FO : VLT shawl
Pattern: Spider’s-web shawl, Victorian Lace Today
Size: Half hexagon
Finished Measurements, approx. 75” across top, 24” from middle center down to bottom of shawl
Yarn: silk merino hand painted lace from Yarn Ahoy etsy store in color chocolate cinnamon, 1 skein
Needles: 4.5 mm, 5 mm and 5.5 mm circular addi turbo
Modifications: ended shawl after working Chart C once using 5.5 mm needles (the pattern calls for this chart to be worked 4 more times using 6 mm needles, resulting in a completed half hexagon 84” x 36”), single crochet bind off
I’m not sure what drives me to knit lace. A burst of passion for the delicate yarn and interesting stitches carries me through the bulk of a lace project. What is it that calls you to gather lace weight yarn and needles and find a seat next to good light? In this case I was drawn to the shawl featured on page 42 of VLT – the idea of strolling in a lush garden draped in hand knitted lace, the simple Barège pattern highlighted by the surrounding greenery. It speaks of leisure and elegance, a feeling that I wanted to try to recreate with my needles. This is the first time I used variegated lace weight yarn and I think it worked well in this pattern, but in general it’s a risky endeavor, no? The blocking process didn’t go as smoothly as usual: the yarn bled a lot in the sink, I really could have used blocking wires to get the hexagon shape perfect. I didn’t knit the last four repeats of Chart C – I had my fill of the Barège pattern and realized that the finished size (84”) would mean coming up with a creative blocking surface plan.
Layers of lace & tissue, ready to be mailed to its recipient.
Cross posted at the Victorian Lace Today kal
Comments
It is pretty and I envy the one who receives it. That one is a lucky one.
Posted by: handknit168 | April 23, 2007 10:41 PM
beautiful!!
Posted by: pamela wynne | April 23, 2007 11:07 PM
Both pattern and yarn are stunning! Especially that yarn - the fairly subtle variegation definitely works with the large stockinette sections.
Posted by: kelp! | April 23, 2007 11:23 PM
Gorgeous! I'm off to go check my copy of Victorian Lace for the original, you've inspired me!
Posted by: ivete | April 23, 2007 11:35 PM
That is so beautiful. The colors are so pretty. I've had some silk lace yarn for awhile but no courage to knit with it yet.
Posted by: tiennie | April 24, 2007 01:25 AM
this yarn worked very well for the pattern, lovely.
Posted by: erin | April 24, 2007 01:33 AM
The yarn, with just the right amount of handpaintedness, goes really so well with this pattern. Lovely!
Posted by: Siow Chin | April 24, 2007 02:05 AM
it's stunning!
Posted by: Marie | April 24, 2007 03:30 AM
Lovely, lovely, lovely! I just don't have the patience for lace, but I'm glad you do. I can enjoy it by proxy!
Posted by: Noo | April 24, 2007 05:30 AM
Lovely! Someone will be happy to open that package!
I agree with you about lace knitting. Although it looks difficult, I think it's the most relaxing and interesting knitting!
Posted by: Jan | April 24, 2007 08:03 AM
wow. that is stunning! that shape is so neat - not one you see too often! the variegated yarn worked really well - maybe because it was more of a subtle variegation and not so severe?
Posted by: stacey | April 24, 2007 08:44 AM
Gorgeous work, Brooke! I also love to see beautifully wrapped packages. Perhaps it's because when I was little I had relatives in Japan who sent the most beautiful gifts- pencils, umbrellas- didn't matter what it was, it always looked like treasure.
Posted by: JulieFrick | April 24, 2007 08:59 AM
Beautiful shawl!What a lovely gift.
Posted by: Mari | April 24, 2007 09:40 AM
gorgeous!
Posted by: gleek | April 24, 2007 10:24 AM
Well, that is gorgeous. I am always nervous to use variegated yarn (even for socks, to be honest); but, I think the yarn and the pattern work well together. It is a beautiful shawl and I think the recipient will be giddy with delight.
Posted by: nova | April 24, 2007 10:33 AM
Stunning, and the variegated colors came out beautifully! A very lucky recipient indeed.
Posted by: Jennifer | April 24, 2007 11:01 AM
Simply wonderful!
Posted by: Lara | April 24, 2007 11:33 AM
i love the lace, and something about it wrapped up says 'cultured' to me. very nice!
Posted by: Stephanie | April 24, 2007 11:53 AM
Wow! Really pretty, especially with the subtle varigation in the yarn colour. I am adding this to my list of shawls to knit from VLT!
Posted by: Robin | April 24, 2007 12:05 PM
So beautiful!
Posted by: Kate | April 24, 2007 12:10 PM
That's one nice-looking piece of lace! It's one of the ones in VLT that I really want to try, but I have to limit myself to smaller projects because I have no good places to block out any large ones. So I'll just content myself with admiring the ones that other people create. :D
Posted by: Ria | April 24, 2007 06:31 PM
I'm in throes of a lace bug myself, working on Birch for my sister's wedding shawl. Love your Spider Web--the recipient is a lucky person!
Posted by: lisa | April 24, 2007 08:32 PM
It's so beautiful! Who's the super lucky recipient?
Posted by: laura b | April 24, 2007 09:10 PM
::sigh::
Gorgeous, stunning, stunning and gorgeous some more. Did I mention gorgeous? Lace knitting still intimidates me but I am taking the plunge this summer. I really must try it for myself. Especially if the above is the result. You continue to inspire.
Posted by: knittingphilistine | April 24, 2007 09:31 PM
That is just gorgeous. I love the chocolatey goodness of the color and the patience it takes to do lace, well let's just say I am still acquiring the patience to do much less at the moment.
Just stunning.
Posted by: Amy | April 25, 2007 01:15 AM
So beautiful. Because of this post, I zoomed off to Amazon and ordered the book. Lace knitting here I come!
Posted by: Sian | April 25, 2007 11:27 AM
Absolutely gorgeous. I've been dreaming about lace, but I have too many WIPs to do more than dream right now.
Posted by: Stephanie | April 25, 2007 12:45 PM
Oooh! Lovely!
I can't believe you're giving it away :(
Posted by: Veronique | April 25, 2007 05:20 PM
Very beautiful!
Posted by: Brenda | April 26, 2007 02:43 AM
What a beautiful shawl! I have that book myself, and want to knit the patterns on every page. So elegant. I hope your recipient is amazed. :)
Posted by: Debby | April 26, 2007 11:05 AM
oh wow brooke...this is so beautiful.
look what happens when i get behind in reading my bloglines, you go and finish and amazing shawl. well done!
Posted by: jacqueline | May 1, 2007 03:06 AM
Brooke, I'm honored that you made such a beautiful shawl out of yarn I dyed!
I shall link my blog to this page.
Best regards :)
Manasi
Posted by: Manasi | May 10, 2007 11:48 PM