Thursday, July 9, 2009

Last Sneak Peek

As of today, we will no longer speak of The Shawl until it's off the needles with every stitch secured. Capice? Now that I'm finally tackling the border, I'm worried that continued bragging discussion will invite disaster.


Truth be told, I'm so worried that after ignoring fate for 171 rows, I finally placed a lifeline and I'm considering border lifelines too. In fact, now that I mentioned it, I'm definitely going to do just that. I can't imagine mucking it up now and having to rip all of this hard work out.

From point to point on this border, there are 30 row repeats. The pattern calls for 50 of these repeats before I reach the end. Granted, it starts with only 11 stitches and at its widest is only 17 stitches, still, that's a lot of work should I have to rip back.


I began the border this morning after losing the past two days to the migraine from hell. I haven't had a headache like that in years. Monday morning I went to the yarn store bright and early to pick the brains of better knitters than I. They decided the author couldn't possibly be correct in the miniscule instructions offered in the book and that the border should be done in a different stitch. I went home and pondered the expert advice and spent the next two days considering my options. Even though the shawl is knit in stockinette, the published chart is written in garter stitch. The directions truly are minimal and I thought this may be a mistake. I checked for errata, I trolled Ravelry and websites for other experiences on knitting this border. I even thought maybe the author had a migraine when she wrote the pattern which could explain why it made no sense to me. When the pain lifted in my own head this morning, I had a premonition that I should do what the author said. I read Martha Waterman's thoughts on a knitted on border for more clarity, and with a quick prayer for guidance, I cast on and this is what I got. I'd say I hit pay dirt.

So for now, this is the last you'll see of this beauty until it's truly done. There are four repeats down and only 46 to go.

I wish I had a fainting sofa.

(When you look at the photos, please keep in mind that the stitches appear wonky because the piece is not yet blocked. I promise, it'll be beautiful when it has finally had a bath.)


22 comments:

Joanna said...

It certainly looks beautiful Rudee. An amazing piece and so delicate. I can't wait to see the finished product. Sorry about the migraine. They are indeed terrible to experience.

Jane said...

It looks beautiful already, going to be stunning when it's finished. Hope the headache stays away

Stephanie V said...

That is fabulous! Anne just looked at it and adds her praise: "It looks good even dirty and unblocked!" Good luck with the border.

Rose said...

I'm so impressed I can't stand it. It is beautiful now, can't imagine how gorgeous it will be after blocking. Glad the migraine is gone; it wasn't stress related was it?

flutterby said...

So beautiful and obviously so difficult. It takes my breath away. Accolades! Accolades.

Renie Burghardt said...

Oh, my, Rudee, it looks just beautiful already! It will be a work of art, when done.

Hope the migrane has eased, and you're getting a good sleep in this morning, with no noises in the neighborhood. You need a good rested brain to ge back to your beautiful work.

Huggies!

Renie

SkippyMom said...

Ditto what everyone has said. It is absolutely breathtaking. You'll do great - no worries.

Glad you are feeling better [I laughed at the fainting couch line, so funny :D]

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I am impressed. I love the color you chose too. No wonder you had a H/A. I can hardly wait to see the finished piece. Model it for us when you finish. Blessings
QMM

Pyzahn said...

This is an amazing piece and a major accomplishment.

Migraine...be gone!!!

Brenda said...

Is this a first for you on this pattern lace knitting? You have such wonderful stick-to-it-ness. For an item that large and me having to frog 8 million times, I am afraid I would have given up. You have done an amazing job. Getting a good photo may be a challenge. I still have not gotten a good one of the shawl that I won from you. I need someone to take the photo of me with it, or a large enough area with just the right background to pose it.
No one will tire of your knitting posts Rudee.
Migraines put me out of commission for days. Excedrin Migraine kind of helps.

Ruth said...

It looks fantastic. Hoping the headaches keep away.

Unknown said...

Truly lovely and beautiful rich color.
Hate the migraines. Had a lot lately--blame it on the weather and up and down barometric pressure.

Rositta said...

Man that is one gorgeous piece of work, wow... have you ever tried Maxalt dissolvable wafers for migraine. They are a bit pricey at 20 bucks a pop but they do work. It's a Rizatriptan..ciao

Rudee said...

Thank you, everyone. Brenda, it's my first intricate circular shawl, but I can say, it won't be my last. I'm already thinking ahead to the spider shawl and saving my pennies for kidsilk haze. Th cap shawl has a destination and though I may use it myself once or twice, it won't be mine come September.

Jane said...

It's truly beautiful. Good luck on this last stage.
By a strange coincidence, I just talked about lifelines on my blog today too.

Anonymous said...

Oh, that's so beautiful! Wow.

Gail said...

And you produced this beauty from just string??? It's heavenly.

Darci said...

Oh how I wish I could attend the state fair to see your work in person!

NCmountainwoman said...

Just beautiful! Don't you hate it when the design author messes up the instructions!

Anonymous said...

Oh Rudee it's beautiful... So should we now refer to the shawl as... "That of which we do not speak"?

sandy said...

All I know is that it looks beautiful to me, so intricate. What a challenge you took on. Glad your migraine is gone!

Miss T said...

Oooh, that's beautiful! I can't wait to see it blocked.