Remember before I left for holiday I posted about my Autumn Dreambird Shawl and how I had become totally infatuated with the yarn? Well, not a lot has changed, I’m still head over heels in love with this project. I tried to work on it as much as I could while we were in France, but with places and people to see, and a pool that required my attention, I wasn’t able to get as much done as I had hoped. Even though I didn’t spend as much time as I thought I would with it, every time I picked it up I just sighed happily to myself because I just love the colors and pattern so darn much.
Well, when I say I love the pattern, what I mean is the design. The pattern itself I don’t love so much, it’s 22 pages of explanations that confused me to no end. There is a really detailed row by row description and a chart, neither of which made any sense to me at all. In fact, the description that was meant to simplify things seemed to just make it more confusing. I was given a tip to ignore 99% of the pattern and just follow page 16 and that made life a lot easier. I even went a step further and wrote out my own shorter version of that which is even easier to follow, so now I’m really on a roll!
Yarn info:
Scheepjes Invicta Colour (color 959)
Scheepjes Invicta Extra (color 1401)
The colors of the Invicta Colour still tickle me to no end. I feel like an excited child waiting to see how the next feather is going to turn out. I like that no two feathers are exactly alike, which is what I was a little worried about, that there would be an obvious pattern and the shading would be identical as you go through from one feather to the next, but it’s staggered a bit and I really love that. I think I’d be hard pressed to find a color combination I love more than the Invicta 959. It is so vibrant and suits this project perfectly, just as I hoped it would.
I find this yarn so deceiving. The first time I tried it was a while back for some rainbow socks (which I love and really should write about!). I wasn’t sure about the yarn at first because I’d just been working with a soft cashmere and by comparison the Invicta felt somewhat scratchy. I was having the same thing using it again after the insanely soft bamboo yarn I used for my Convergence top recently. If you are like me and like a soft yarn, this could almost trick you into putting it down because on first touch it does feel a little scratchy… BUT I was so pleasantly surprised after the first wash! This yarn softens up so nicely and is just wonderful and I am so freaking glad I didn’t let my weird wool issues give me the wrong impression of this yarn. My rainbow socks are so soft and warm and have quickly become my favorite go-to socks. I had them on in France and I was thinking about how lovely and soft the yarn felt on my feet, which was such a change from my first impression. So if you are inclined to be iffy about wool and the scratch-factor, don’t let this yarn fool you on first fondle as it almost did with me… it’s really great!
Right, so back to the pattern… I wasn’t sure how many feathers I was going to do, but after looking at other Dreambird projects and looking at where I am now, I figure I will probably stop at about twenty. I will reassess when I get to that point, or rather… I will have to see if I can force myself to stop. Between the my love for this yarn and sorting out an easy to follow pattern, I am enjoying this project so much that I really don’t want to stop. I think I will probably make at least one more in the future.
If you want to give the pattern a try yourself, you can find it here on Ravelry. It’s available in English, Dutch, German, French, Danish, Swedish and Italian, so there’s something there for pretty much everyone. More updates on this project soon! I don’t think it’s going to take me long to finish this now that I’m home with no pool to distract me (boohoo!).
This Dreambird is made with Sheepjes Invicta Colour / Invicta Extra yarn. You can find a list of retailers that sell it here on the Scheepjes website. It is also available worldwide Wool Warehouse*.
*Affiliate Link
Do you sell your simplified version? I have tried starting the Dreambird 3 times and have gotten farther along but the instructions are not intuitive for me and I’m struggling. I’d so much like some clarity. Thanks.
Hello
I too purchased the Dreambird pattern and find it confusing! I would like to purchased a pattern that I can
understand. I have had the pattern for about 3-4 years! Help! Please let me know how to forward payment! I can’t wait to start work on my Dreambird.
Thank you
Heather Thompson
Your shawl is beautiful! I’ve tried 4x to follow this pattern and still am having trouble especially when I get to row 28. I would also be willing to pay for the simplied version you’ve created. It would be most helpful.
Hi.. has anyone helped you with the pattern.. I’ve retarted mine 5x so far and always end up stopping at line 15 with 28 stitches left.. I’m getting so pissed and desperate at the same time.. can anyone help me with the dreambird pattern?!
I bought the pattern, cause i found the scarf soon beautiful! But i didn’t know how to knit at the moment. But i found a Russian video tutorial on Youtube with almost the same scarf (without the quill), that video plus a few others on “garter stitch”, “casting on” and “Casting off”and i’m now doing my 9th feather!!!!! For being my first knitted project, i’m quite happy with the results
I would gladly pay for the condensed version.
I would also gladly pay for the condensed version.
I just spent half a Sunday obsessing about this “Dreambird” shawl. Tried to purchase it but couldn’t and then came across your site, so thankful I did some searching. Yes please, like the others, do share your version. I have posted some of my humble collection on my site, too.
If you feel better, please contact me on my email address. It would be delightful. Thank you for the write up and your shawl looks great.
Would you send me the page who that lady send you?
” A lady from the Ravelry forums asked for my email address and mailed me a single page condensed pattern she had created and it was only once ”
Thanks you.
I followed the progress of your Dreambird and she is absolutely stunning!
Like you, I purchased the pattern and I am so confused by the poorly written pattern.
I live in Australia and the yarn you used is not sold here but I have managed to purchase it from a UK website. I can’t wait to get started now I have the yarn but I am not feeling confident with the 22 pages of confusion.
Would it be possible for you to email me a copy of the condensed pattern that you referred to in your blog please?
I have tried numerous others for help, including the author but unfortunately no answers have been received.
I sincerely appreciate your help, thank you.
I would be so grateful for the condensed version as well! I am in awe of this piece but the pattern overwhelms me!
HI! This pattern has me in fits! I would be willing to pay for the condensed version you created. Any chance I can get it? Thank you so much!
It’s such a beautiful shawl, but oh my, the pattern is badly written… Could I be extremely cheeky and ask if you’d be so kind as to share your condensed version. I did ask for clarification on ravelry and got quite a rude response :(
Beautiful yarn choice too!
I also confused by the written pattern. Would you mind sharing the simplified version or the single page condensed pattern with me? Thank you.
Use page 16 ( the one that has the rows for the regular dreambird pattern)if you purchased the pattern…the rest will drive you nuts! I have started this 4 times & am determined to get one done :)
Same boat- waited forever to start this project because it requires attentiveness and I have 3 boys here and a crazy life- finally start it, just to restart – on the 3rd restart this time and still can’t get past the first feather- any help on how we can get a shortened version too?
I too purchased the pattern for this to participate in the KAL, but I was put off by the way the pattern is written. I would love it if you would share your simplified version with me. I’ll be happy to send you my email confirmation from the purchase to prove I did indeed buy it.
I, too, would love to get the simplified pattern. I purchased the Dreambird from Ravelry and haven’t tried it yet but was overwhelmed with the length and all those markers!
Is there a crochet pattern similar to this?
I’m not sure, I’m sure somewhere out there, there must be something similar! Have you had a look on Ravelry?
This is not quite the same but still nice!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blinking-peacock
Beautiful!
Wow, that’s way more beautiful than I expected. Guess I didn’t have the right picture in my mind. That’s gorgeous!
I bought the 22 page pattern & I am struggling with getting started. I would love to get a simplified pattern. I would gladly pay for it. Can you tell me how to do this.