blackbird wingin’ in the dead of night

Posted on annePosted in designing, lace/shawls, projects

it’s true; i cannot put this project down.

i had to make myself go to bed at 3am today but only because i had to get up and teach classes this morning.
really, i thought the edging would be the death of me, but, it turns out, i’m enthralled with it.
i have never loved applied edging so much (or at all, truthfully). this one is fun and keeps me on my toes so the rows are (excuse the expression) flying by. i am more than 30 percent through that last stage.

the edging as taken straight from the book only was written for one direction, so i had to chart the stitches for opposing side, which involves a mirroring of everything and a reversal of RS/WS rows. since the edge has an obvious bias in one direction, it cannot be straight around the whole bottom in (excuse the expression) one fell swoop. i’m working the “new” edge first just to make sure i reversed everything correctly.

i’m in love.

have i mentioned how gorgeous the raven yarn is?? i mean, i know you can see how beautiful the colors are, but the yarn—wow. i’m working with the merino laci, in colorway thraven
it’s very fine, very soft. it has enough twist for great stitch definition

but not so much that it feels stiff.
there is tons of yardage on the skein; no worries about running out or having to weave in ends.
and the weight . . . well it’s weightless actually.
i’m really getting close to being done with the shawl and i’ve only used about 4.5 ounces of yarn. i’m thinking the final weight will be somewhere around 5 ounces. how amazing is that?

i know a lot of you are waiting with bated breath for a final tot on the yardage, but i won’t have an answer for you til the power lady sings. it’s in the ballpark of 1200 yards.

meanwhile, the pattern testing is going swimmingly—vanessa, nan, and vicki have only had a very few corrections, and those were mostly to the wording of the instructions. sexay, right?
and the length is looking good.
the last thing on the punchlist is figuring out the name. and i’ll admit it, i’m stuck. nothing has really jumped out to grip my shoulders and shake me, saying “I’M the one!”
(i’m still wa-a-ay open to suggestions, especially those of a celtic flavor, so have at it)

next it’s on to swatching and patterning the rectangle version, which will be worked up in a different raven clan fiber and color. can’t wait!

one more look before i move on? (pleeease?)

addiction has been hard on my other knitting. during class times i have worked on some socks and mitts, and today i finished off this snow on cedars mitt in off-white handspun.

the fine romney fiber is from my friend beckie’s flock and i spun the yarn last fall in rhinebeck. mmm, nice memories in this one. it needs a nice soak and a bit of blocking to finish it off.
i am desperate to start some more mitts soon . . . my hands are already almost constantly cold. i need everyday ones. it’s hard for me to use the lacy ones for everyday . . i dunno why (upbringing, maybe?)
ahem. as soon as the raven leaves the nest.

i HAVE been playing around (a little) with this beautiful yarn from deb at fearless fibers

this is her wool/mohair blend in the inspiration colorway.
it’s a scarf underway, and soon we shall see more of it.

meanwhile i have finalized the pattern for another one of her beautiful yarns

and all seems well with it. the heel flap and turn worked out beautifully, after some minor correcting (thanks angeluna!), and i think we have a done pattern here. look for its release on the 23rd.
until then, deb is offering kits with yarn in the greed colorway shown below in the sneak-peek photo.

kits can be pre-ordered by contacting deb in her shop.

well, i better go do some swatching, or i won’t be able to get back to my edging til way later.

89 thoughts on “blackbird wingin’ in the dead of night”

  3. This is one of the most beautiful designs I have seen and I love you way you captured the raven theme. The winged edge effect is gorgeous! I can’t wait for the rectangular version to see what you do next.

  7. If you want to go with Raven and Celtic…Fiach means raven in Gaelic (also can be used as Fiacha which I think is just a femininized version but I’m not sure on that one I read it somewhere, and Fiachu who is a legendary ancient king in Ireland).

  8. The Raven is looking gorgeous. Stop tempting me. A stole too! Names I am no good at, I will leave it to someone else. You do so much! It amazes me. I have trouble enough knitting one project. It is all looking great. Pretend you are royalty, then you can wear lace mitts. They don’t care what they wear. They don’t keep things for ‘good’.

  10. Cerridwen – goddess of the moon and femininity. Known for her cauldron which holds a magic potion granting wisdom, knowledge, and inspiration…

  11. Great link to some great raven mythology…(scroll down for all kinds of great names!)
    http://druidry.org/obod/lore/animal/raven.html

    Charles de Lint has recurring characters in his novels called “the Crow Girls”…Zia and Maida. Very much the Raven/crow/trickster/protector/healers, with an edge. Since his writing very much crosses worlds between our world and Celtic and Native mythology, I thought I’d throw Zia and Maida in the ring!

  13. Names … Amontillado (check spelling, as in “cask of …”)? Nevermore? Gilead? Tamerlane? Grotesque and Arabesque? Elmira? Cairnes? Berenice? Ligeia? Rue Morgue? Annabel Lee? Ulalume?

  14. I love it! I also love Elizabeth’s idea for the name. I has to resonate with you. Wow. You are amazing. Oh, and one of my favorite songs:

    Blackbird singing in the dead of night
    Take these broken wings and learn to fly
    All your life
    You were only waiting for this moment to arise
    Blackbird singing in the dead of night
    Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
    All your life
    You were only waiting for this moment to be free

    Thraven is waiting to be free. . . !

  15. I am simply looking forward to the pattern going live for us mere mortals to make.

    Stunning as usual.

    You really inspire me to want to be a better knitter so my skills will do your designs justice.

  16. If I had any confidence in my lace skills at all I’d be all over that shawl. I’ll just drool over the photos instead!

    Names… whenever you say “Blackbird” I think “Four and Twenty” – as in “four and twenty blackbirds baked into a pie” and “Morrigan” – explainations here: http://inanna.virtualave.net/celtic.html

  17. OMGoodness! It truly is lovely! I am starting Bee tonight, I have Aspen and a stunning pattern and yarn from Chris, but here I am contemplating putting another shawl on my winter plate, as this one may just bee too much to pass up!

    Beautiful work as always!

  18. I like Elizabeth’s name too! I also like “Nevermore”, there’s always “Lenore” isn’t that the woman’s name in the poem?

    I looked a few things up in my Latin dictionary in case you are interested: Raven: Corvus; Winged: Alatus; feathery: Plumeus; Feathered: Pennatus. Or you could take any of those words and tweak them to your will… I won’t tell!

    It’s a truly beautiful piece. I can’t wait to see it all blocked out. Goodness! My heart is going pit-a-pat.

  19. Congratulations on a gorgeous design!
    How about “Nepenthe” for a name?

    Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
    Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
    `Wretch,’ I cried, `thy God hath lent thee – by these angels he has sent thee
    Respite – respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
    Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!’
    Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’

    http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nepenthe

  20. Well, I’ve been waiting for the edging, and it’s lovely beyond all expectations. This shawl, I think, should have a fairly simple, easy-to-pronounce, easy-to-remember name, like “Bee Fields” or “Wing ‘o the Moth”, because it’s another design that is probably destined for greatness. (Unfortunately, my creative juices are not flowing right now, as I’m working on deadline.)

  21. Anne, it is so beautiful, one of the most beautiful shawls I’ve ever seen.

    Groan, I already have three of your shawl patterns in my queue. This one may have to go to the head of the list. You are always several steps ahead of me.

  23. Stunningly beautiful! Of all the Raven colors I like this one the best. Can’t wait to see the unfolding!

  24. I don’t know if you’ve read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke but she has a King/wizard character called the Raven King of John Uskglass. Also, Odin had two ravens Hugin and Munnin (thought and memory) that sat on his shoulders. Apparently, the raven is a creator spirit in many of the creation stories of the Northwest Indians. One of the names for Raven is Kol’ kol.

    Your shawl is beautiful. Thanks for sharing the process of your art!

  26. that edging is absolutely lovely. i can’t believe how winglike the shawl actually looks. the raven colors are perfect for it of course. i can’t actually decide which one i like best, but thraven is one of my favorites.

    it may be dangerous to say this…but keep those wonderfully tempting pictures coming!

  27. Gorgeousness all around, as usual!! That is going to be one beautiful shawl! I love applied edgings. Did it first on the Print O’The Wave Shawl. Can’t wait to do it on this one!

    And I love those socks!

  29. Elizabeth, I came across “fiach” as well, but then when I looked it up in online Celtic dictionaries it seemed to mean “debt” (???).

    How about Eyrie, the nest way up in the crags from which your gorgeous design will hatch?

  30. Oh, boy. It is SO gorgeous! I can’t wait to see it all blocked out — it’s going to be breathtaking. It’s hard to imagine the perfect name for this one… Hmmm… And the acorn socks are perfect! I’m in love with the little bitty acorn hanging out there on the heel flap. It makes me very happy 🙂

  31. Hey Anne! I love this new project! It must be mine! So, when you finish it will it be offered as a kit or are we on our own? If it’s going to be a kit I will wait, but if we’re on our own then I will buy my yarn now (along with some STR: Red Clover Honey for my bee shawl….

    What say you? 🙂

    Elizabeth R

  33. Anne, your shawl is amazing! I was on the fence about all of the hubbub surrounding the Raven Clan colorways, but your shawl is truly gorgeous. I love how the little flashes of color bring it alive.

    As far as naming her, how about Morrigan, the Celtic Raven Goddess? (http://www.novareinna.com/guard/morrigan.html) She was a very strong and powerful female figure in ancient Celtic folklore.

  34. This is so exciting!!! While my bloglines was down, I ordered some Laci in Rook-y in preparation of the big release day! Yippee!!!! And oh so pretty!

  35. This shawl is awesome looking. And really, I love the title of this post as the name. I think it’s very poetic and so in-line with the pattern and the yarn.
    The question we all want answers to… How will we be able to get our hands on the pattern?
    I know I’m going to have to have this in my stash. In fact, I wonder if some projects in the queue will just have to move aside for this one. Love it.

  37. Uhmm… Magnificent? Awesome? Stupendous? I can’t find the right word to convey how awestruck I am at the design.

    Is it wrong that I want you to stop doing everything else, including sleeping, to get it done????

  38. As wonderful as something Celtic would be, I’m struck with “Nevermore” myself. What “quoth the (Th))Raven?”

    Anne, it’s exquisite!
    (((hugs)))

  39. So pretty. It is just amazing. How about Bran’s Flight (Bran is the celtic word for Raven) or Ubran’s Flight (Ubran is the Welsh word for Raven. Or just Bran or Ubran?

  40. Fabulous. Simply. Fabulous. My yarn is ordered and hopefully on its way already.

    Will the stole version also work with the Laci weight yarn?

  41. You could go a little out of the box and name it Tayran, which is Arabic for flight, or Irtfa’a, which is Arabic for to soar.

    I’m so excited for the final pattern, whatever you call it. The edging just adds to the sinful beauty of it all.

  42. That is so gorgeous. I love the way the motifs change down the side of the shawl, too.

    What about Morrigu, the Celtic raven goddess?

  43. An t-éan (un tayun)is Irish Gaelic for The Bird. Then it would be appropriate for any color.

    I cannot wait for the pattern to be released for sale. It is stunning.

  45. You are amazing! All are beautiful and inspiring. I love the little anole (or is it a newt) in the sock photo. And now I’m singin’ that song!

  46. I like Blackbird, Morrigu, and An t-ean (problems with accent marks) for their meanings abd their sounds. The full Latin name for ravens is Corvus corax. Corax is kind of interesting as a stand-alone word. Quigok is one of the Native American names for the sacred Raven. Gagee is the Navaho and Apachee word for ravens and crows. Or how about something as simple as Night Wings… or Queen of the Night (reminiscent of Mozart).

    On a whole other level the darkness and the imagery in the shawl make me think of writings about the sacred feminine self at the heart of the universe: maybe Gaia? Whatever resonates with you will be wonderful.

  47. If ever you didn’t find anything Celtic that fits your shawl and pleases you, here are a few ideas:
    in French: corbeau “raven”
    in Persian: kalâgh “raven”, or Simurgh, which is the name of a mythical bird in the Shâhnâmeh, the Persian Book of Kings by Ferdowsi (an interesting detail: according to Wikipedia, this mythical creature is “inherently benevolent and unambiguously female”)
    Anyways, these were just a few ideas; I could look up other words if you’d like.

  48. I have loved reading all the name suggestions — many are intriguing. I’ll just add my continuing praise for your abilities. I’m going to abandon all other knitting the moment this design is available.

    Although it has nothing to do with Celtic lore or black birds, the colors remind me of my favorite form of pottery — raku.

  49. mebbe “The Flight of the Raven”…..I am lousy at this sort of stuff. Can you guess?? =)

    It is just lovely!

  51. You make me want to look at the Raven series of colors again. Much nicer in a project. Why not jump species. ‘Black Swan’ is what comes to my mind. Swans also figure in Irish mythology as transformed creatures. The sister who must remain mute while she spins nettles to knit sweaters for her brothers who have been transformed by the wicked step-mother into swans. Not that the Raven yarn needed transforming.

  52. This is one of the first shawl patterns I have seriously considered making. Lace and I don’t mix, but your patterns are so awe-inspiring (and apparently easy to follow), I’m tempted to make a concerted effort.

    As to the name, like many others, I did a little research into Gaelic names. My personal choice: “the Morrigan,” she’s a major Celtic goddess, and their Raven Goddess (she’s got so many names and purposes; one for every occasion). Plus, it’s pretty easy to remember (and to spell), and evokes images of dark, watchful silences.

  53. I need to retire.

    Just so that I have time to knit up all the stuff you dream up! This is completely fabulous. Love the name suggestions too.

  54. I was going to suggest Hugin and Munin, Thought and Memory; but I see Jill beat me to the punch. Lynne says that the name should be easy to remember and pronounce, and “Thought and Memory” certainly is that!
    Very, very beautiful. It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.

  55. I think you should name it : Sidhe. The Sidhe were an ancient Celtic race believed to be magical, kind of like fairies. I have read about them in some books by Laurell K. Hamilton and in the book, “Down Came a Blackbird” by Barbara Karmazin. The name of the last book made me think of your shawl.

  56. AAAAAAAAH. I love it. I LOVE it. The edging makes it…shine! Makes it take wing!!

    Wow!

    Also, do you have any photos of your Snow on Cedars mitts in the Winterberries colourway?

  58. Anne- what to say? I’m gobsmacked.

    I want that shawl pattern and the acorn sock pattern. IwantIwantIwant………

    Now that Beatle’s song is in my head- “..blackbird fly….”

  59. “The Morrigan” (or Morrigu) is the Irish raven-goddess, and I personally the “The Morrigan Shawl” has a nice ring to it. 🙂

    Bran is a good name, but a masculine one, and this shawl is so beautiful and feminine!

    “Corvus” is Latin for the raven family, but that sounds so science-y.

    Or, why not just stick with Blackbird?

  60. Looks like Jesh and Em beat me to it! I really like Morrigan or Morrigu. The raven is also associated with the Celtic goddess Morgan Le Fay, also called Queen of the Faeries, and in some stories, Queen of the Dubh Sidhe, or Dark Faeries – a race of tricksters who took the form of ravens.

  63. Like a raven, I’ve been lurking in the shadows, but now I must emerge to add to the chorus of approval. This is one gorgeous shawl. I’m awed.

    I found Briana, Brenna, and Fiachna all listed as Gaelic girl names associated with ravens.

  64. I like Morrigan too but it is the name of Jenna W’s sweater in ‘No Sheep For You’ so it already has a famous pattern associated with it. How about Morwen? She “was the daughter of Baragund of the House of Bëor and cousin of Rían. She was married to Húrin and was the mother of Túrin Turambar and Nienor Níniel. Her name in Tolkien’s invented language of Sindarin translates to ‘Dark Maiden'” Another site said, “Raven-haired mother of Turin Turambar’. I think the translation is not just Tolkien-invented either, but I’m unable to confirm that this minute via Google.

  65. I always like the “literal” source, so I went to my Gaelic (scottish)/English dictionary (yes, I actually have one, that’s another story).

    The word for Raven is: fitheach or fithich. The th is silent, and ch is the slippery “k” sound on the scots, as in loch.

    The word for black is dubh. The “bh” is pronounced “v”

    The word for wing is: sgaith

    So all that’s to say, what about Dubh Sgaith… I know, a reach, but had to do the word search thing…

  66. Beautiful! I’ve been waiting for the Raven’s for so long to make myself a shawl. I had another one in mind but now I want yours.

  67. Didn’t you name it….really… in the title of this post?
    Blackbird or perhaps its Blackbird Singing.
    if not, I propose Ravenwing…

    but the others listed above are all lovely. Poor you… you have to CHOOSE!
    me… i just have to order the kit NOW! er, I mean as soon as you put it up there.

  68. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT! Did I tell you that I ordered my yarn? I did last Friday! Patience is a virtue:) I must keep reminding myself:) But hey, I Christmas to think about so I better re-focus my energy on holiday gifts and clear those out for this beauty:)

  69. I also think you should go with “Nevermore.” Sometimes obvious is best. It is beautiful. I am regretting my fluggy white dog now.

  70. I clearly need to quit my job so that I have time to knit all your amazing patterns!

    I’m a rectangular shawl kinda gal, but this trim may make me convert if you don’t carry it over to the rectangular shawl pattern!

  71. Ooh, I simply cannot wait for this pattern! As to a name, I really like Raven Wing. Simple and oh-so-appropriate!

  72. Your patterns are so wonderful. I’m just afraid I won’t live long enough to knit them all! If only I didn’t have so much Christmas knitting to do—-

  74. Delurking to say you are an evil, evil, woman 🙂 Your patterns are all so tempting but this one takes the cake. Personally I love the name of this post so why not name the shawl that or Night Raven?

  75. Normally I shun trangular shawls for their rectangular cousins. This may be an exception. This beauty must be wing shaped. Poe would be proud… perhaps she should be Christened, “Lenore.”

  76. I’m totally and completely in love!!! Never been quite this smitten before! You know, it is going to be my Christmas project (if you release the pattern in time). Have already ordered the yarn… 😉
    As for a name, I have another suggestion 😉 How about Roäc? He is the raven that Bilbo and the dwarfs talk to after Smaug has been killed (the Hobbit).

  78. I don’t blame you for not being able to put that project down. I usually don’t like working with dark colors, but I think I’d like that one.

    You did a great job!
    Knit on!

  79. It’s not just beautiful, it’s magical!

    The only name I can think of with a vaguely celtic connection is “Corbie” which is a Scottish dialect name for a raven or crow, as in the poem “Twa Corbies” (http://www.twocrows.co.uk/twa_corbies.html).

    The name’s OK but the poem’s way too sad and ghoulish for something so lovely.

  82. I have not felt such a fierce attraction to one of your projects since Starlight Evenig Wrap. I absolutely love it! Maybe enough to buy a kit! Well, I know I love it enough, but do have a rather long queue at the moment.

    As for names, I am quite fond of “Nevermore,” but that might possibly be a little bit of a cliche’. Somebody suggested “Cerridwen,” and I quite like that too.

  83. HELLO ANNE – can’t wait till that raven takes flight into my home and on to my needles- wonderful – a suggestion – two raven names -KRAA – the sound a raven makes – and RAVN – norweign magical name for raven

    happy with your patterns
    pat j

  86. So pretty! I love the edging. It looks great. As for names, I too suggest Munin(n). It’s Norse not Celtic, but I think it might be fitting to name a lace pattern after “Memory”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugin_and_Munin

    Or there’s always Rhonabwy although in the article below the mention of ravens in the story makes them sound a bit more like McGuffins than anything else. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dream_of_Rhonabwy

    The wikipedia links are because they are easy to get, not that they are necessarily accurate of course.

  87. a beautiful shawl, and it makes sense to name it for the Celtic raven goddess – Morrigan.

    Dark mother, wrap me in your wings….

  88. Gorgeous work, and so many great suggestions for names! I love the Celtic ones, but for a simpler, easier to remember name I would suggest “Ravenswing” because I like how that can be read either as “Raven’s wing” or as “Raven-swing”.

  89. I looked up synonyms for beautiful: Bewitching, stunning, striking, beauteous, are just a few. They don’t come close to describing the magnificence that is your shawl! It is breathtaking, and I am speechless. I can’t wait see the final glamour shots and for the pattern to be available! Forget Calgon, these wings will take me away!!

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