soaring

Posted on annePosted in designing, lace/shawls, projects

raven is off the needles but was almost immediately grounded . . . not for long though—as soon as it is dry we will get some modeling shots.

and while it is pinned down, i am soaring. it’s beautiful.

the patterns look lovely next to each other and the textures are defined

the length worked out perfectly; trust in mathematics is restored. here you can see that it blocked out to have a back length of 30.5 inches, though i am sure it will spring back a bit, as i did pull tightly while blocking this one.

the span across the shoulders and top edge is approximately 74 inches.
i love how the yarn colors evoke a deep night sky with some pretty horizontal clouds across it.

you can see that the shoulder shaping adds an interesting line to the top edge while it is flattened here; once it is on the body, this will translate into a graceful drape from a fitted neck/shoulder to a full hem.

when at first it came off the needles it was MUCH smaller and the fabric compressed quite a bit. the edges looked ruffled enough to be real feathers.

and while it was tempting to leave it as is, the fit was a little skimpy that way

so i set to work and did some stretching. and some pinning

transformation, indeed.

148 thoughts on “soaring”

  2. That is absolutely stunning… I have great admiration for all of your designs but this one has about knocked me backwards! Wonderful work. I can’t wait to get better at lace so I can try my hand at it one day 🙂

  4. Looks like you’ve named this beautiful shawl, but if not – how about Fiachra? One of the children of Lir – princes and a princess who were turned into swans for 900 years. It looks like the wings of a beautiful black swan!!! The gaelic from which Fiachra comes is fiach meaning raven.So it all ties together! When can we get the pattern, hmmmm????

  7. The Raven really looks hot Anne. You did a great job. As always. It really is beautiful!! You are an awesome designer!

  12. You are soaring. I am thinking a book has to come soon. You already have a variety of patterns both in skill level and in pattern types to fill a book. I am ready to order my copy.

  14. Gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the modeled shots, as you always come up with great ideas for wonderful pictures!
    Thanks for your answer to my last comment. I’m a bit busy, but I should be able to look up a few more Persian words for you in the coming days. That’s just too bad I can’t share the way these words sound with you: the musicality of that language is lovely. And I think it somehow fits the shawl well. The shawl also evokes some aspects of Iranian culture to me; that is quite interesting.

  18. I second what Karen said. It is unworldly beautiful. The yarn, the stitch patterns. Its lace, but the depth of it…I’m in awe. (And completely lusting after it. Knitting faster…get the socks off the needles…I want wings!) Thank you for all the wonderful yarn pr0n!

  21. Even more beautiful than I hoped. The shaping makes it a divine finished silhouette. I love the patterns and they go together so perfectly. I just wish I was a faster knitter :[ How does anyone keep up with you?

  24. So beautiful… I know what I want for Christmas. 😀 Just what I needed after a crappy day of work. You may now rest after a job done exceptionally well!!!!

  25. I completely agree with all the other comments ! It’s stunning ! The shoulders shaping resembles the shape of a wing so well I can hardly believe it.
    I love the picture of the unblocked shawl, it seems so feathery and real there 🙂 Be careful when you unpin it, it might just fly away !

  28. Absolutely gorgeous. As the Italians say, “Sono senza parole” (I don’t have words)!

  29. Good job! Your work is so inspiring, thank you for the great photos. I’d love to see this in Interweave Knits!

  30. Congratulations on another absolutely gorgeous masterpiece Anne. You’re a truly amazingly talented designer and my knitting inspiration! I have really enjoyed reading about your design and knitting journey with this project. Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs from Aust.

  31. Ditto the above. I have liked other shawl patterns, but this one is to lust after. Will be waiting to know when the pattern is available. Wings of Lir.

  33. Oh gosh, it is just stunning, Anne. Another heirloom, indeed. Ok, where and when? Is BMFA going to be offering this as a kit? Can’t pass this one up, that’s for sure.

  34. Since my last shawl earlier this fall, I have been focusing on wintery mittens/hats and not even interested in lace, but after a glimpse of this spectacular shawl, I am VERY interested again – what a true inspiration!!

  36. Wow! Fantastic! Truly stunning! And the shoulder shaping ….blocked it truly looks like birds wings! Awesome job! Can’t wait to see it modeled.

  40. OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!! !
    Here, just take my credit card. You can keep it.
    I have run out of adjectives, so I give up.

  43. Anne, this shawl is amazing. You have taken the most beautiful elements of the wing and translated them into a masterpiece. If there was any doubt left anywhere as to your design status, this piece puts you clearly at the top. Congratulations!

  44. Sigh……so beautiful!! You must be so proud of this shawl…it is stunning!

    Tell me about your blocking wires. What kind are they that they would bend like they did for this shawl?

  49. That is beautiful. It really is a raven’s wing, in fact I do think you should call it the Raven’s Wing! What a spectacular example of knitting at its best!

  50. It’s stunning! Was it difficult to work in black? Years ago I made a shawl out of black yarn and I found it hard to work on. But, for your shawl I’d be willing to try again.

  51. When I look at the shawl blocked, I have to tell you, I see the Native American influence just jump out at me. I know you are leaning toward the Celtic, but I don’t see that. I KNOW!!!! You have to be the “decider” here. It is mythical. I love it so much. I hope I will be able to see the black yarn. I have a real problem with blacks on the needles. Thank goodness for my Ott Task Lite!!!!

  53. Can I please just for a little while live inside your brain??? I don’t know which I envy more: your knitting prowess or your design genius. That shawl is simply stunning. Blocked or unblocked.

  55. Wow. Wow. Wow. That’s all I can say – wow! You’re work is always beautiful, Anne, but that is just stunning! I have to see it on, after blocking, but I like it unblocked, too.

  58. Oh, Anne, it’s just amazing! Breathtaking — stunning — awe-inspiring! There is such beauty and grace and even some delicious logic in this wonderful pattern of yours. can’t wait until my own is on my needles.

    Happily, I now know exactly what my Christmas present to myself will be!

  64. fantastico! fabuloso! hermoso!!

    you get the drift! the thing is HAWT! i love the shaping of the shoulders and the way it flows. it definitely looks like a raven with it’s wings open.

  66. I hope the yarn and pattern will be ready in mass quantities because wow is this going to sell like hotcakes!!! It’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever done and that’s saying something!

  67. I’ve been lurking as you’ve designed this shawl but I must speak up and say that it is absolutely stunning and I just ordered some Laci in the Haida color to make this shawl. If you haven’t picked a name yet, how about the title of this post, Soaring. It seems appropriate.

  69. You’ve done it again, Anne. This evokes the raven so perfectly…it has the feel of a piece of art -I think it would look beautiful hanging up on a wall.

  71. That is wonderful Anne. I’ve never wanted to knit a Faroese shawl before – this one is different, just so beautiful. Very much looking forward to seeing the modelled shots!

  76. wow – it’s truly amazing. i can’t wait to see the pattern – i’ll have to get some of my other WIPs off the needles quickly to free up some time for this gorgeous shawl! i’ve got some baby camel & silk fibre that i’ve been planning to dye & spin up for a truly special shawl, and i think this could be the perfect pattern for it – i’d better get back to my wheel, & fast! 🙂
    xoxo lilith

  77. This is absolutely beautiful. I’ve been admiring the Raven yarns since I first saw them and I thought then, “Something like wings. I’ll buy some when I can find something like wings to make it into.”

    I can’t wait for this pattern to become available.

    Bounces.

  80. Oh, that is the most beautiful shawl I’ve ever seen and I am *not* exaggerating. I can’t wait for the pattern to come out!

  85. Your beautiful bird is stunning. I can scarcely wait for the pattern to be available!

    She is lovely.

  86. Anne,
    You’ve truly done it again! Gorgeous!!!
    I recall you mentioning a kit with yarn and the pattern… I think this is going to be my little birthday present to myself. Yippee!

  90. Wow. Just…..wow. I’m amazed that you just make this stuff up and do it and it’s so perfect. I’m building you a shrine.

  92. Anne- I have the yarn all lined up to do both the shawl and the stole- I’m ready when you are!
    Can I be the President of the Anne Hanson Fan Club-
    hithero known as AHFC- Toronto Chapter?

  93. Gorgeous! I love how the faroese shape really contributes to the theme of feathers and wings. I love the concept of faroese shawls but I think they can sometimes look a bit stodgy; this is one of the first I have seen where the shape and the stitch pattern and the theme all work together beautifully. Yours is so beautiful, I totally want to knit this in the same yarn and colorway (which I never ever do!).

  96. o. m. g.

    i’m speechless.

    *sputter*

    *blorb*

    i cannot find words. i am sitting here sighing deeply. it’s just … so … omg.

    i think i need a cigarette

    and i don’t even smoke.

  98. Wow. I may have had my doubts about this one (I’ve not been a huge fan of the faroese things in the past) but I’m sold now. Incredible.

  100. I am head over feathers in love with this. As a companion and caretaker to several parrots over the years, the graceful arc of wing and feather really calls to me. I hope my skills are up to it…!

  101. It is absolutely gorgeous….can’t wait for the pattern! I have already ordered the yarn, so I am ready to go!

  102. Another delurker popping up to say…

    …your Raven is breathtaking. Absolutely gorgeous.

    P.S. It must be mine. *gleefully rubbing hands together*

  103. Gorgeous doesn’t even sum it up properly! The shawl is breathtaking in photo so I can just imagine how stunning it is in person.

  107. *Sigh* Oh, look… it’s my shawl! Waiting for me to come and knit it up. I am sure it will take me months, but I still can’t wait. Like MaryBeth, I live with several parrots and your representation of the wing is truly spot on.

    That realism might cause you problems though. You had best watch out when you walk out the door with it on, though! What if your local ravens mistake you for an intruder? 🙂

  109. Fabulous, Anne.

    Do you have photos to share of The Shawl in both its blocked and unblocked states? I like the looks of both.

  111. (sounds of oohs and ahs and gasps of awe!) I have to thank you for staying up late, doing all that math to make it right, telling us maybe yes, maybe no along the way and finally making it. We’re lining up in cyberspace to get this one!

  112. ANNE -the raven is exquisite beyond words , and your design skills have so ultimitely and truely been demonstrated here

    – have you chosen a name – one more THE CAILLEACH – a scottish goddess of winter sometimes appears as a raven
    yours in knitting pat j

  113. It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect. Every single design element just comes together exactly right. I can’t wait to see how you’re going to do the stole version (I keep trying to envision how it will work); I may need one of each 🙂 You must be knitting non-stop this week! Can’t wait to hear the naming decision…

  114. It’s beautiful and exactly what I pictured when you were thinking about the design! Not that I would have come up with it. 😛

  122. That is beautiful. I love that curve while it is blocking. What do you use for blocking wires? The ones I have wouldn’t curve like that. Or am I an idiot and that’s not wire at all?

  123. This is absolutely stunning, I’m in love! I must have the pattern, hope it’s for sale soon.

  124. That is stunning! I want to immediately cast on a faroese shawl, and I really want this pattern. But there’s still gift knitting to do….

    I hope you will make the pattern available?? Please?

  125. Unbelievably gorgeous. I can’t wait to buy the pattern/kit/whatever the very instant it becomes available.

  128. I have been intrigued by some of your other lovely designs, but this one floors me. I look at it and forget all my prolems. I want to knit it up and wrap myself in the Raven’s comforting wings. I can hardly wait for the pattern to go up for sale! Thank You!

  133. Your lacework is extraordinary – one more beautiful than the next. It is such a pleasure to read and learn from your knitting and blog. Keep up the excellent work. It is an inspiration.

  134. I’m the 134th reply — wow! Well, you’ve wowed us all. A beautiful artistic rendering in wool of a raven in flight.

  136. i hated the idea of faroase. you are so awesome that the finished faroese shawl is magnificent!!!

    Still….. can’t wait for rectangle; you are awesome!!!!!

  137. Anne, I’m almost speechless. I can only hope that it will look as good in silk as it does in wool.

    …wait, what am I saying? Likely only if *you* knit it…but I’m willing to give it the old college try! The only question is…Rook-y? Pallas Athena? Valkyrie?

  139. That is lovely! no matter what you decide to name it! I have some black silk/cashmere (about 1400 yards) I was saving for something else but this may be what it has to be – I went outside the box to make my Bee Fields bright red but I think this needs to stay closer to the original idea of it.

  141. OMG – amazing. it is the perfect pattern Anne. I think I will have to have this one eventually in BOTH the farose and the rectangular versions. It’s perfect.
    congrats.
    can’t wait to see it modeled.

  142. Blue Moon was pretty sharp, asking you to design for them. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s already ordered their yarn for this shawl, and is just itching to get my hands on the pattern!

    I do hope it will be available very soon! Your work is simply wonderful.

  143. Wow is the best I can come up with. It looks amazing ! I need to learn to knit lace and practice and practice and then come back and buy your lovely pattern.
    Who said knitting was lame ??? Wow wow wow

  146. Watching the designing process was a joy,the end product is absolutely fabulous, breathtaking, it looks as if it could take flight

  148. It’s delicious. This is a shawl even I would wear (as opposed to knit and give away as I don’t wear shawls.)

    I would wear it and “fly” around the world! I’d flap! 🙂 Gracefully of course. 🙂

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