i’m so embarrassed—there i was, running on about the great progress i made on my second french quarter sock the other day, showing it off in an up-close photo and feeling good. i don’t know how many times i looked at the sock and the photo, but i missed a big boo-boo.
when i sat down to work on it later that night, i realized i had skipped six or eight rows when transitioning from the first pattern repeat to the second. it was missing a row of twining cables in between the bigger garter diamonds. sigh. ri-i-i-iiiipp.
i’ve got that straightened out though, and have moved on to knitting the lower leg portion. it looks much better now.
i even put is aside, once it was fixed, to work a couple of rows on my baby pine and ivy shawlette. in fact, i’ve done that for two nights in a row—stopped my late-night sock knitting to put a few rows on the shawlette just before i head for bed (i know, it sounds like suicide but i can’t help myself).
i just wanted to get it past that very early stage where the new cast-on so annoyingly winds itself around the needle and slows down the work a bit (i bet you never heard that one before).
i’m going to love it in this yarn, too. this is the smallest size—really, a large scarf—which i’m knitting in fibre isle magique. i’m testing one of sylvie’s new colors—this one is called magical twilight, a subtle taupey-plum color. once i get a little more fabric on the needles, the color should show up better.
i just worked on this piece a little bit over the last few days because i’m intent on preserving my late-night knitting slot for socks and my earlier evening knitting time has been devoted exclusively to the medium sized shawl that i’m knitting in my cashmere/silk handspun
the yarn has gradual color changes as i work through it and now we can see the effect of the browns that are closer to the end of the skein (i’ve been waiting for this moment, haha). i wound the yarn so that there would be more variation near the end of the ball, where the yarn is knit into the shoulders. the very long color repeats are at the hem, where the rows are much longer.
i’m not sure exactly how the color runs will play out, but so far i like what i see. i’m halfway through my first repeat of section B and the rows are definitely feeling much shorter—i should be able to make very good time on it from here. i might even get through all the rest of section B tonight.
and what’s that peeking through the background of the photo?
yep, it’s the big-daddy pine and ivy that karolyn knit with woolen rabbit tranquilo in colorway black velvet; i blocked it this morning.
just look at that depth—i love how the thin strands of each yarnover almost disappear to make that hem motif seem to float.
it’s a great red for this piece—not bright at all—it’s a stunningly sophisticated colorway that hits the perfect note.
the gorgeous, soft alpaca has such complex highlights and takes the dye with great depth.
there are the pine cone clusters i love so much, running up the back to connect the hem to the neck.
the complex structures that come together at the hem are echoed at the neck and shoulders as well, where the back panel ends
this is where i made a design change from my very first sample draft, in which i carried the body motif right to the neck
now we have garter stitch triangles in the shoulder section instead. what worked really well in the medium-sized first sample just wouldn’t work with the numbers of the mini and tall size, so a change had to be devised. i think this is a good solution that lends a “period” feel to the design. i can’t wait to see it on the dress form, once the shawl is dry.
now that you’ve seen all the details, wanna see the big picture?
although i am calling this the “tall” size in the pattern, it’s not as large as i have designed for other patterns. i think this is the limit it should be in size—i don’t like the idea of stretching the proportions any more than they are here. i doubt that the hem will hold its own if the body were to be knit any longer.
it’s a smallish shawl and i like it that way . . . i also have a sample from karolyn of the mini shawlette that i need to block, once the red one is dry. so maybe next time we’ll examine that.
it will be a little while longer before this pattern is ready for release; it’s a complicated design and i don’t want to rush any part of the production. i’m thinking that we’ll have it all pulled together before the end of the month, possibly sooner.
so, right now i have just two little shawls and a sock on the needles (and two longjohn socks waiting in the wings to be knit). i’m thinking that in a few days, i might be yearning for some variety . . . maybe some whimsical lacy mitts and a little beret? something light and pretty to wear for spring?
that’s the sort of thing that’s singing me a siren song today
(doesn’t the shadow of my back fence look like a quill edging?)
it’s really warm and beautiful here right now—55 degrees—a temperature we haven’t felt since november or october, i think.
we’ve had a huge swing in the weather since the weekend—it’s simply splendiferous.
the very first crocuses are up and the snow i showed you the other day has almost disappeared, shrinking away like a collapsed meringue.
i think i’ll need to ditch the exercise bike today and get out on the open road . . . see ya later.
39 thoughts on “now that’s more like it”
So when can I buy that pattern? I’ve got the perfect Chocolate Chambord Tranquilo sitting in stash for just this occasion.
For those of us who loved the original design with the body motif going right to the neck, so long as we stay with the medium numbers, do you think we could keep the body motif going or have you changed enough of the overall structure that it will not be possible (she asks while crossing fingers)….?
Can’t wait to get my hands on this pattern–yarn for it should be arriving any day now….
Cheers, Barbie O.
I had to laugh…I have been doing exactly the same thing as you have been with my knitting. Working on my FQ sock and then doing a few repeats on a shawl just before I call it a night. 🙂
Anne, you have outdone yourself with this shawl…it is stunning!
That shawl is just drop-dead gorgeous.
Waiting with bated breath for this one! And, on second thought, I may be treating myself to The Perfect Yarn for it instead of finding a less perfect use for some stash yarn…
Can’t wait for the dress form pics of the new shoulder transition. For now, I will remain on the fence as to which size to pick!
LOVE IT!
I finished my wing ‘o the moth and giving it to my grandma for her 90th birthday (90 deserves something big don’t you think?) and then today I finally started on the Ice Fantasia and am really enjoying it. It will most definitely be for me—I have been waiting to do that pattern for a long time. I think Pine and Ivy will have to be next. Beautiful.
The shawl is gorgeous, I love it! That color is just drool-worthy too, I’m a sucker for deep reds and that is just beautiful!
Gosh, I can’t *wait* for the release of the shawl pattern! 🙂
Thank you for showing those detailed blocking photos. I purchased blocking wires at least a year ago and I’m always wondering about the best way to use them. Your photos gave me some ideas of how to take better advantage of them.
I, too, like the ‘original’…..pattern all the way up. I hope there is some way that we could do that version on the smaller sizes. ?
The shawl is to die for 🙂 WOW!!!!
Ohhh I want to knit that! I’d better get cracking and finish Maplewing.
You knew that red would catch my eye! I was going “what’s the red? what’s the red?”. Lovely, and I agree, the right shade of red for this piece, although I generally prefer brighter reds in my own wardrobe. It all comes together so nicely here!
This shawl (in any size) simply takes my breath away every time I see it. Anne, you are magnificient. And Karolyn did a beautiful job of knitting the big daddy size.
Waiting impatiently for the pattern release.
You are the Queen!
You are so, but so prolific! Wonderful! The shawl is gorgeous!
Oh, wow. Wow wow. It’s gorgeous!! I love how everything comes together so beautifully in each part of the shawl.
:thud: That is one seriously gorgeous shawl! You can bet I’ll be adding it to my shawl pattern stash!
We had more snow down here, it’s going to be here until July I think! The kids are sled-riding in the park in hoodies and no coats – weird!
Pine & Ivy is stunning! You have done it again — you’re amazing.
doesn’t 55 degrees and sun feel wonderful? Once crocuses start, winter is done – mostly anyway…
Ohhhh, that shawl! I can’t wait!!
That is a lovely shawl! Is the one being blocked knit at a looser gauge than the one on the dressform? The motifs and the garter sections all look a bit more open than the one hanging. It’s a beautiful feat of lace engineering. 🙂
that shawl is like a piece of sculpture! and I have some beautiful crocuses out in my back yard underneath the blueberry bushes. They are lovely….just sayin’ =)
Wow…that shawl is a “must make”!!
Anne- The shawl is magic-
…is that Fibre Isle? wow.
Wow! The shawl is like a pair of angel wings. And you must be a divine knitter to be able to knit lace before bed and fall asleep afterward. As a beginning lace knitter, my lace knitting time usually involves some swearing and muttering – not at all conducive to bedtime. Beautiful work, Anne!
Wow, that’s going to be one gorgeous shawl! And that green shading into brown yarn is just yummy.
I made my selections for Loopy’s Spring Fling, and hope to make it into your lace class. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
It’s supposed to be in the 60s here in Missouri today. I’m headed out for a walk at lunch.
This is stunning! I can’t wait to knit it.
That shawl will jump to the top of my queue when it is released. It looks like a really fun knit!.
Hello Anne,
I’m so glad that you posted about your progress with the shawl. It’s been all I can do to hold back emailing you to ask about it. It’s just wonderful.
That is one of the prettiest necklines I’ve ever seen on a shawl. And the back ain’t bad, either!
(Neither are those crocuses. We still have snow cover on ours, but soon…)
I can not wait until your Pine and Ivy pattern to be available. It has to be one of the most gorgeous shawls I have seen yet. I am not sure what yarn I will knit this in, but I *will* knit it!
Thank you!
I really appreciate the detailed pictures of the blocking. I wouldn’t have thought of the blocking wires on either side of the center motif, but how perfect! Thanks for being such a good teacher.
Really now. That Pine and Ivy shawl is absolutely gorgeous! Love the color also.
Can hardly wait for both shawl patterns to be released! I went back and looked thru your posts to find out info on the fiber you used for the handspun but didn’t see anything listed…can you tell me what you are using and the colourway? Thanks!
that couldn’t be more beautiful! so gorgeous! the color is perfect too.
Love how you also dislike the winding stage. I thought it was just me. Once I’m past that stage everything goes a lot smoother for me.
I love that red! Can’t wait to see the pattern, but I don’t mind waiting until it’s ready 😉
That beautiful delicate white shawl is the most beautiful shawl you have ever made. I can’t stop looking at it. What a talented artist you are to compose yarn to look like air. pat
No one can do blocking shots like you, anne! Can’t wait to see this one on the dress form.
Comments are closed.