Seraphim

• Pattern: Seraphim by Miriam Felton, available at MimKnits.
• Yarn:  Woolen Rabbit Whisper Merino Laceweight in Seascapes (I wish I could capture the depth of color, the blues with green bits.  So good.)
• Needles:  size 3
• Cast On:  February 8, 2008
• Bound Off:  February 19, 2008
• Blocked: February 20, 2008

There is not a chance that I can capture this shawl photographically. That is unfortunate, as it is one of my favorites of all the things I have knitted. Another perfect melding of yarn and pattern, dye job and knitter. One of my favorite SPA moments was when I took the shawl to show Kim (I had to let her be the first to see it) and as we held it up someone came up to check it out. Kim and I turn to each other, point and say at the same moment, "She dyed the yarn," "She knit it." If only Mim had been there, we could have had a grand old mutual admiration bash!

Speaking of Mim, I cannot say enough good things about this pattern. I have to admit, when I had considered it before, I thought it quite simple and with all of that stockinette stitch a little, well... Boring isn't the right word, but you get my drift (don't you?). For some reason though, I found myself being drawn back to it again and again, especially when deciding what to knit with this yarn. It was the perfect choice, this is probably my favorite shawl so far. Then again, I do have a history of my favorite being the one I just finished, no matter what it is. The pattern is so elegantly designed and well written, I suggest you run to Kim's and then to Mim's and make one. It should be told that the pattern calls for fingering weight yarn on a size five needle, and I knit mine in laceweight on a size three. To make sure I had a shawl as big as I wanted it, I knitted twenty-four more rows in the stockinette stitch section than the pattern is written for.  Then, panicking that I would run out of yarn, eliminated four rows in the first chart by working some increases without yarn overs to compensate.  Turns out I had plenty of yarn, but it doesn't really alter the effect of the eyelets leading into the lace that much at all and the shawl is just the size I aimed for.  Unfortunately, I have no action shots and the shawl has been worn enough to have lost that "just blocked and looking perfect for the photo shoot" appearance, but Woolybuns Chris has photo of my Seraphim clad back on this post.

Shall I go on about Woolen Rabbit yarn again? I cannot even believe how wonderfully it knitted into my shawl. The colors add just enough interest to give the shawl a certain fluidity, but without detracting from the lace or stitch definition in any way. It is soft and just perfect for lace. The highest praise? I bought more at SPA. Not my last purchase, I'm sure.

Three hundred nine to go. The 29th of February is an official "day off" for the participants of Blog 365. I'm torn. The thought of a day off is met with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it could be nice to leave the blog quiet and have this post up all day. On the other hand, I sort of twitch at the thought of not posting and feel that no matter what, I will get to the end of the year and have a sense of not quite completing the blog for a year thing. I'm on the fence. I guess we'll find out some time tomorrow, won't we?

Comments

[sandy]

Terry, that is breathtaking! The color perfect, of course!
xo

[margene]

Not only are the yarn and pattern perfectly suited for each other, you know the perfect words to describe your experience and the finished product. It's so beautiful, so amazing. Good work, grrlfriend!

[Danielle]

Lovely. Thumbs up to you, Kim, and Mim. A formidable combination!

[Norma]

Just gorgeous!Remember the name is Blog 365, not 366. :)

[Carole]

It's absolutely gorgeous. The perfect combination of pattern, yarn and knitting skillz.

[Kim]

You did such an INCREDIBLE job on this shawl....I LOVE it!

[Marcia Cooke]

Simply. Stunning.

[Teyani]

such a stunning completion.
congrats to all three of the 'participants' in the creation of this beauty. (grin) I've long enjoyed Mim's patterns - and Kim's dyeing is an incredible gift to us all.... and your great execution of the porject... well it's yummy.

[Anne]

It's stunning. (How do you do this so fast?)

[Lin]

Beautiful, and the blue is gorgeous.

[Julie]

It is GORGEOUS!

[PumpkinMama]

Really beautiful work - it was cool to see it on you in all the SPA photos people posted.

FYI - swapped out my afteroon coffee for green tea, so you've half converted me.

[Karen]

Your shawl is beautiful! The yarn and the pattern work perfectly together.

[Chris]

I was delighted to see I captured your pretty shawl in a photo. You did the design and yarn proud.

[Manise]

Gorgeous and more so in person, but I have to say those photos are super! The last one depicts the the greenish bits best. Nice job!

[Anne]

It came out perfectly and absolutely stunning. I have to admit to wondering why the pattern is sort of like potato chips (or insert snack of choice here). I'm having trouble putting mine down and keep picking it up to "just" work one of those gazillion-stitch-long rows.

[claudia]

Very pretty. I love knitting shawls, but its the wearing of them that I have problems with. Are you wearing this one?

[Suzanne]

It's beautiful. I am going to have to check and see if I have that pattern in the pattern stash.

[Karen]

Beautiful, just beautiful! I can't believe how fast you knit shawls!

[Beth S.]

I wish I could have seen this one in person at Spa! The pictures are glorious, but I know that the reality must be ten times as good.

And on a related note, how much fun is it to say "Kim and Mim"? :-) :-) :-)