Have I told you all how great it is to read the comments you write after I post a finished project? You know how to boost a girl's ego! All I do is match up a pattern with some yarn and knit it. LOTS of people do that and do it well. The real credit goes to the designers and dyers and yarn people. I'm doing the easiest part. Case in point:
In case you haven't noticed I've been bitten by the lace bug and bitten deep. It's an itchy bite and I keep scratching.
- Pattern: Forest Canopy Shawl by Susan Pierce Lawrence (ravelry link)
- Yarn: Woolen Rabbit Whisper Merino Lace in Herb Roberts (recognize it?)
- Needles: Addi Lace in size4
- Cast On: May 19, 2009
- Bound Off: May 28, 2009
- Blocked: May 31, 2009
My head so firmly dreaming in the Forest Canopy of lace and having more than half the skein of yarn left from the Norwegian Woods Shawl, I cast on for this as soon as I finished it. I had yarn and I was bound to use up as much of it as I possibly could. If.It.Killed.Me. And it just about did. Using the Shawl Percentage Calculator at Rose-Kim Knits (thanks, Jessica!) and my postal scale I calculated as I went along, doggedly determined to knit every possible inch. As enjoyable as this knit was (and it really is-if you knit it as written there are far fewer repeats of the lace pattern-not nearly enough to send a person to the insane asylum) , there was a race to see what would win out, my will to consume the yarn or my will to live. You can probably guess at the internal battle. At a certain point, when the shawl had grown to a generous size and there was still a hefty little ball of yarn left, I kept bargaining with myself. Each repeat was to be the last. It was all I could take. And then I would do the math, weigh the yarn, knit another repeat. The winner?
And then there was none some, but not enough for another repeat.
Did you figure this out yet? I also had beads left from both the Spring Things Shawl and the Norwegian Woods Shawl. What the hell, throw those in, too. Why not?
As simple as this shawl is, one repeat until the border, it is deceptively elegant. The yarn has a beautiful drape and the beads add that sparkle of blue sky glimpsed through the Forest Canopy. Aren't beads and lace photogenic?
Don't you just want one? Well, you could have one. I'll be donating this shawl to Claudia's MS Ride raffle. Each $10 donation provides a chance to win fabulous prizes and even better, help with research and treatment of people with Multiple Sclerosis. Go. Donate.
Oh, hell, I should just send you all my laceweight yarn. All the blue laceweight, at any rate.
Posted by: Lynn | June 05, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Gorgeous and, again, the beads are inspired.
Posted by: margene | June 05, 2009 at 09:47 AM
both are gorgeous... I had a feeling I knew what the end of this post would be as I was reading it. What a generous contribution to Claudia's efforts. Yay for you!
Posted by: Linda M | June 05, 2009 at 09:53 AM
That is beautiful!! I love the beads!
Posted by: CyndiG | June 05, 2009 at 09:57 AM
You are the best! Thanks so much.
Posted by: claudia | June 05, 2009 at 10:30 AM
You are amazing...and blessed with the gift of generosity! I'm sure the shawl is greatly appreciated and will earn a substantial amount for MS! Congratulations!
I emailed you a couple of weeks ago praising your lace work and asking where to begin. I love them all but want to be successful on my first go-around. You make it look so easy...
Posted by: Maureen | June 05, 2009 at 11:21 AM
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Posted by: maxine | June 05, 2009 at 12:29 PM
I have been having a hard time clicking on your posts and pictures of lace FOs, because I am badly tempted to start something (anything! that's not a sweater!) lacey. Right now. This very second.
Gah - that yarn is too nice for words, not once, but twice.
Posted by: Anne | June 05, 2009 at 12:40 PM
That shawl is insanely gorgeous.
Posted by: Martha | June 05, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Oh, honey, I know that mad race. Pattern vs yarn vs you. I'm so glad you won.
And it's a gorgeous shawl... even if it isn't blue.
Posted by: Cookie | June 05, 2009 at 12:59 PM
What a generous prize. You're amazing. You make it look so easy. It's a double-bonus for a Finishing Friday. Great work.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 05, 2009 at 02:03 PM
OhMAN, I'm glad I donated. Maybe my lucky number will come up for this one!!! You are a wonderful friend to donate this to Claudia's cause. Awesome.
Posted by: Norma | June 05, 2009 at 02:38 PM
That's beautifully and wonderfully generous of you!
Posted by: Carole | June 05, 2009 at 02:54 PM
You make the shawl FO so seductive with the beads, and the come-ons.
Posted by: Laurie | June 05, 2009 at 03:43 PM
Gorgeous! Love the beads, too.
Posted by: --Deb | June 05, 2009 at 06:17 PM
It's beautiful. I love the muted colours and the way the beads picked up on the fabulous blue. Congratulations!
Posted by: Nancy | June 05, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Absolutely beautiful! The beads are just the perfect touch, especially with that blue color and the simple pattern. Love. It.
Posted by: Karen | June 06, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Already donated and so hope to be lucky enough to win it! It's stunning! The beads are perfect for the bit of sky. Forest Canopy will be my next foray into lace though of the fingering variety I think.
Posted by: Manise | June 07, 2009 at 04:44 PM