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october 7, 2005

unchained melody

The "Melody" shawl survived its soak and block. Here it is just the slightest bit damp still, resting on the chair in front of the desk with my knitting stuff (note ball winder!). The twisted stitch "steeks" are brilliant. They hold the stitches perfectly so there's no unravelling.

And here she is all finished. And just in time too! I plan to wear her this weekend at Shannon's wedding*. Evening outdoor wedding + a strapless dress = gonna need a shawl. And since Shannon gave me the kit, it seemed like the perfect wrap to bring with.

The boys helped out with the photography again, which means a lot of fun pictures for you. At first B took a picture of his feet. It does show the fringe pretty well actually. Then S took a nice picture of me, but not much shawl. Finally, S took the winner above and B the pretty shot below.

That's a lot of knitting in that there shawl (look at how long she is), but it really was a delight. The Morehouse laceweight is such a pleasure to knit with and is wonderfully soft and feather-light. I may have to get some more of this when I go to Rhinebeck!

* (I'll miss a few posts this holiday weekend, as we'll be busy with wedding events. But I promise adorable twin ring bearer pictures when we get back!)

posted by alison at 8:12 am | in the scarf file
Comments

It's gorgeous Alison! the colors are enough to make me think of using something other than green for my next project! :)

Posted by: shireen at October 7, 2005 8:35 AM

Your shawl is beautiful! Those are some mighty talented photographers you have. Have a wonderful time at the wedding.

Posted by: Karen at October 7, 2005 9:03 AM

Have a wonderful time at Shannon's wedding! Will you get to wear your Malabrigo Clapotis this wedding weekend as well? Both are absolutely beautiful, and great for an October wedding weekend!

Posted by: Johanna at October 7, 2005 9:18 AM

Oh, I really like your shawl. I'm a little nervous about the whole steek and cut, but it's so beautiful! I have to buy some of that Morehouse laceweight.

Posted by: jenny at October 7, 2005 9:30 AM

Simply, gorgeous.

Nice work once again, Alison!

Posted by: neysa at October 7, 2005 9:35 AM

i think i know what my big purchase is going to be at rhinebeck...morehouse is going to be there, i think? what's great about the perspective of those pictures is that is how they see us...towering above them...

Posted by: lisa b at October 7, 2005 9:41 AM

Just beautiful ... I'll be the one elbowing people aside at Morehouse's booth at Rhinebeck, angling to get one of those kits for myself.

Following your links led to the Morehouse small projects page ... which features a clucking chicken. My three year old was very amused.

Posted by: Ruth at October 7, 2005 9:44 AM

Tell us more about those steeks... only twisted stitches?? No sewing??

Posted by: Helene at October 7, 2005 9:52 AM

No Helene, just a column of twisted stitches on either side with about 15 stitches inbetween. When you look at the steek stitches, it's amazing but the yarn really does look "locked" like it can't unravel. The yarn is also very sticky wool, not scratchy at all, but it likes to grab on to itself, so it's not the sort of yarn to go running anywhere anyway. Still, it just seems incredible that you can just do twisted stitches and then cut it! Even to me. :)

Posted by: alison at October 7, 2005 10:25 AM

Looks fabulous! Those rows must have been soooo long to knit.

Posted by: Lauren at October 7, 2005 10:33 AM

Melody looks beautiful! I can't wait until Rhinebeck.

Posted by: --Deb at October 7, 2005 10:50 AM

It's absolutely beautiful, wonderful work!

Posted by: Sarah Elizabeth at October 7, 2005 10:52 AM

Incidentally, Cara over at January One is organizing a meet-up at Rhinebeck . . . I hope to see you there!!

Posted by: --Deb at October 7, 2005 11:14 AM

Wow, that is gorgeous!!

Posted by: joanna at October 7, 2005 11:22 AM

The shawl is gorgeous! I'm curious if you find a problem with curling on the edges since it didn't look like you did anything other than stockinette the whole way. It looks like it blocked really well from the pictures.

Posted by: nancy at October 7, 2005 11:36 AM

SO pretty! I love the simple elegance of that shawl.

Posted by: Beth S. at October 7, 2005 11:51 AM

OOH! What day are you going to be at Rhinebeck? My mom & I are going Sunday. Hope to see you there!

Posted by: jenny at October 7, 2005 12:11 PM

It is really lovely. I love the colors.

Posted by: Robyn at October 7, 2005 12:32 PM

The shawl is truly beautiful! I love how you got the fringe. I have always stayed away from projects that have fringe added on. I love this idea!

Posted by: Deb at October 7, 2005 1:04 PM

It's so beautiful!! And I bet you had a really fun photography session ;)

Posted by: yuvee at October 7, 2005 1:24 PM

Gorgeous shawl! Is the whole thing stockingette, and if so, do the edges roll at all?

Posted by: Kathy at October 7, 2005 2:21 PM

With regard to rolling edges, they rolled a little before blocking. But the lace-weight yarn is knit at such a larger gauge (on US10's) that there isn't really that much incentive for it to roll - I find things knit at tighter gauges tend to roll more. And after a gentle blocking (I was too lazy to use pins) it's barely a centimeter that rolls in. The entire thing is over 20" wide anyway, so even if a whole inch rolled in on the edges, it'd still be plenty wide.

Posted by: alison at October 7, 2005 4:28 PM

You look great! I'm just a neophyte and I was really nervous about the cutting too, but it turned out lovely. Your kids' attempts at photos are so cute!

Posted by: Gloria at October 7, 2005 6:29 PM

Wow. That's a beautiful shawl. And what a smart design. I may just have to look for that one.

Yay! You're going to Rhinebeck! Hope to see you there! :)

Posted by: Jessica at October 7, 2005 6:31 PM

Wow -- I just love that! How long did it take you to knit it?

Posted by: Melinda at October 7, 2005 6:43 PM

That is really nice. I was going to try to avoid Morehouse at Rhinebeck (and their store on the way home) but I think I am going to have to pick this up. Have fun at the wedding.

Posted by: Suzanne at October 7, 2005 7:03 PM

It's simple, luxurious, contemporary yet timeless all in one shawl. Truly beautiful. Great choice, great job!

Posted by: Liz at October 7, 2005 7:21 PM

Wow! It's beautiful. What a clever pattern. It also looks more delicate on than I was expecting from the close ups while you were knitting. Perfect for the wedding!

Posted by: jo at October 7, 2005 7:33 PM

i just had to order a kit too - can't wait until it arrives!

Posted by: Nat at October 7, 2005 7:45 PM

ooo lala, looks awesome!
like I needed another reason to visit the morehouse booth (or all of the morehouse booths as the case may be).

Posted by: turtalia at October 7, 2005 10:01 PM

Hello Allison. I've enjoyed looking at all of the great things that you make. The shawl is lovely. Aside from that, I notice that you are pretty taken with Harry Potter. You may well know (or not) that witchcraft is not just fiction, but a real life practice of many. It is an abomination to God, something that He hates. When we buy things, we support those things even if it is not our intention. Just wanted (needed) to drop this line.

Posted by: Zina Davis at October 7, 2005 10:02 PM

Your shawl turned out lovely. I hope that the Morehouse kit I have waiting in the wings turns out as well.

Have fun at the wedding!

Posted by: Lolly at October 7, 2005 10:16 PM

What a nice colour!
And such a good idea to use it for the wedding.
My sister is also getting married and I have to say...You bring me on a good idea, in Holland there is somehow always wind, a Shawl is perfect!
thanks!
Mirjam
http://waterknitting.blogspot.com/

Posted by: Mirjam at October 8, 2005 3:19 AM

The picture that S took of you is beautiful, as is the shawl!

Posted by: Jaime at October 8, 2005 8:16 AM

That shawl is lovely. And I clicked on your link to Shannon's blog and saw the tank you made her. You are such a doll. And personally, I think God likes a good quidditch game every now and then ;)

Posted by: Farrah at October 8, 2005 10:17 AM

What a great shawl! I love all your photos of the process...it definitely helps those of us (me!) who need visuals to understand what's in writing. It's a very impressive looking wrap!

Posted by: Leslie at October 8, 2005 7:18 PM

I was only mildly skeptical, but is that nice, ever. I really like the fabric as it wears on the body. Very nice. See you (ironically) at Rhinebeck.

Posted by: julia fc at October 9, 2005 3:57 PM

I am also a big Harry Potter fan so of course I was concerned over the comment about witchcraft being an "abomination to God". Today in my weekly conversation with God he reassured me that while he has some issues with a few "alternative" religions (and many issues with lousy literature) he is trying to learn to be more accepting. Also....he clarified the Harry Potter controversy by telling me that what he said about the books was he thought they were "da-bomb". Of course you can see how that might be misinterpreted.

Posted by: poormary at October 9, 2005 10:43 PM




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