You know, we all talk about the magic of blocking lace. And we all talk about how amazing it makes it look, so airy and light, the pattern so clear after the crumpled mess that is the freshly-knitted lace.
But how often do we actually get to see the Before and After, side by side?
On the left, the first half of my Peacock stole, fully blocked. On the right, my just-finished second half.
Yes, believe it or not, they are the same number of rows (give or take a couple), the same amount of yarn, the same needle. All of that. And yet . . . so, so different. Looking at this, I wouldn't believe that the second half is actually the same size as that first half . . . would you?? And yet, in just 24 hours (assuming I do block it tomorrow) . . . it will be.
Magic, I'm telling you.
And, remember how the other day I was mentioning how concerned I was about running out of yarn? I reminded you how much I had left after the first half?
Well, if it's a matter of a contest between the two halves, there's no question. Part Two wins in the close-call contest. Phew!! Just barely enough to be able to weave in the ends.
Now. Next for this, clearly, is the blocking, so the second half can look as beautiful as the first half.
Then. Grafting the two pieces together. The only part I've been a little nervous about, since the grafting really needs to be pretty much perfect so as not to take away from the lace. But . . . can't wait.
I cannot believe that I've been working on this since March. Almost seven months! The original triangular version only took me three months. Even though the number of stitches in each half remained constant at 126, instead of increasing with every pattern row, obviously, that didn't save me any time (grin). And having basically knitted this pattern three times now . . . I've had my fill of this lace for a while!
I did get a treat for myself. A Samsung DVD-recorder. I'm trying to be good about spending these days, but there were a couple reasons. First, there are some conflicting shows that Mom and I watch (House vs Veronica Mars is number one), and this way, I can record it up in my room and then bring it downstairs to watch. Second . . . I don't (well, didn't) have a DVD player in my room. A VCR built-in to the television, and my laptop does have a DVD player, but . . . that's not practical if I want to watch a movie while reading all your blogs, you know? So I decided to get myself a DVD-R.
Although, I haven't tried playing the DVD-RW from this machine in the DVD-R downstairs . . . fingers crossed! And if not . . . I still have a recorder and player in my bedroom, so I can watch things that I enjoy but Mom doesn't. So, well worth the money, right?
This is so spooky -- we were just talking about DVRs tonight. Our VCR developed a fatal flaw last night (recording An Officer and a Gentleman instead of the Packers football game and refusing to acknowledge the difference), and we decided it might be time to move to the 21st century. I haven't been able to find any hardware reviews -- how did you choose what you bought?
Posted by: Meg | October 03, 2006 at 11:07 PM
Wait, how are you going to graft?! Where is the yarn for that?? Congrats on finishing - it's lovely and I can hardly wait to see the whole thing.
Posted by: Chris | October 04, 2006 at 12:02 AM
The difference in shawl size is amazing! I hope you will show your grafting process. That pattern looks so amazing in that color by the way:)
Posted by: Deb | October 04, 2006 at 01:23 AM
The Peacock stole is going to be an absolute thing of beauty! It's just stunning already.
Posted by: Julie | October 04, 2006 at 05:17 AM
The magic of blocking is always fun. Good luck with the grafting!
Posted by: Carole | October 04, 2006 at 06:12 AM
That side by side comparison is definitely amazing. I love that lace pattern, though I definitely won't be knitting it. I can't wait to see it finished once you've sorted out the seaming.
Posted by: Susan | October 04, 2006 at 07:48 AM
Wow, that's amazing about the blocking! And that you've done Peacock three times!
But you're watching Buffy, and we all know that Buffy fans are the amazing people on earth.
Posted by: Amy | October 04, 2006 at 07:51 AM
gotta love the lacey goodness. and such a beautiful shade of blue!
i'm thinking about getting a dvr, myself.
Posted by: minnie | October 04, 2006 at 08:06 AM
that Peacock Stole is amazing. I'm not a lace knitter (should I say "yet") - I certainly appreciate fine work when I see it - and that's gorgeous !
Posted by: Teyani | October 04, 2006 at 09:00 AM
Blocking is magic! I love the color....so pretty. I hope you have enough yarn to do the grafting.
Posted by: Karen | October 04, 2006 at 09:05 AM
Wow. Thanks for that lesson in why we block. I'm with Chris wondering how you will graft it with no yarn left?
Your new 'toy' looks like fun. Hope it works well.
Posted by: lorinda | October 04, 2006 at 09:17 AM
I've been dreaming about knitting that peacock shawl lately, Since I'm done with the moth. I love the stole version you're doing. And what a difference pre and post blocking! Amazing!
Posted by: Cheryl | October 04, 2006 at 10:39 AM
I hope you have enough to graft!! ;o)
We have a DVD-R that has a VCR built into it - we love it and the movies will play on a regular DVD player (at least, they do on ours...)
Posted by: JessaLu | October 04, 2006 at 11:00 AM
Wow, the difference is amazing. Will you have enough yarn to graft? Seems like you're cutting it close. I've been thinking about a DVR for the same reason - too many shows I'm missing (like last night - grrr).
Posted by: Stephanie | October 04, 2006 at 11:39 AM
What a huge difference!! Now I'm a little worried that the shawl I'm working on will be just the right size for Godzilla!
Posted by: MeBeth | October 04, 2006 at 12:24 PM
You're right, a before and after picture is far different than seeing the two next to each other. Love that lace blocking magic!
Good idea on the DVD recorder. Not sure if the RW will play in the regular player unless you finalize the disk, which negates tht whole RW thing. But it surely is worth a try. With the House move to 8pm, it doesn't still conflict with Veronica does it? Isn't that now on at 9? But wait, there's somethng else you watch at 8 :)
Posted by: Risa | October 04, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Thanks for the side-by-side comparison - amazing! Good luck with the blocking and grafting.
Posted by: Ina | October 04, 2006 at 12:39 PM
Wow! I never realized the difference! I can't wait to see it all blocked an all!
Posted by: Gracie | October 04, 2006 at 01:31 PM
Wow, that's cutting it close on the yarn front - I'll bet you were sweating bullets on that last row! Blocking is indeed magic.
Posted by: Renee | October 04, 2006 at 01:43 PM
Wow, that is an amazing difference to see it side by side like that. And good grief! That's all you had left? Wowza.
DVR recorder perfectly sensible purchase. But anything over House? Even Veronica Mars? No, no, no.
Posted by: Carrie K | October 04, 2006 at 01:51 PM
Wow, what an amazing difference. WE'll look forward to hearing about how you like your DVD Recorder and about it's ease or pain of use.
Posted by: Rebekah | October 04, 2006 at 02:06 PM
It's amazing how differently sized the two pieces are! But they are beautiful and I hope you wear it proudly and often!
I've been wondering about those DVD-RWs. Please let us know how it goes!
Posted by: Debby | October 04, 2006 at 02:20 PM
I've experienced the magic of knitting lace, and it never ceases to amaze me. Awesome before and after shots. I'm so proud of you for finishing up the second side!
I didn't know you yet when you knit the triangular version, so I had to go look. Girlfriend, it is stunning. Simply stunning. While I'm at your house stealing yarn, I'm going to tuck that shawl into my bag. Just warning you...
DVD, so worth it.
BTW, try as I might, I've been singularly unable to come up with anything for booking through thursday this week, especially after my dismal failure of last week. :-( I did finally answer last week's question myself only today, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much, but still. LOL
Posted by: Laura | October 04, 2006 at 02:32 PM