Happy Saturday everyone!  I just moved last week so I haven't had much time to start anything new and exciting.  But today I thought it would be nice to talk about the many faces of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crashing-waves">Crashing Waves</a>.

I have knit countless of these shawls and shawlettes as gifts.  Every time I make one the personality of the recipient shows through the yarn choice and color.  I have used everything from hand-spun, hand-dyed, to stainless steel.  Here are some images of the versatility of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crashing-waves">Crashing Waves</a>.

In this version I used less than one hank of <a href="http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/prairie.html">Madelinetosh Prairie</a> (100% superwash merino, 840 yards) in Vintage Frame (discontinued colorway).  This is the large version featured in the pattern.  Here is my lovely little sister modeling the shawl.

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1287.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-482" title="IMG_1287" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1287-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="678" height="508" /></a>

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1268.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-480 aligncenter" title="IMG_1268" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1268-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="678" height="507" /></a>

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1349.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-483" title="IMG_1349" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1349-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="684" height="911" /></a>

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In this version I used one strand of <a href="http://www.habutextiles.com/A-20">Habu A-20 Silk Stainless Steel</a> in 7 Yamabuki Orange and <a href="http://jadesapphire.com/">Jade Sapphire Lacy Lamb</a> in NY109.  I thought that the Lacy Lamb needed a little Umph! which is why I chose to pair it with the Silk Stainless.  The Silk Stainless is one of my favorite yarns, it seems like I have every color in my stash and I want to use it in everything I make.  Here are a few images of the two held together living merrily in harmony.

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1067.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-478 aligncenter" title="IMG_1067" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1067-1024x724.jpg" alt="" width="679" height="479" /></a>

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Crashing-waves-6.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-493" title="Crashing waves 6" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Crashing-waves-6-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="688" height="515" /></a>

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You can see how well the two yarns work together.  The Lacy Lamb has such a delicate feel and look and is paired with the Silk Stainless.  The Silk Stainless hugs the Lacy Lamb and adds a little bit of what I call "crunch factor" to the texture.

In the next version of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crashing-waves">Crashing Waves</a> I used my own hand-spun.  The roving was a 50% silk 50% merino blend.  I dyed it "Grace's Green" in the <a href="http://www.pagewoodfarm.com">Pagewood Farm</a> dye studio where Robin Page has been very kind to invite me several times for "dye-day."  I spun the roving into a lovely single ply that is thick and thin in texture.  In the second image you can see more of the color variegation and inconsistency of my spinning.

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1696.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-489" title="IMG_1696" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1696-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="688" height="916" /></a>

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1691.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-485" title="IMG_1691" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1691-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="688" height="917" /></a>

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I was only able to get a couple of good shots of this version of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crashing-waves">Crashing Waves</a>.  I knit this one out of <a href="http://www.koigu.com/yarns.html">Koigu KPM </a>(in three different colors).  I know it's hardly noticeable.  I used two shades of maroon (one dark and one light) and one shade of light blue.  When I ran out of the dark maroon 2239 (in the second to last stripe) is switched to the lighter one 1120 (you can see this better in the second image).  Then I ran out of the lighter maroon, so I bound off in the light blue 1053.  I definitely had a lot of fun knitting this shawlette.... there was never a dull moment, I was either always changing color, working the lace, or having fun with the short-row bind off.

<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0203.jpg">
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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0199.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-487 alignnone" title="DSC_0199" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0199-1024x685.jpg" alt="" width="752" height="503" /></a>

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0203.jpg"><img title="DSC_0203" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0203-1024x685.jpg" alt="" width="752" height="502" /></a>

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Here is yet another version of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crashing-waves">Crashing Waves</a>.  I did not knit this one, my friend Hanna knit this for <a href="http://www.wildfiber.com">Wildfiber</a>.  I would say this is the most interesting version of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crashing-waves">Crashing Waves</a> I have seen so far.  I love love love this one.  She used <a href="http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/tosh-merino-light.html">Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light</a> in Faded Chinos alternating every two rows with <a href="http://habutextiles.com/A-172">Habu Textiles A-172 Spiral Slub</a> in Wine.  Here is my other friend Jess modeling the shawl.

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0247.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-466" title="DSC_0247" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0247-685x1024.jpg" alt="" width="685" height="1024" /></a>

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0251.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-465" title="DSC_0251" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0251-1024x685.jpg" alt="" width="689" height="459" /></a>

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In the photo below you can see how the striping looks up close.  When she got to the lace Hanna only used the <a href="http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/tosh-merino-light.html">Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light</a>.

<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0247.jpg">
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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0237.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-467" title="DSC_0237" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0237-1024x685.jpg" alt="" width="689" height="459" /></a>

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And last but not least.  This past spring I made myself a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crashing-waves">Crashing Waves</a> Shawl.  I used <a href="http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/prairie.html">Madelinetish Prairie</a> in Stovepipe and made myself a full shawl version (and I still have yarn left over, that Prairie goes a long way).  To make the shawlette larger just continue to increase in the established manner until the desired length before the lace portion.  Make sure that your stitch count is a multiple of 6+1.  I also extended the lace portion of the shawl by working a few more repeats.  Here is Jess modeling the shawl version of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crashing-waves">Crashing Waves</a>.

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0224.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-476" title="DSC_0224" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0224-685x1024.jpg" alt="" width="685" height="1024" /></a>

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0228.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-469" title="DSC_0228" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0228-685x1024.jpg" alt="" width="685" height="1024" /></a>

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<a href="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0213.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-474" title="DSC_0213" src="http://graceakhrem.com/wpdev/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/DSC_0213-1024x685.jpg" alt="" width="703" height="469" /></a>

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I hope you have enjoyed the many faces of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crashing-waves">Crashing Waves</a>.  I would love to see your version as well.  Please share your pictures on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crashing-waves">Ravelry</a> and in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/grace-akhrem-designs">group</a>.

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Also don't forget that until August 31st (Pacific Time) you can receive 30% off the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ruffled-ascot">Ruffled Ascot</a> pattern on Ravelry by using the promotion code rufflyruff.  Enjoy!