Saturday 13 March 2010

Knitting catastrophe, anguished cry

Calling all you experienced knitters and wise workers-of-wool out there. I need your advice.

This is my son's baby shawl, lovingly knitted by my 'auntie' Olwyn 38 years ago. He was brought home from hospital wrapped in its softness.


It has been stored, clearly without due care and attention, acid-free tissue paper, or even a scrap of common sense, inside a plastic bag in the old mahogany tallboy.

Something dreadful has happened to it over the years, and I feel awful.


There are holes; they could be repaired, I suppose.


But there are also mysterious stains. Little ones, that have not responded to careful washing.


And a complete disaster in the centre.


What happened? What would you do with it now? Be blunt. I feel guilty enough to accept harsh verdicts with meek humility. I know I am an idiot.

11 comments:

Rattling On said...

It looks like iron mould to me. A mixture of lemon juice and salt can sometimes work and the Stain Devil No7 is for that purpose as well. You'd have to do a spot test somewhere to make sure it wasn't going to ruin the shawl. The other option would be to dye it so that the stains were invisible.
The holes look like moth damage. It's only happened to me once when we lived in Reading. Loads of jumpers were affecetd. I think it would be realtively easy to sew them up, but it wouldn't be completely invisible and you'd have to search for a goodish match with the yarn.
Do you have a friend who knits and would have a look at it? Or maybe a local yarn shop will know someone who knits lace shawls. I'd offer to help but would hate to not do a good enough job.

Inay said...

yeah...i will go with rattling on...a mixture of lemon...or fresh squize lemon....then try to find friend who can do the knitting...and it will be as new as good....

God bless you...

Jinksy said...

I'd probably knit a new centre. The 'holes' in the lacework look simply like pulled threads, that could be carefully re-situated. Othewise, I'd be tempted to frame only a small portion of it for posterity, then start again on a completely new one for future generations.

Jinksy said...

Have just written a long comment in reply, but now am not sure whether you simply have comment moderation on, or whether it's lost! If so, email me direct - I may even be daft enough to offer to do a repair for you - It wouldn't be the first odd thing I've rescued from the brink of dstruction...

rachel said...

I'll try the lemon juice, but am a) touched by the possibility of someone being kind enough to repair it (although I'm told on the highest authority that there won't be any future generations!) b) delighted with the idea of framing a part of it. I shall have a think......

Val said...

sorry totally useless on advice just sending sympathy ...

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Sorry to see something so beautiful damaged but it's not lost completely . First try the lemon , then ask a wool shop and , if there's no easy cure , rescue what you can .Even framing a piece of that very fine lace knitting would be lovely . Maybe you could find a way of including something about Olwyn .... a photo of them together might be nice ?
It might not appeal to your son now but in a few years it will and meanwhile you can enjoy it .
P.S. Don't throw away any scraps of you haven't used in case you find a use for them just too late !

Von said...

Mine had a new centre knitted quite successfully for the next generation.The stains need careful treatment,I'd consult an expert.

Anonymous said...

Just popping by to say I am not familiar at all with wool and knitting catastrophe and the repairs thereof, but boy, can I relate to the post about your son leaving. You wrote that so well, and the comments were lovely too.Sorry that I can't be more helpful with your shawl dilemma.x

Linens and Royals said...

No advice here, only sympathy. I would just wrap it nicely and store again. Do NOT throw out, it is a beautiful shawl.

Deborah said...

You will let us all know the outcome, won't you? Don't leave us hanging like newspapers do, reporting the bad news but never giving us a follow-up!
Thanks for visiting my blog, Rachel. I love your cat bios!

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