After I finished my niece's jacket and hat, I didn't have much time for all things crafty. Then, in October, my mother told me about a shawl she had attempted to make for her mother. As crocheting is not Mom's first craft choice, she got stuck. First she asked for help and set then directions. Then, at Christmas, she just handed me the box of supplies and asked me to make it for her, to give to her mother.
The pattern is called the Pearl River Lace Wrap. Here's a link to the designer's (Doris Chan) blog entry. The pictures below came from Doris Chan's site. The pattern is available as a free download at NaturallyCaron.com.
I'm slowly working my way through this. It's been a little challenging. I've never worked without a foundation chain before (this one starts with foundation single crochet (US)) or broomstick lace. I figured out the foundation stitch row (actually kind of liked it by the end of the row). The bobble/popcorn/cluster stitches are fine, but the broomstick! Using that gigantic plastic knitting needle to pull up the lace loops while managing the hook, lead thread and cloth is frustrating and keeping everything straight for 2 rows without twisting it is hard when you start that first row! I can only manage about a 1/2 row of the broomstick lace rows before my hands cramp up.
So it's going. SLOWLY, but going.
Part of the slow process, too, is that I keep getting distracted by other craft ideas. We found out in October that we're pregnant with our little girl (due in June!) and I keep finding baby things that I want to make, too! And I rediscovered my bobbin lace pillow during one of my recent cleaning fits, so look for a future post on bobbin lace, too.
Of course, all of that can wait until after I finish Mom's Pearl River wrap. I made a self-imposed deadline on that project of Easter weekend (when I'll be visiting my parents) which will give Mom enough time to get it to her mother by Mother's Day.
