Thursday, April 12, 2007

I DID IT !!!!

3 weeks, missing 1 stitch or a yo, a single row which takes 30 minutes, hours of unpicking & tears (almost) - doesn't this sounds like a nightmare - don't worry, it's not - it's my Swallowtail Shawl which I cast off last night.
I could'nt wait for morning so that I can take a pic of the shawl before blocking ......... 52cm x 104cm - it was bigger than I expected - anyway, that's good as I wanted it big. After taking this pic, ran to the sink to give it a soak in a Eucalyptus Wool Wash, then a quick rinse, squeeze it out & lay it on top of the washing machine for a squeeze again with a towel & then called for my girls to help with the pinning.

Blocking was a problem as I don't have the floor space, so just laid a towel on top of the duvet cover of the guest bed & started pinning - it was really amazing to see the pattern when the shawl is wet & stretched out .....


.... 70cm x 145 cm - wow! that's more than 30% increase in size & should be a nice size to wrap around - I was so excited to see it all blocked out & the lovely pattern - it's like magic as the pattern was not so visible when I was knitting it! It's incredible & I just want to cast on another lace shawl but I will exercise some constraint & wait for my Victorian Lace book.
Please forgive me for all the details here but I just had to share my excitement with all of you & some more pics (I think I must have taken dozens).....




...... a close up view (I hope I have pinned the points correctly)




Knitting this shawl had been an experience - sometimes sweet & sometimes bitter but I will definitely do it again. I am so happy with this shawl & lace knitting is definitely in my list of must knits. For the time being, I will be going back to all my single socks & knit up their partners.....

14 comments:

2paw said...

Oh Ann, it's a work of art!! It's so beautiful!! No wonder you couldn't wait!! I can see that you had a very productive Easter!!!

tiennieknits said...

It's gorgeous! I love that color. Fantastic job!

Andrea said...

Pretty!

Lisa said...

It is so beautiful and I love the colour. One of my favs!

Roseann said...

Beautiful lace work, the color and the design are gorgeous together. The edging is especially pretty, it's hard to believe it is your first lace project!

Sasha said...

Hooray!! Great work Anne! It looks FANTASTIC!! It makes me want to chuck a sickie today, leave work and knit knit knit away at my lace al day instead! haha!

Michelle said...

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. very pretty!!! did you have any leftover yarns?? i havent really progress on my shawl yet. i hope that 1 skein will have enough yarns as i'm knitting it in 5.5mm needle. yikes!!!

i hope my shawl will turn out nice too. crossing my fingers!!

Sam said...

wow! that is totally stunning! Blocking lace is magic isn't it?

Sharon said...

Absolutely beautiful, the colour is gorgeous.

KnittingNutter said...

Amazing lace - it's absolutely beautiful.

Dipsy Doodle said...

How very, very beautiful this is! Your shawl certainly is a work of art - I've always loved the pattern, and you knit it up so beautifully - and it looks just awesome in this pretty colourway! Congratulations on a really great accomplishment!

Dipsy D.
http://www.millharrow.com

pinky-yin said...

Niceeeeee!!!!! you have to bring it to the next city nits :)

Cecilia said...

That came out beautiful! It's really lovely. The color is stunning. And it blocked to a lovely shape & size.

Carol said...

Your shawl is breathtaking! A stunning work of art!