In Time For Spring

Pattern:  Spring Things Shawl designed by Susan Pierce Lawrence
Yarn:  Zephyr Wool/Silk in indigo
Needles:  Addi Lace size 5
Cast on:  April 18, 2009
Bound off:  May 3, 2009

This shawl was knit on some really warm days while basking in the sun.  I know I knit some golden hot rays right into it. 

My lace knitting fingers must have needed some warming up.  My fingers just could not get the hang of the first chart, so of course I knit two more repeats of it.  Two extra repeats feeling clumsy and not much like a lace knitter at all.  Two extra repeats of a lace chart that is essentially the same knitting on every row.  And I just could not burn it into my brain.

My hands settled in for the second and third charts and the rhythm of yarn overs and slip, slip, knits again worked their meditative and soothing spell over me.

 

The only other modifications I made were a suspended bind off and to replace the nupps with beads.  I was just in a beady mood and I'm glad I went for it.  Surprising, because I love nupps.  I think I may be making up for it now though. 

This is my fourth shawl knit with Zephyr and I love it.  It blocks out perfectly, crisply and with great stitch definition.  I can knit with it a lot, they dye the stuff in a great range of blues.  This is also a stash-busting project, this yarn has been in the stash for a while.  It is great to finally transform it into what it was meant to be.

Susan's pattern is excellent, very well written and beautiful.  I am so in love with it that, in a very uncharacteristic move for me, it was blocking within minutes of the binding off.  That is something for me.

 

There is one really big problem with this shawl.

I can't stop taking photos of it.

Sixty-two.  Seriously, over one hundred photos.  When I could be knitting the next lace shawl.

Comments

[Carole]

It's really beautiful.

[Alison]

Absolutely gorgeous! It makes me really want to get back into lace knitting.

[Lynn]

Wow, that is gorgeous!

[margene]

It's incredibly beautiful. You and Susan do good work together. ;-)
I need some blue Zephyr. It really is one of the best lace yarns around.

[CyndiG]

I love it. Do you use blocking wires, or do you pin it? I read about the wires the other day and they looked pretty good! Of course, it's a moot point for me since I will not have time to knit much till summer!

[Vicki]

Oh my, that is GORGEOUS!! I can see why it was hard to put down the camera!

[Nora]

Stunning! I love the beads. I have to get some lace on the needles, stat!!

[Cookie]

Gorgeous!

Sometimes, a girl just needs beads in place of nupps. A slightly showier shawl is a nice thing and it helps us to appreciate the nupps all the more.

[Walden]

It is beautiful!

[Manise]

That is one gorgeous shawl! And the beads? Oh my- just stunning.

[Laurie]

That's a beauty! I agree on the beads. I've queued the pattern into my endless queue.

[Jennifer]

Can I ask a favor? I love seeing these gorgeous shawls on everyone's blogs... but no one ever seems to take pictures of the shawls being worn. I'd love to see some shots of this work of art actually being used. I bet it will be stunning. Definitely a head turner.

: )

[Kathy]

Terry -- I LOVE that! So pretty!

[susan]

I agree 100% about the Zephyr. It's one of my favorite yarns.

[Kim]

Terry it is stunning!! What is a suspended bind off?

[Marcia]

It was even better in person! Glad I got to see it...and YOU!

[Norma]

It is just gorgeous, and I'm glad we all got to see it yesterday!

[Marlyn]

I love your little teapot plates.

[Judy]

Loved seeing it. The beads gave it just the right weight. Beautiful job, Terry.