All those comments on Ravelry suggesting that the Hemlock Ring Blanket is a quick knit appear to be true for me as well. I'm now almost finished with my second skein of yarn (I purchased 5 skeins, and I plan to knit until I run out), so the flower motif in the center is complete and I'm beginning to see how the Feather and Fan pattern is going to play out.
To take these pictures tucked the needles under the body of the project and smoothed it into a circle. When I saw the result, it reminded me ever so much of some old round pillows that my Grandmother has. Hers, of course, are in those 70's oranges, browns and yellows and come garnished with big pom poms in the center (I think they may be crochet as well) but the idea is the same. The lacy quality of the center of this piece makes it not quite right for pillows, but it does give me food for thought. What if you expanded this pillow out by so many rows, then reversed the process and had the same motif on the other side? Or made two and seamed them together in a way that left room for a zipper? Clearly you would have to think about how to get a pillow form in and out, and how to block out the design, but I think the result could make for some very attractive couch accompaniments.
Yes, I am probably enjoying combining the macro mode and plane of focus selection with my new camera far too much. I hope you'll humor me. I've always loved to look at my yarns and my knits close up and the fun of doing it has more than doubled now that I have a new toy to bring to the party.
To take these pictures tucked the needles under the body of the project and smoothed it into a circle. When I saw the result, it reminded me ever so much of some old round pillows that my Grandmother has. Hers, of course, are in those 70's oranges, browns and yellows and come garnished with big pom poms in the center (I think they may be crochet as well) but the idea is the same. The lacy quality of the center of this piece makes it not quite right for pillows, but it does give me food for thought. What if you expanded this pillow out by so many rows, then reversed the process and had the same motif on the other side? Or made two and seamed them together in a way that left room for a zipper? Clearly you would have to think about how to get a pillow form in and out, and how to block out the design, but I think the result could make for some very attractive couch accompaniments.Yes, I am probably enjoying combining the macro mode and plane of focus selection with my new camera far too much. I hope you'll humor me. I've always loved to look at my yarns and my knits close up and the fun of doing it has more than doubled now that I have a new toy to bring to the party.
Wow. Those photos. I totally need a new camera.
It looks great--even as a flat pillow!
As long as the pillow had a casing, couldn't you use this pattern for a pillow? It looks like it would work for me, but I don't have to worry about a rambunctious toddler getting her fingers caught in the lacy bits.
I am making the Hemlock Ring right now too! I am nearing the end of my second skein of Cascade Ecological wool (480 yds each) and I'm on row 64 of Jared's chart. Beware the error on row 35 of the written instructions. It's simple, but it messed me up for a few minutes. Maybe you're already past it from the looks of things.
Are you using cotton? It looks great!
I think I found that little mistake too -- you're right about it. Not a big deal, but it can throw you off. I'm definitely using cotton. It's Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton.