dovecote shawl

Posted on Posted in patterns

when i named this shawl, i was thinking only that the triangular shape and gingerbread-type patterns reminded me of that spot in the eves where the roof peaks—the spot where birds like to hang out.

once i actually looked up the term on the internet, i found so much more interesting information about dovecote structures and history (and we haven’t told david yet, but now i want one of my own). you must take a look after you finish here; it’s fascinating (who knew there was such a thing as pigeon racing??).

there are some dovecotes that look similar to my original vision of them, but generally, they are much more elaborate and tailored to the pursuit of raising birds. my very favorite photo is this interior shot—i was completely pleased to discover this pattern of pigeonholes, or boulins, entirely in keeping with the fabric of my shawl.

shown above: size tall in canopy bamboo/alpaca/merino blend from the fibre company, colorway cat’s claw; click here for a complete list of retailers.

shown below: size petite, also in canopy, colorway, macaw, knit by our good friend karolyn

to purchase pattern or view complete pattern information, please click here to visit the product page in the knitspot pattern shop.

flower pin shown with shawl on this page was purchased from perl grey.

kate and courtney at kelbourne woolens enthusiastically sponsored this project (and the upcoming partner stole, birnum wood, to be released later this week) by providing the luxuriously beautiful fibre company yarn shown here. thank you so much for your generous support!
karolyn and jocelyn eagerly dove into the test knit for this piece and whipped through them so fast it made my head spin. jocelyn used some lovely shetland in a natural color.

karolyn, BTW, highly recommends this yarn and this pattern—just ask her (she’s knit three of them and i swear she’s all set to do another if needed).
(psst, we might do this design later in a baby shawl . . . just sayin’)

david raced the dark and the impending rain on friday evening to bring you these lovely photos and did an excellent job at that.

40 thoughts on “dovecote shawl

  1. It’s gorgeous, and as for pigeon racing, here in the UK it’s well known, in fact the Queen has, or used to have, pigeons, not kept personally by HRH you understand, probably a serf in Sandringham. Many an unhappy hour in my youth was spent working out average speed and times after a race, and trying to persuade the little blighters to come into the loft to have their leg ring put through the time clock….now back to the swallowtail and a large coffee….

  2. Stunning – as usual. I really enjoy your photo shoots. I always feel like I’m looking at a family member’s photo album. You do such a great job of inviting us into your knitting life that everything you create just feels like I’m cheering for a favorite sister. Go Sis Go! I think that’s what’s so special about our knitting blogging community. Thanks for being such a fantastic participant. Happy knitting – Jennifer

  3. During WWI my father was a child and caught pidgeons and doves, raised them, and sold the birds and eggs to neighbors during that difficult time. I wonder if that’s one reason why I am so fond on the doves that feed in our yard daily?

  4. Oh I love it! I like the slight geometry of the patterns and how they form a soft lace instead of a harder overall shape. I’m just finishing up a shawl right now, this one might be the next one for me! I’m off to look at the yarn options.

    I can’t seem to get enough lace these days, I’m sure you understand THAT! 🙂

  5. A new shawl released on my birthday? How kind of you. 😉

    It’s lovely! I really enjoyed refreshing my memory on dovecotes, and am determined to have on, too. Should be required again, no?

  6. Just beautiful, as I knew it would be! And the photos, too, they really show how much you love it. I just want to knit all of them! Tell me, how do you get to be a faster knitter???

  7. Oh, Anne, that shawl is perfection! It’s truly beautiful, (and looks wonderful on you, too!) Your ongoing descriptions of the yarn make me want to drop everything and cast on this minute! It’s going in the queue soon, for sure.

  8. So… you grow this great big fecund garden, and process the tons of lovely things coming out of it, and design incredible stuff (new shawl!wow!), and knit, and write a blog, and cook great things. I want to know, do you have more hours in your day than I do?!

  9. Hi Anne – I just downloaded the pattern for this gorgeous shawl – I am going to knit it for my MIL for Christmas – she is elderly and cold all the time so I thought I would knit it in DK or sport yarn – would you suggest using a size 7 or 8 needle for this yarn or larger? This will be my first “real” lace pattern project so I am excited!!! Thanks for your help – Jill

  10. PS – I agree with Kay from New Mexico – I think you are a creative genius and WONDER WOMAN combined in one.

  11. Another favorite shawl. I’m so far behind in knitting all the shawls of yours that I want to!
    This one is really calling to me!

  12. I can certainly see why this glorious shawl kept your attention, and would call you from across the room.
    so sweet, and like the doves curling up in the rafters, I’d want to curl up under this one.

  13. Oh, and how difficult is this pattern? Is it lace knitting on all rows? I have to have lots of uninterrupted time to do that kind of knitting on a big project!

  14. OMG…this is spectacular. I have one other in queue after the one I’m currently working on…but this will be next! Thanks so much!

  15. Now that is just lovely–WOW. And I am SO looking forward to the wrap version later this week! I didn’t read the comments from the previous post, but for slugs I would suggest diatomaceous earth. It’s made from ground up insect shells and it sharp and unappealing to slugs and other pesties-but I don’t believe that it hurts earthworms.

  16. I know I keep saying this, but this shawl really is my favorite. I like the weight and the substance of it, as well as the beautiful pattern. And of coure the yarn–nough said.

  17. I’ve fallen off the shawl bandwagon temporarily and am working on some socks and have a ton of WIPs in my head SCREAMING at me, but wow — this new shawl has me in tears, seriously, it is so gorgeous.

    I have some honey colored Blue moon fiber lace yarn … yep. Will start very soon.

  18. what a nice shawl, it is really sad that i can not knit so far as i can buy patterns….but i am working on it 🙂

  19. I just love this blog. You are a wealth of information and inspiration.

    Please tell David your readers appreciate his haste. The pictures turned out lovely.

  20. This one is so classy-and the pictures are perfect for this piece. I wish I had more time-you’re an inspiration. My knitting mojo was fading…bought some new yarn and now seeing this-gets the fingers itching! Thanks!

  21. Wow! Perfect on a chilly evening to knit while reading Hans Christian Anderson during breaks with tea! Like a fairytale!

  22. Long time admirer and lurker popping up to say that there is even pigeon racing in your area. In fact, our big race for the year is this Friday, weather permitting. Here’s the link if you are interested. gneorace.com

    Unfortunately, our lofts look just like garden sheds with balconys, not the beautiful European structures, or beautiful lace shawls.

  23. Did you see the Glasgow doocots? The designs have deteroriated over the years. However, you have brought back the original lovely works of art through your use of shapes, structures and textures.

  24. Ooh! It’s gorgeous! I love that big size 🙂 But I’m loving my small size, too — I just can’t wait ’til it’s cool enough to wear it!

  25. Wow Anne. You outdid yourself. The Dovecote is gorgeous. I had to chuckle though, cuz I found out we have BATS living in our dovecote (not any more – they were persuaded to find a new dovecote). The blue one by Karolyn is gorgeous too.

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