Chrysanthemum Tea Shawl - FO

Last night I experienced what an athlete must feel when s/he sees the finish line. I finally finished the Chrysanthemum Tea Shawl I've been working on for a week.

I've always had problems with big projects. I love starting a project-I'm so excited whenever I have a new one lined up. Ideas keep jumping off the top of my head. But once I'm IN it, swimming in it, up to my scalp in it, I somehow lose interest and leave it hanging there unfinished. I know, I know, I should always finish what I started... But it gets difficult for me when there are no conceptual facets of the project left. I just love solving the puzzle of how to get things done, but not so much the fact that I have to actually DO it to get it done.

Whew! I did it!

I admit that I have a form of crochet ADHD. That's why I always go for the small projects. And that's also the reason why I love making accessories, and not apparel. I just have to have instant gratification!

So I was amazed when I finished this gynormous shawl for my lovely crazy wonderful mom. It got so big, that my mom said we could use it as a tablecloth when we have guests over. As if I would let her.


I made this shawl for my mom to wear to a wedding. She is to be the couple's godmother (what we call here ninang). The occasion's motif is celadon green. CELADON GREEN!?!? *said incredulously* It was extremely difficult trying to decide what exact shade that is. It seemed that every person had a different opinion about it. I sought help from Mimi of Crochet and Other Stuff, and she said the same thing, that a simple Google Images search comes up with a hundred shades of green. My eyes (and brain) hurt just trying to differentiate the subtle tones of all the greens I saw.

So I reached deep down and sought counsel with the girl scout inside of me. She said that I should make do with the materials I have, and that a true artist would be able to make it work. *said a la Tim Gunn* With resolve (and a nagging suspicion that I just might be bipolar), I marched valiantly to my yarn stash and made the best of it. I got the huge mint green mystery yarn from Baguio, and mixed it with crochet thread of a darker shade. I thought it sort of looked celadonnish. Besides, that was the closest I made to celadon, so I just went for it.

Looking at it objectively in the early stages, the mint green totally dominated the subtle sheen of the mercerized crochet thread. So halfway through, I used two strands of crochet thread (I also thought this just might add more swing to the garment).

I still cannot believe I finished this piece in less than a week, considering that I do have a day job. It was difficult yet addicting -- I often fell asleep with this blanketed over me, crochet hook still clutched in my palm.

Thank you so much, Doris Chan, for dreaming up this lovely pattern. I do hope that I did not fail you and/or put you to shame with this piece.