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Monday, September 12, 2005

Proud Peacock

Here she is, or should I say "he"? Isn't it the male peacock that has the showy display of feathers?

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The shawl was too big for my blocking board and I was blocking it late at night so could not use my bed. I spread a sheet out on the carpet in an infrequently used room and pinned it out there.

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You can see the beads I've added to the edging in this photo. They are the sparkling turquoise bits....the other colored dots are the pins of course.

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You can see the blocking wires in this photo. I used them along the top edge and down the center spine. This is the lower tip of the shawl.

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Here it is floating on a gentle breeze. Including the beads, it weighs three and three-quarter ounces. I started with 4 ounces of Zephyr Wool-Silk and I have one and a quarter ounces left, so without the added weight of the beads the whole shawl would have weighed less than 3 ounces.

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The finished shawl measures 81" across the "wingspan" and 39" down the center back.

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This was a very satisfying project. I can see now why people who "don't wear shawls" keep right on knitting them!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shawl. I love that color. The beads are a great touch!

Rabbitch said...

That's gorgeous! I DO wear shawls but I'm scared of lace.

At least for now.

Stay tuned for a new obsession ...

Anonymous said...

Absolutely stunning! Really fantastic work!

knitabulous said...

am bowing down before you as you clearly are a lace godess.

can you believe a single strand of yarn can make such magic???

congratulations

Alison said...

Absolutely beautiful! Great color! I didn't used to be a "shawl person" until I made my first one. Now, I wear them to the library, the grocery store, wherever just because I love knitting lace so much!

Michelle said...

I second absolutely stunning! The colour is fantastic and looks really good on you.

Debi said...

If you "don't wear shawls" you should because that beautiful shawl looks stunning on you!

Love the unique touch of the beads!

Well done!

--Deb said...

It looks lovely, and the beads were a wonderful idea. I made this shawl a few months ago, but never would have thought to add the beads. Looks great!

Anonymous said...

It's lovely!

Jessica said...

It's stunning. Wear it with pride.

dragon knitter said...

(stands back so as to not get drool on the shawl) i've been thinking about diving into lace, and that convinces me. ooolala! how was the wedding, btw?

Anonymous said...

I think you've convinced me that I need to make this shawl. Beautiful job!

Maggie Ann said...

Marlene, your shawl is exquisite! So delicate and the pattern so intricate. The beads are a wonderful touch of elegance. Can you tell I like it? Congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment.

Anonymous said...

Oh you are so right (re your KR comment!) - you are enabling me thru your pic. It's everything! everyone has said it is and more. I'm in awe of it. Very nice! Terry in SF

Anonymous said...

beautifully done. I take my hat off to you!!
I have never knitted anything lacey. How did you get started and where can I find this gorgeous pattern?

Marlene said...

Nel, this WAS my start with delicate lace! I am an experienced knitter though, I had just never tried doing anything with laceweight yarn before. I purchased the pattern and yarn through Fiddlesticks knitting at:

(http://www.fiddlesticksknitting.com/Shawls.html)

If you are not familiar with common decreases and yarn overs, I suggest you try out a few lacey patterns in heavier yarn, perhaps creating a dish cloth or two before you move on to laceweight and intricate shawls. Still, where there is a will there is a way, and perserverence can get you through even if you are a relative newcomer to knitting. Join a lace knitters' list like "Lace For All Seasons"

(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laceforallseasons/)

and you will receive all kinds of help and advice. Stitch markers and "lifelines" are a big help with this pattern.

Sweazey said...

Thank you for putting this up for view, you certainly look lovely, and proud as a peacock in your stunningly beautiful work! You are inspiring a lace-weight-shawl feeling in all of us, my fingers are itching to start for sure!

Kimberly said...

Your post on KR was right. It does make me want to run right out to get the yarn to knit it!

Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Indeed, your shawl is a work of art! It is quite inspiring to me, as I have just started my own peacock feathers shawl. I absolutely love the shot of it on you, the picture is just magical! You should definitely wear your shawl a lot, you have the perfect panache.

SerMom said...

There's nothing left to be said, although I really liked 'my flabber is gasted', and will be stealing it for future use.

On a lighter note, I'm glad you mentioned that the beads were the turquoise, or I'd a thunk all the pretty shinies were beads. And that would have been embarassing!

Barbara
http://sermomknits.blog-city.com/

Pumpkinmama said...

Wow - just lovely! Great job.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful !
Bravo
Françoise
http://aufildesmailles.canalblog.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your inspiring pictures of Peacock! Found you through Seasons of Lace. I am currently on Chart 3 of the pattern and am finding it a very fun knit. I like the idea of the beads on the edging and think I might incorporate that. Beautiful, beautiful work! Dorothy
http://missouristar.typepad.com