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:

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

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

    At least for now.

    Stay tuned for a new obsession ...

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  3. Absolutely stunning! Really fantastic work!

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  4. 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

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  5. 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!

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

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  7. 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!

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  8. 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!

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  9. It's stunning. Wear it with pride.

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  10. (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?

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

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  12. 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.

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  13. 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

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  14. 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?

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  15. 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.

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  16. 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!

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

    Beautiful!

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  18. 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.

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  19. 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/

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

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  21. 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

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