Preview: Mira River Wrap

So, here it is! I can finally share some photos of my very first design and I must say I’m pretty in love with it. It’s just a preview at the moment as I still have to write out the pattern.  You can expect early in the new year, or possibly before if I find the time to settle in and get it done.  It’s the holidays, so you know how it is!

I finished knitting it a few weeks ago and have taken it on holiday with me. As you can see from the photo below I came across some pretty cold weather and it kept me nice and warm while I was out walking my dogs.  I was a bit worried that it wasn’t going to come out the way I imagined in my head but it totally did, even better, actually.  While in the planning stages I initially planned for larger, more silver coloured beads, and at the last minute I decided to go with something more subtle.  It really made a huge difference!  The only problem is that  the weather has gotten drastically warmer and with temps in the mid teens (Celsius), I’ve not been able to wear it for the last few days.  We’ve actually been walking around outside in sweaters and not even getting cold. It’s almost Christmas, it’s amazing!

I decided to name this after a river near my hometown in Canada. The Mira River is a place that most of us Cape Bretoners (from Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada) hold pretty near and dear to our hearts. I’m pretty sure we all have a friend or relative with a cottage out there, or just drove out for a swim.  There is a very well known song written about it, which I honestly can’t listen to without getting teary eyed.  Ah, homesickness!  It’s also my go-to shower crooning song.  You can hear it here on YouTube.

When I chose the colours for this scarf and put it together with the beads, I saw the beads sparkling in the sun and it made me think of the sun on the water of the Mira.  So, the Mira River Wrap was born…

I was so nervous going into making this but I’m really quite proud of it for my first design.  It has given me the confidence to explore and experiment with new things and lots of thoughts for future designs. I hope you like it too!

If you are interested in making this wrap, here is what you will need:

• 3 balls of Scheepjes Alpaca Rhythm (I used the colour Polka – 656)
• 2.5mm needles
• 0/8 seed beads (also called miyuki / rocailles or referred to as size 8)
  I used approximately 300 silverlined ab Aqua coloured beads.  The beads are optional, I will also include instructions on how make the wrap without them, for those that prefer it.
• 0.75mm crochet hook
• needle for weaving in ends

This wrap is quite easy to adjust in size, which I will explain in the pattern. So if you want more shawl sized that is possible to make as well, you will just need a few more balls of yarn and more beads

This design is made with Sheepjes Alpaca Rhythm lace yarn.  You can find a list of retailers that sell it here on the Scheepjes website.  It is also available worldwide via Wool Warehouse*.

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!  Catch you in the new year!

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