Dear Jan,
I don’t know why I doubted it. I’ve done it before, and yet I couldn’t quite believe in the transformation that a wet block creates. I am happily reporting that I was a real silly. While I was pretty happy with the unblocked shawl, shown here spread on the bed, I am near delirious with the blocked shawl, shown draped over the stair rail.
Wild Carrot measures about 68″ in diameter. I’m a tad concerned it is too long, but I think that because Karen will be wearing it when her train is down and will convert it to a shawl for the reception, it should be fine. The weight is good - just under 150 grams and because it is so spread out, the fabric just floats around you. It will look much lovelier on Karen, but to give you an idea, here I am modeling it as veil.
The way the spirals undulate towards the center of this shawl give me a funny feeling in my stomach - a good funny feeling, if you know what I mean. I think it is this simultaneous mathematical design and sheer beauty that tickles something inside of me.
The statistics: Size 8 needles, Queen Anne’s Lace by Mmario (Ravelry), Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace, just under 3 skeins or about 1350 yards.
I hope you are safe and sound in London. Give my best to Vanessa.
Love,
Ellen
Jan and Ellen are identical twins who have always had an innate fashion sense. Crafting is an integral part of their lives and they stay stitched together sharing their love of knitting, family and community.
February 22nd, 2009 at 3:02 pm
WOW. That’s beautiful. And huge. Must have taken a long time. Well done.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:56 pm
!!! I love it! I can’t wait to see it in person!
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Gorgeous!! : )
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Ellen–
Gorgeous! It does look floaty and veily (new word) enough for a bride. When you are holding it outside, it almost disappears! Beautifully done. Lucky Karen!
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Yay! Wet block to the rescue! Looks like you won’t be knitting this pattern again. I’m really happy to see that your worries were for naught. The garment is absolutely beautiful, and will be perfect for the ceremony.
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:40 am
Absolutely Beautiful!
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Oh, Ellen. That is absolutely stunning — it’s perfect.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
It is absolutely breathtaking! I love the spiraling, too!! It seemed like you knit it very fast, but maybe not so much from your viewpoint.
I watched Gone With the Wind this weekend (out of town and the No-Tel Motel had cable!) and Melanie is wearing the most gorgeous pale blue lace shawl in one scene. I would never have believed that someone of our time could make something so stunningly beautiful — and here is an example knit by Ellen!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Ellen, Wild Carrot is beyond beautiful, it’s beautiful in the way to make you weep tears, touchingly beautiful.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Wow. The veil is beautiful. I’m sure the bride will love it! (And blocking is such a miracle!)
February 24th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Ellen,
I can’t tell you how beautiful Karen’s veil is. She will be a true vision on her wedding day. What an amazing gift to receive from her mother. Imagine the joy she will have passing that on to her sister or her daughter on day! This is an amazing piece of knitting.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Ohh, it’s so pretty - and it’s going to look so beautiful on her, too! Congratulations on a gorgeous piece of knitting!
February 25th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
wow. beautiful. lucky lucky karen!
you are just an amazing knitter (and mother)
did i mention karen is lucky?
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:56 am
Stunning!