Wednesday, September 06, 2006

The Tiniest Little Shawl

I have a subscription to Interweave Knits. It's the only knitting magazine I have a subscription to. I usually find a few things per issue that I want to knit. The fall issue was unremarkable. Fun to look at, but nothing I needed to own. Until I saw this shawl. I immediately fell in love with the Swallowtail Shawl. And since my final Knitty Cheap Ass Secret Pal Package contained the exact yarn used in the pattern I had to cast on.

This shawl was a very quick knit. I finished the bud lace on Friday, the Lily of the Valley Edging 1 & 2 on Saturday, and the edging Sunday Morning. I blocked it on Monday and by Tuesday I was wearing my beautiful new shawl.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

No wait...that's not me in the picture is it.

Nope that's Pork Chop modeling HER new shawl. But it's a perfect fit.

Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl from Interweave Knits (Fall 2006)

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Lace, one skein

Needles: Size 4 Addi Turbos

Modifications: None, but I wish I'd made some. As I was knitting I kept thinking this shawl looks small, maybe I should add a few more pattern repeats. But knitter's denial kept me knitting as directed. After I cast off I realized I still had half a skein left and the shawl was roughly the size as my cat.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Now we all know blocking can cure a multitude of evils, but I just didn't think it could stretch this shawl into a grown-up shawl. At this point I could have frogged and started over, adding pattern repeats this time. But Turtle Girl has begged me to spare my knits for September and not frog anymore. Her heart just can't watch all that knit fabric reduced to mere hanks. As we've discussed before a hank is yarn's lowest form of being. Hank yarn is sad yarn. She couldn't watch me destroy the hopes and dreams of any more yarn. I also didn't think I could endure another round of P5tog with my blunt Addis. I've never wished for different needles when knitting with Addis. But I found myself dreaming of those pointy new KnitPicks needles. So in the absence of better needles I deferred to Turtle Girl's wishes and blocked this beautiful shawl, stretching it within an inch of it's life.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

It is now the perfect little girl shawl. And she is so happy, how could I break her heart by telling her it was a knitting mistake.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

A beautiful knitting mistake.

Review: Things we have learned

1. There is a reason this was modeled on a hanger, not a person.

2. That pretty model in Interweave Knits is a midget.

3. Addi's are too freakin' blunt for complex lace work

4. Misti Alpaca Lace is a soft dream and I must hoard all I can find.

5. Pork Chop is happy to be knit for (unlike that ungrateful Bird). Must knit more for my elder children

6. Listen to the knits. If they say they'll be small, they'll be small. Trust your creepy new yarn whispering.

12 comments:

Amy said...

It's beautiful, Mamma. She just looks thrilled to have it too. Isn't it nice to have grateful recipients of your work?
(It's the perfect color for her too, btw. Just lovely!)

shiguy4076 said...

I love the shawl it looks so gorgeous on her.
Shi

turtlegirl76 said...

It's gorgeous! It makes me AND porkchop happy! She's so cute in her little shawl! Look at the smile on that face! Aren't you glad you didn't rip? So cute.

Lynda said...

It was obviously meant for her all along!! Gorgeous - both of them.

Pyewacket said...

It sure is gorgeous on her. Such an elegant young lady.

SuzannaBanana said...

She looks fabulous in that shawl. I bet that's going to be something she remembers forever, that you made this beautiful thing for her.

I thought it looked small in the IK picture, too. Those models must be tiny, like television actresses.

Ceci said...

Way to go on the decision not to frog it! It's perfect. :)

Anonymous said...

Well I think it's fab. i loved the look of it in IK. Your little lady looks lovely wearing it.

Zonda said...

That is just gorgeous!!! It looks so cute on her! Glad you didn't frog!

Brittany said...

I love that colour! It looks lovely on your little one too.

That Misti Alpaca is yummy hey? *swoon*

Batty said...

Oh, it's the perfect size for her! She looks so happy wearing it. Good decision not to frog it, the color is gorgeous on her.

Charity said...

Beautiful job! Even the mistakes have a purpose, and your dd looks so very happy. I've heard wonderful things about that yarn, and have been planning to get my hands on some, too! :0)