Wow, thank you! My shawl got so many compliments yesterday, she's turning a blush pink. My blog has gotten over 900 hits in the last 24 hours (that's unheard of for me), and I just breezed past the 500 mark for total Comments. I'm touched. Really! I feel like Sally Field ("You like me. You really, really like me!") And, honestly, trying not to let it all go to my head (though my shawl is preening.)
Anyway, here's our picture. (Mom called this the "Betty Grable Shot.")
In response to a couple questions: The bed that the shawl would not fit on is a standard, double/full-size bed (not twin, not queen, not king). But I also tend to knit loosely, and I used Addi Turbos which probably accelerated the process. I'm sure that if I had used, say, bamboo needles, or a smaller size, the whole shawl would have come out smaller--thereby at least not going into that fourth skein.
That might not have been a horrible thing, either--now that I've had a chance to try my now-blocked shawl, the one problem is that it's long. I'm only 5'3" and with the shawl on my shoulders, and flat shoes . . . I'm in danger of stepping on the corners. Can you believe that?
Oh, and I started the shawl in March (on the 9th ot 10th), so . . . it took me three months. I have nothing but good to say about the pattern--it was by far the most challenging piece of lace I've ever knitted. As beautiful as the finished product is (and it is), I couldn't have done it without having such a great pattern to work with.
Now, next project? I'm definitely thinking about a designing a stole for myself. A little more brain work than following somebody else's pattern, but one that will be easier for my fingers to knit (grin). I'll probably use the copper-colored Zephyr I've had in my closet for a while. I haven't knitted anything with Zephyr yet, but have heard such good things about it, I'm looking forward to it.
There is another alternative, though. I called Artfibers in San Francisco for samples of their Chai yarn the other day. You know, famous from the Flower Basket Shawl that Stephanie made in April, and that Shelley is making now.
As an aside, not only does Artfibers have gorgeous yarn (and I hear the shop is just wonderful), but for those of us 3,000 miles away, they have a nice little outreach program--they'll send good, substantial samples of several yards of their yarns (for a minimal fee) so that you can see the colors, knit a swatch, get a feel for the yarn--all before indulging in a "real" purchase. Very nice indeed.
Anyway, so I asked for samples of 4 colors, which came yesterday. I opened the envelope and immediately picked my favorite, then put the whole thing on my dresser before heading out for the dentist (grumble, grumble). Later, Mom and I were checking out the colors (she doesn't knit, but has good taste in colors), and it occurred to me--all four look simply wonderful together. And, wouldn't a shawl knit in graduated colors in all four be just stunning?? Kind of like that Koigu Charlotte's Web shawl which made the blog-rounds not too long ago?
Yes, I think so, too!
I almost finished the waist shaping on my NbaT last night--and would have, too--had the power not gone out, again, just as I finished up a row. Now, I know the electric company has been doing serious work, digging up our neighborhood streets for over a month now, but this was 9:20 last night. Nobody was out there working. And it cut off right in the middle of watching "Veronica Mars," too.
So, we lit candles, got out the battery-lanterns. I even added a little "flasher" onto Chappy's collar so we'd be able to see him in the dark. (He really didn't like it, though, and kept trying to grab it in his mouth.) I tried some spinning, but it wasn't terribly successful by candle-light . . . which just makes me appreciate my ancestors all the more. I did read for a while, but ended up turning the light out . . . er . . . blowing the light out around 10:15.
I'm kind of disappointed about Veronica Mars, though--I was enjoying seeing the pilot again. It's such a bad time of year for television (unless you're a Reality-show fan, which I am not). I've got some good shows on DVD, though, including the newly-released "Lois & Clark," which I used to love. Now I'm just hoping for "Jack & Bobby" on DVD . . .
Oh, and this is funny: http://www.knittersanonymous.com/
Peacock's more lovely in exhibition than in recline :-)
Posted by: Nancy | June 15, 2005 at 09:00 PM
It's lovely! I was just on Artfibers site thinking about different colors of Chai. Lace is in the air . . .
Posted by: Kathy | June 15, 2005 at 09:08 PM
I have the Chai (and it's cousin Siam) in electric blue, brone and one lonely skein of reds...I love it.
Posted by: Shanti | June 15, 2005 at 09:18 PM
Absolutely stunninng. You preen those feathers, girl. Nice work. And lmbo about KA--I almost joined!
Posted by: mamacate | June 15, 2005 at 10:54 PM
Your peacock is just lovely!! Wear it in style, that color is really amazing; you're right, just like peacock feathers.
And I didn't know Lois & Clark is out on DVD! I loooooved that show when it was on! I'm gonna have to get me some of that.
Hope your power is back on!
Posted by: Secret Pal | June 16, 2005 at 09:18 AM
The shawl is stunning on as well, it's very dramatic being so large.
That's a great website, quite funny.
I really like the four colors together, your right they'd look fabulous in a graduated shawl.
Posted by: Rebekah | June 16, 2005 at 10:08 AM
You are one busy knitter. Peacock is MORE beautiful 'in action'...nice job!!
Posted by: Margene | June 16, 2005 at 11:55 AM
Okkkkkkkk, so I want to know how you blocked that enormous shawl without it getting molested by the D O G! Oh yeah...OTHER people have "extra" rooms. If I laid that kind of a project out somewhere (who am I kidding...I no longer have that much floor space around here...) there would be a creature nesting on it...sigh. It is gorgeous and BIG.
Posted by: Lisa S | June 16, 2005 at 05:48 PM
I'm only 5'3" too. It is HARD to find shawls that weren't sized for someone has tall as a Wookie. (Can you tell I'm watching star wars with the kids?) Anyway, this is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 16, 2005 at 07:47 PM
You deserve to preen over such a beautiful shawl. Wait until you use your Zephyr yarn. You will be in love.After it is blocked it is like holding air in your hands or what I imagine holding a cloud feels like. Again, very superb workmanship on your shawl.
Posted by: Terry | June 16, 2005 at 09:51 PM
Got to say it as no-one else has, if being short is a problem with Peacock, look no further I'm 5ft 10!!!!!(what,you don't care?) I'll look forward to your designing, you knit lace so beautifully.
Posted by: Tracy | June 17, 2005 at 06:08 AM
Peacock's fabulous! Anytime you get tired of it, I'm ready to take over :)
Posted by: emy | June 17, 2005 at 12:13 PM