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.
Great photoshoot! I could never tire of that shawl. It's simply lovely.
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!
It looks amazing! And what a beautiful model. I love that you spun the yarn yourself too.
It looks absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful job!
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!
I absolutely love it! What a gorgeous job you did of spinning, designing, and knitting it. It was fun to watch the process!
Wow, spun too! Love that first photo.
You look elegant and beautiful in your new shawl! Congrats on completing a great project!
As always done with a great sense of style, lovely, and elegant. Great colour. Beautifully photographed.
Good lord, woman. Both you and the shawl are stunning!
I love it Marnie! Beautiful job.
so lovely, Marnie. Beautiful work!
That is absolutely fabulous! I love it.
Looks good on you!
Oh Marnie, it looks amazing! It really turned out beautifully, and those pictures are just gorgeous. The shawl AND you. :)
Stunning! Well done :-)
beautiful work, and beautiful you! as always, thanks for sharing the photos!
All I can say is WOW, I'm impressed. You are really talented. I hope you win the shawl contest!
You are a fibre artist in every aspect.
I await eagerly your next creation.
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!
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!
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)
What a beautiful shawl. All the details (color, size, fiber) work so well together. A piece of fine art!
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.
Great reading, keep up the great posts.
Peace, JiggaDigga