All the notes after the bump
Gosh, I hope you guys aren't sick of this shawl yet. I finally took some pictures of it on a person (me) which will give you a better idea of scale. I'm thinking I might crochet a little flower broach to use to close it, too, but for now, here's what I have.
Spinning
Fiber: Cotswold
Source: Nistock Farms
Color: Autumn Spice
Spindle: Golding
Weight: 0.9 ounces / 25.5 grams
WPI: About 20, give or take
Quantity: 3.6 ounces / 102 grams
Pattern
Type: Knitting
Source: My own
Pattern Availibility: Not yet
Reason: Spindlicity Shawl Contest
Size: 48" x 18 " / 122 cm x 46 cm
Needle: US #5 / 3.75 mm
Notes on the project
This is the first shawl I've knit, so it goes without saying that it's also the first shawl I've designed. The process was one of visually reverse engineering shawls I'd seen to understand the construction, making a few mistakes (oh, I see, you have to increase in the middle AND at the ends to get a triangle), and ripping. Once I understood the process, I pulled out every stitch dictionary I owned and began to visualize how the stitches would look radiating diagonally, and used on a fairly small piece. I wanted the center to be more simple and airy and the border to be a bit more dramatic. I also knew I didn't want to make a huge piece for fear I'd lose interest or be unable to spin enough yarn.
The fiber I used is Cotswold. The owner of Nistock Farms says on her site that it's sometimes called the "poor man's mohair." The resulting yarn that I spun was, indeed, pretty hairy. Cotswold is not the softest fiber in the world and if you are looking for something with which to make a bikini (and please, just say "no" to wool bikinis) this is not the fiber for you, but as a shawl, Cotswold offers the same insulating properties you get from Mohair and that is not a bad thing at all.
As for spinning, I have enjoyed spinning this fiber more than any other I own. It feels like it nearly spun itself, and did so at a lovely fine weight. I would think that a blend with a softer fiber, like silk or merino, could make this a very versatile option for anyone who isn't sensitive to wool.
Knitting the piece filled me with some amount of dread. If you look through the progress of this piece, you'll see that I employed life lines and stitch markers to a point of near obsession. It turned out to be unnecessary as I never had to rip back more than a couple stitches, but I think having them there worked as a security blanket, and kept me going.
If I had to do it again, I might change a couple things. First, I feel that the smaller scale lace didn't flow perfectly into the border lace. It would have been better to plan to have the lines converge a little better. Also, I might have made it a little larger, though not by much. One of the reasons I like shawls is because a delicate one can fit in a medium sized purse, if one is done wearing it for some period of time. Most jackets don't afford you that luxury.
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Comments (25)
Great reading, keep up the great posts.
Peace, JiggaDigga
Posted by JiggaDigga | April 6, 2006 9:35 PM
Posted on April 6, 2006 21:35
Beautiful! I'm awed at the way you moved from basic raw materials (pile of hair, pointy sticks) to such a delicate, refined finished piece.
Thanks for reminding us why knitting is so darned cool.
Posted by kristi | April 1, 2006 5:52 AM
Posted on April 1, 2006 05:52
What a beautiful shawl. All the details (color, size, fiber) work so well together. A piece of fine art!
Posted by Amy Jo | March 28, 2006 7:40 AM
Posted on March 28, 2006 07:40
Marnie, how excellent! The
Orange/coral/whatever that color is really grows on me - usually I don't care for orange - and I'm thinking that I need something just that shade, even if I look like death in it.
You, OTOH, look like a Goddess.
(belly rubs for PANDA! :D)
Posted by Sravana | March 27, 2006 2:57 PM
Posted on March 27, 2006 14:57
Well, I really like it with the dress you are modeling it with. But I also like the proportions on you. It is smaller and "smarter" and looks very European and chic. Very nice result!
Posted by Laurie | March 27, 2006 1:07 PM
Posted on March 27, 2006 13:07
Marnie, you look gorgeous! You should make your DH/SO take you out on the town so you can knock 'em dead with the elegant outfit, including your first shawl. The color of the yarn is wonderful. Of course I'm going to want a copy of the pattern, along with any other knitter who sees your photos!
Posted by CatBookMom | March 26, 2006 5:27 PM
Posted on March 26, 2006 17:27
You are a fibre artist in every aspect.
I await eagerly your next creation.
Posted by Laila | March 26, 2006 9:41 AM
Posted on March 26, 2006 09:41
All I can say is WOW, I'm impressed. You are really talented. I hope you win the shawl contest!
Posted by Mary-Kay | March 26, 2006 9:32 AM
Posted on March 26, 2006 09:32
beautiful work, and beautiful you! as always, thanks for sharing the photos!
Posted by kabili | March 26, 2006 6:47 AM
Posted on March 26, 2006 06:47
Stunning! Well done :-)
Posted by Prim | March 26, 2006 1:12 AM
Posted on March 26, 2006 01:12
Oh Marnie, it looks amazing! It really turned out beautifully, and those pictures are just gorgeous. The shawl AND you. :)
Posted by Carrie | March 25, 2006 9:19 PM
Posted on March 25, 2006 21:19
Looks good on you!
Posted by kessa | March 25, 2006 8:18 PM
Posted on March 25, 2006 20:18
That is absolutely fabulous! I love it.
Posted by Christiane | March 25, 2006 7:18 PM
Posted on March 25, 2006 19:18
so lovely, Marnie. Beautiful work!
Posted by aubree | March 25, 2006 4:31 PM
Posted on March 25, 2006 16:31
I love it Marnie! Beautiful job.
Posted by Meredith | March 25, 2006 4:00 PM
Posted on March 25, 2006 16:00
Good lord, woman. Both you and the shawl are stunning!
Posted by jessica~ | March 25, 2006 9:33 AM
Posted on March 25, 2006 09:33
As always done with a great sense of style, lovely, and elegant. Great colour. Beautifully photographed.
Posted by Paula | March 25, 2006 8:24 AM
Posted on March 25, 2006 08:24
You look elegant and beautiful in your new shawl! Congrats on completing a great project!
Posted by June | March 25, 2006 7:28 AM
Posted on March 25, 2006 07:28
Wow, spun too! Love that first photo.
Posted by Monica | March 25, 2006 12:10 AM
Posted on March 25, 2006 00:10
I absolutely love it! What a gorgeous job you did of spinning, designing, and knitting it. It was fun to watch the process!
Posted by Katherine | March 24, 2006 10:07 PM
Posted on March 24, 2006 22:07
The shawl is indeed lovely and looks lovely on you. I wish I'd figured out that part aobut needing to increase in the center and on the ends to get the triangle - live and learn, and know I know how to knit a great diamond shape!
Posted by Jenna | March 24, 2006 9:58 PM
Posted on March 24, 2006 21:58
It looks absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful job!
Posted by --Deb | March 24, 2006 7:21 PM
Posted on March 24, 2006 19:21
It looks amazing! And what a beautiful model. I love that you spun the yarn yourself too.
Posted by Vicki | March 24, 2006 6:12 PM
Posted on March 24, 2006 18:12
Easily one of the most spectacular finished objects I've seen in a while, from the spinning, to the designing, to the final photo shoot. Glorious work, Marnie!
Posted by Elspeth | March 24, 2006 4:38 PM
Posted on March 24, 2006 16:38
Great photoshoot! I could never tire of that shawl. It's simply lovely.
Posted by Julia | March 24, 2006 4:25 PM
Posted on March 24, 2006 16:25