Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Yet Another Shawl

I simply cannot stop knitting shawls. I'm powerless before this obsession. Is there a 12-step program for shawl addicts?

I'm calling this one the Pastiche Shawl, because it incorporates elements from three different patterns. The basic stitch pattern is taken from the Feather and Fan Comfort Shawl. But I didn't like the cast-on, which generated an odd number of stitches on each side of the center (not so good with an 18-stitch pattern repeat), and I wasn't too crazy about the edging either. So I used the cast-on and the edging from the Danish Tie Shawl. Then I borrowed the half-repeats from Cheryl Oberle's Feather and Fan Triangle Shawl pattern in "Folk Shawls" to make it even more featherfanish.


Delving into the stash of fingering yarn for color choices, I came up with these three. I like the way the gold, red, and multi harmonize. Not exactly picking up the same colors, but working well together. The gold is Fleece Artist 'Saffron'; the multi is Claudia Handpainted 'Butter Pecan'; and the red has a whole story around it. It's Cherry Tree Hill brand, originally called 'Nantucket Red,' then 'Nantucket', then 'Island Red', then discontinued. Apparently there were issues with another company using the name 'Nantucket Red.' Too bad; it's a splendid color, exactly the shade of old bricks that have been weathered over many years of exposure in a coastal environment.


Altogether these three colors provided about 1200 yards of yarn, to be knit on U.S. #5 needles. Surely enough for a decent sized shawl. But I wanted this one to be truly huge. And I'm not planning to stretch it much in the blocking. Perhaps more yarn. Heh. Back to the stash.


This is the final choice – 400 grams, 1600 yards. Got to be enough. I added 100 grams of dark gold – handspun and home dyed with tumeric. It's always a thrill to knit with my own handspun.


And here's where I am as of December 15. The wingspan measures about 2.5 feet and all four colors are in place. Just reaching the point where it feels like real knitting. You know, when each row takes at least 20 minutes and then they get longer and loonger and looooonger. Since Madame Pastiche had become a bit cramped on her 24" cable I relocated her to a 32" cable, and I've ordered some longer cables (60 inches!!!!) from Knitpicks just in case.

8 comments:

Sharon said...

Each row takes how long?! Oh man, I don't want to get caught up with your addiction. BTW, it was 1 degree at the gate when I got home tonight - so not shawl weather.

Delighted Hands said...

It is amazing! I need to get some of your shawl addiction.......I have the one in the unloved bucket and one that needs to be born and I am just not feeling it! I cannot believe how the colors work-it is going to be a beautiful shawl and I hope your addiction doesn't get a cure! It might be contagious and that would be an improvement for the world! Can't you just see a world full of contented people knitting shawls.....

Susan Luni said...

That's one eye-catching shawl! It is really a treat to see how you worked all those colors together into such a beautiful thing.
Did you know that yellow is the "IN" color for the coming year?

Marjorie said...

There is a 12-step program to "cure" you of shawl knitting--it is the 12-sweater KAL for 2009. I think when I'm done with that, I'll be ready for 12 shawls.

I like your color choices. I have some Nantucket Red in a pack of Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn I bought a while ago, and I'm saving it for a special pair of socks. I can't wait to see what you do with it.

Kath said...

Geez that thing grew fast!

I think you will have to go to a knitting camp or something next year so you can show off all the shawls to folks who will appreciate them.

Sheila said...

What nice colors. I love Fan and Feather and I think the colors are great. I agree that shawl knitting is addictive.

Leigh said...

Oh no, don't stop! I don't knit them so at least I can enjoy yours. :)

bspinner said...

Lovely!!!!! Color and pattern is wonderful!!!