Saturday, September 22, 2007

Swallowtail Shawl - a picture diary

I spent my morning with Karen, Gena, and (blogless?) Melinda. We went to an apple festival at Bethabara park. It was tons of fun - complete with colonial costumes and a horse-drawn wagon. There were demonstrations on spinning, weaving, bobbin lace, and a smithy who let kids pump the bellows. I brought the recently completed swallowtail shawl with me for some photographs.

On seeing Minty's finished swallowtail, I decided to perform 5 extra repeats of the budding lace chart. I was using laceweight and I'd heard other knitters complain that it was a rather small shawl so I really wanted to increase the size. The finished wingspan is 64 inches, and it is 31 inches from the center top to the tip. I'm very pleased with the size.


The thing that appealed to me most about this shawl was the nupps in the Lily of the Valley border. Fortunately, I am such a loose knitter that the p5tog stitches didn't even phase me. I know most people slip 2, purl 3 tog, then pass the 2 slipped stitches over. Honestly I found this far more fiddly than just purling the stitches all at once.



I love the drape of the Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk (purchased from Sarah's Yarns - this shawl only cost $6.00). It was so shocking when I bound off the last stitch and picked up the shawl to flop it out and admire my (sad and puckered) work. It weighed nothing! The weight of the needles had me thinking I had created this substantial thing, but it really does weigh less than 50 grams (less than 1.7 ounces for all you non-scientists out there).

May I just say - this is my favorite project yet. It was my first lace, but I found it really intuitive. I am already thinking about what my next lace project will be. I'm a huge fan of Evelyn A. Clark's patterns, so I'm preferentially eyeing hers. Until then, I will be working on Eunny Jang's Tangled Yolk Cardigan from the latest issue of Interweave knits. I'd show you a progress shot, but 2 inches of ribbing isn't exactly exciting.
Happy Saturday!

9 comments:

Knitting Diva said...

Just Gorgeous! I am in love with your color selection and what a beautiful day to enjoy a shawl. Like you, I love knitting lace.

Your shots are marvelous too.

Julie said...

It is absolutely stunning? I am in awe.

Karen said...

I love it! I'm so glad I got to see it in person today - it's georgous. You did a wonderful job. It was so fun to hang out today! See you soon. :)

Gena said...

It's so great! I definitely have to get some of that yarn for my next lace project!

Rebecca Jo said...

WOW - it looks fantastic on you! I'm telling you - you are inspiring me to try out lace!

Anonymous said...

Wow! It looks great! It may be your first lace project – but not the last, I’m sure! Now I just wish I’d made mine bigger...

Anonymous said...

Hey Kris! I can;t wait to see you this Fall Break, only 13 more days!!! Maybe this will encourage you write more on your blog, I doubt it!
-Lil' Bit

Anonymous said...

Hey Kris only 12 more days until we see you, come on you must write! Be happy, because I am going to remember to bring the books to your house!
-Lil' Bit

Rebecca Jo said...

OK Kristen - I want to try lace - do you have simple lace pattern that is easy for a beginner you recommend? Let me know - I'm willing to take the plunge!