I'm surprised nobody guessed what I have planned for that Blue Zephyr of mine. I thought the hint was pretty good.
Well, here's what I'm doing. Of course, you already know that I love the Peacock Feathers Shawl. I made it last Spring and love it, even if it is huge. Because, it IS huge. And also, as much as I adore the variegated Shimmer yarn I used for it--subtle enough that it looks fabulous without taking away too much from the actual beauty of the pattern. Although yes, depending on the color I wear it over, sometimes you see the colors more than the lace. But I don't care. It's gorgeous and I love it.
But . . . I really like that lace pattern. The lace version of the Peacock tail is just so stunning. I'd love to have a whole, 'nother shawl in a solid color (and a little smaller). However, I'm not a fan of knitting a pattern a second time. With the exception of basic socks, I can't think of any patterns I've ever knitted more than once except for my Tannenbaum hat.
So, what's a knitter to do?
Yep. Modify the pattern so it's different and yet the same.
And so, I'm making a Peacock Feathers Stole.
I cast-on enough stitches for five repeats of the "tail" section, plus a 3-stitch border on both sides (that's 126 stitches) and am going to knit the lace pattern, with no increases, just . . . a rectangle.
The cast-on edge will be the center back. After I've gotten to the edge on the first half, I will go back and do the same thing for the other side. I haven't decided yet if I'll pick up the 126 stitches and then head in the opposite direction, or if I'll knit the second half as an entirely separate second panel and then graft the two together. (At the moment, I'm leaning toward the second option, but we'll see when I get there.)
But when I'm done, I'll have a blue, Peacock, rectangular stole, which will hopefully be a more managable size than the original shawl (grin).
The other thing? I keep looking at this pattern and thinking how lovely it would look made as curtains. See, here's what I've got at my bedroom windows--just three, straight, lace panels. No drapes, no shades, just these basic panels that cover 3/4 of the windows. (Hey, I'm in the back of the house, and no, you can't see into my windows from the houses on the street behind us.) I like this look for my window--it lets in lots of light, it's not "frilly" at all, since I'm not really a frilly kind of person, it provides enough privacy, but I can see through them when I want to. (I kind of like this picture, too--you can see my bed reflected in the window, in all its multi-colored glory, in the pool of light shining on the gold-yellow walls . . . like that!)
They are, however, about 10 years old now, and it would be very nifty to replace them with actual hand-knit lace panels . . . and I'd almost consider it, except I have three windows, and that's a lot of lace. And--even more important--the same piece three times. Three. I don't know that I'm up to that! (grin) But, wouldn't it look stunning in the Peacock pattern??
Hmm . . . I wonder what kind of yarn one would need to use for something like that? Something that would block properly, for the lace, and yet be sturdy enough to stand up to the hanging and the constant daylight . . .
Oh my, for the past three day I've been thinking and looking around for ..... patterns for lace curtains/panels.
Don't know what yarn I'm going to use but it is not cotton!
Posted by: Marina | March 15, 2006 at 06:17 AM
You're crazy. I'm just saying.
Posted by: Carole | March 15, 2006 at 07:09 AM
I love your new idea! A Peacock stole will be beautiful, and just perfect in Zephyr. I can't wait to see it! :)
Knitted lace panels - hmm, I can't even imagine what would stand up to sunlight.
Posted by: Jackie | March 15, 2006 at 08:05 AM
Obvious answer is 'cotton' but you could probably find one of the new mixes of cotton and modal or something like that (ask Knitpicks) and wouldn't it be absolutely Too Cool to design a tryptich (sp?) where you'd use the same yarn but create a 'scene' when you look at the 3 panels all together?
Posted by: Nancy J | March 15, 2006 at 08:15 AM
Laceweight linen. :) Interweave or Knitters had a pattern for such a thing maybe 5 or 6 years ago. I bet you could to three different lace patterns with a common theme or tie them together with the same edging or something similar.
The STOLE sounds lovely!
Posted by: Chris | March 15, 2006 at 08:39 AM
If your hands can stand it, go for linen. I've got a couple of cones of Euroflax Paris (I think that's the name)--it comes in lots of colors and will stand the test of time. Crochet cotton would be the next thing.
Can't wait to see the stole--I'm sure it will be gorgeous!
Posted by: Anita | March 15, 2006 at 10:50 AM
Fabulous idea! I love stoles and can't wait to see how it comes out!
Posted by: margene | March 15, 2006 at 11:31 AM
I love the idea of a stole!!!... I've never really liked triangular shawls (even though your peacock shawl could sway me)
Posted by: Chrissy | March 15, 2006 at 02:27 PM
Can't wait to see the stole all done - it's going to be gorgeous ;o)
Not commenting on the lace panel thing...'cuz I agree with Carole *eg* I guess I just commented on it, didn't I...
Posted by: JessaLu | March 15, 2006 at 02:39 PM
Stole - table runner - what's the dif? hahahaha I crack myself up...
Posted by: Beth | March 15, 2006 at 04:24 PM
Marianne Kinzel's First Book of Lace Knitting has lace panels in it. Ever since I saw them, I keep thinking about how great they would look in my windows, but how making them would drive me mad!
Posted by: janna | March 16, 2006 at 01:31 AM
Wow...knitting the same pattern twice?!
Hmm...if I take in the frogging, yes, I do knit my patterns at least twice! haha!
Could you take a look at my round shawl and tell me if u think the size is decent? I am thinking it's too small. Or may it's just me?!
Posted by: Emy | March 16, 2006 at 02:49 AM
Wow that is a good idea - love the stole.
Posted by: Rose | March 16, 2006 at 10:44 PM