as Zazen said, have you the spare time??

Good luck if you decide to go for it, it would be a truly special gift.

[shirlthegirl43]

Do you have 400+ hours available to engage in said Rapt Concentration?

Well I don't work as such for a living - and now I am freed up from driving Madmax about.

No, she's a gardener

Why thank you Piskie - not sure I would ever claim that title!

... For all those wondering what we are talking about here is the website
Heirloom Knitting - Welcome to fine Shetland lace knitting, traditional knitting, free knitting patterns, projects, wool and more.

That's the site I found too, some totally wonderful things there

Hello Shirl
Yup, you're mad That said, sounds a lovely idea. As one who struggled to knit a dishcloth I bow down to you for even thinking about doing it.

I am a great believer that there is a market out there for just about anything, you just have to find it. However, if it would take you 400+ hours, then it would be a hefty amount of dosh And as Zazen said, have you the spare time??

Good luck if you decide to go for it, it would be a truly special gift.

I have been knitting since I was old enough to hold the needles so it doesn't scare me (much)

[Jeanied]

Shirl have you seen the price of a full size one! £415! There are loads of patterns on e-bay: from what I can remember of lace knitting, once you see how the pattern is formed it is easy to scale up or down to suit. You could be in for a niche market there! And some of the wool colours are scrummy!

[shirlthegirl43]

Ooh, where did you find that Jeanied? I have been looking for patterns on ebay and have bought a couple but haven't found 'the right one' yet.

[Jeanied]

Here is the ebay page of patterns I saw - I'll go off and find the page of shawls for sale (not ebay this time) back soon...
shetland shawl, Crafts, Clothes, Shoes Accessories items at low prices on eBay.co.uk

Here we go - this site sells the shawls
http://www.shetland-knitwear.com/shawls/index.html

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks for the links, I have some of those patterns. I think I will splurge and purchase some fine yarn (one ply and gossamer) and have a play.

It is nice to have something to do while I wait for the seeds to germinate (the hens have done all my weeding and digging)

[Jeanied]

Make sure you post piccies, Shirl - I'm getting all excited now!

[shirlthegirl43]

I am about sure I am going to start with this kit The Gibbie Shawl Kit - Jamieson and Smith, Fair Isle Knitting, Shetland Wool, Knitting Patterns, Jamieson & Smith, Yarn and see how it goes from there.

I was hoping that some of the new parents and grandparents on the vine would give some input on their thoughts relating to heirloom christening shawls / robes. I wondered how many families still have these passed down through the generations and how many people would start the tradition in their family.