Monday, July 06, 2009

Shawl Addiction

It may seem like I only knit shawls these days, but I swear that I have been knitting other things, too. It's just that a lot of it has been secret knitting so I can't reveal anything for a while. So, my knitting group decided to do a KAL (Knit-Along) for the Aestlight Shawl by The Shetland Trader. I jumped right in as soon I finished up a recent big project.It was fun to help each other choose our colors for the Shawl. I actually had a hard time deciding on which yarn to use because I needed the right yardage. Everything I wanted to use was short on the yardage requirement. I dug deeper into the stash and found a beautiful skein of sock yarn that had 550 yards. That would allow me to knit the largest size of the shawl.The construction of the shawl kept me captivated during the whole project. The triangle garter stitch portion is knit first. It was so easy to pick up the stitches for the border because of the yarn overs made during the garter stitch triangle. No guessing involved, just pick up the yarn overs with your needle! The triangle edging came last and it's knit sideways and attached to the live stitches of the border.I love the Bird's Eye Lace portion of the shawl. Do see the wires running along the shawl? I recently got the Knit Picks Lace Blocking Wires and this was my first time using it. It took some time to thread the wires through, but after that, it makes it so easy to form the straight sides. I am so glad that I bought them.This shawl turned out really big, but it could be due to my severe blocking of it. If I drape it over my shoulders, it hangs over my butt. I love the size, but I think it might look nice on someone much taller. So for now, it will be tucked safely in my Knitted Gifts Basket. Plus, I seem to have a problem with keeping anything for myself. I feel guilty for some reason. I kept the Green Shawl for myself recently, so I don't want to too greedy.

The shawl may be big, but it's light and airy with a beautiful drape. The yarn was a delight to knit with and very soft, so it's perfect for something against your neck.

Pattern: Aestlight Shawl (ravelry store link)
Yarn: Ruby Sock Yarn by RubySapphire Yarns in the colorway, Bethany. 550 yards of fingering weight. I had about 50 yards of yarn left over even though I made the Large size.
Needle: US 6/ 4mm
Size: 58" wide and 29" long (from the top to the bottom point of the shawl)

29 comments:

Salihan said...

Stunning! Love the colour and the pattern is really lovely. -me@salihan.com

knithound brooklyn said...

Your shawl kick is paying off. Big time. This one is super wonderful. I love the color and the pattern. Thanks for knitting this up - I'm off to queue it in my Rav.

Sue said...

How beautiful is the blue color and a perfect match with the pattern, just gorgeous. I havent even tried to knit a shawl.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

That is without a doubt the most beautiful shawl I've ever seen. You amaze me!

caitlyn said...

Every single thing that you knit looks gorgeous, but I think this one takes the cake! It is breathtakingly beautiful.

Jennie said...

Another gorgeous shawl, great colour matches my bedroom =)

Micki said...

Lovely!

rohanknitter said...

That is so beautiful!! It sounds like a great pattern, too. I need to order some of those Knit Picks blocking wires!

kim said...

You are on a shawl kick! I love them though. And I wanted to knit this as soon as I saw it. Yours is gorgeous. Don't feel guilty if you decide to keep it ;).

Lisa Stepi said...

That shawl is beautiful, love the color you used.

Agnes said...

I think we all knit in certain phases. Most probably you are in the shawl phase ... and I'm in finishing the afghan phase. :)
I love this colour ... very beautiful.

flanthrower said...

Wow! This is really, really gorgeous! Very nice work!

Rima said...

It is so weird that you bought it up. I was just thinking about it. You are officially now a shawl-knitting addict. :) This one is a beauty.

LadyTr0uble said...

I am so jealous; I have yet to start on my shawl. I keep finding things to knit for others...

Kirsten said...

Gudrun's design is really beautiful & you chose gorgeous yarn to knit it in! Love this x 1000!

Rebekah said...

this is beautiful! I love the purple yarn

Jeanne said...

Beautiful shawl! The construction sounds interesting and unusual which is always fun. Love the color...too bad its big on you - I'd hate to give it away if it were mine...

Hannah said...

There are many worse addictions to be had...! This one is at least productive, and I'll bet it will make someone very happy when they receive one of your beautiful shawls as a gift. :)

Stephanie said...

that looks so beautiful - and it really shows off the yarn wonderfully.

shirley said...

So many people are making this shawl...yours is gorgeous! Love your choice of yarn. Beautiful work.

Sam said...

This is really beautiful. I love the yarn you have used for this.

Rachel said...

Another wonderful project!

hetty said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I love the colour and pattern you used. When I see all of your beautiful shawls, it makes me want to knit one too.

Christy T said...

gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

Sanguiknity said...

Your shawls are so beautiful!! I especially love the orange one that you hand dyed and spun (that shawl is all you - how cool!). I have never made a shawl myself, but I do like the idea of them and have a few commercially-made ones - I also wouldn't wear them the traditional way, but I agree that they are so versatile.

I love all the photographs in your blog! I always drool a little at the chocolate raspberry one in your header :)

Mallory

Judy said...

Oh, I'm in love!! I love this shawl! The color, the pattern, everything about it! Great job. I also love N.J. - I was born there! Great photos of the little one.

Octopus Knits said...

Wow! All your shawls are lovely :)

Farmors said...

Thank you for a nice trip in your lovely blog! I just had to buy this pattern!

Anonymous said...

I love this shawl , makes me want to get in practice for knitting