I am new to the whole lace shawl game, so it was with much trepidation that I cast on for the Shetland Triangle. But I was encouraged and motivated by all of the beautiful examples I saw on Ravelry (if you're not on, you will be soon) and figured I'd try my hand at it. One in particular--that would be Jared's of Brooklyn Tweed--really captivated my attention. Yes I seem to be in permanent paean mode regarding our dear friend Jared but this guy has some seriously impressive talent and killer, subdued style.
In a fit of inspiration I cast on for this in July, worked on it intermittently and finished it earlier this week. One of the joys of this pattern was that light bulb moment when you mentally exclaim 'aha!' because you see and get the pattern. This moment seemed to come midway through, but I was happy to have it all the same. I highly recommend this pattern as a first time shawl, because if a major league knitting knucklehead such as myself can do it, you surely can.
The Silky Wool was from my stash and repurposed from an earlier project, which felt like a frugal and organized thing to do. The yarn seems twine-like in the hank but knits up nicely into a soft fabric, so I would recommend it for this project.
Everything I read assured me that the magic of lace was in the blocking, and I am here to tell you that it's all true. After breaking out the gigantor Le Creuset soup pot, I set about the soaking process and let it sit for several hours, during which time I cast on for the Cobblestone (Jared I SWEAR I'm not stalking you!). After a night of blocking, Peeper-lou and I were ready for our photo shoot.
I am so happy with this project. The difference pre-and-post blocking is unbelievable! Once you get the pattern you can truly knit this on auto-pilot, and it is a relatively quick knit, so any of you holiday knitter types out there, keep this baby in mind.
The Specs:
Pattern: Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool
Amount: 2 skeins
Time: July-August, intermittantly
Modifications: I didn't pin out the yos on the edge because I wasn't strongly attracted to the pointy edges. Neither did Jared.*
*What Would Jared Do?
That turned out perfectly! It looks just beautiful. I really like the juxtaposition of the grey, tweedy yarn with the lacy, delicate pattern. I'm still in the throes of my first lace shawl (the never-ending Icarus).
ReplyDeleteVeddy nice pattern. But this Jared obsession? It is getting worrisome...Would it put things in perspective if You found out he is using poor little kids in Nepal to make all his stuff and he can't knit a lick?? No? Well, there you are.
ReplyDeleteHey that's a similar stitch pattern to the Ogee skirt. I also had an A-Ha! moment about half way through when I realized what's going on.
ReplyDeleteYour shawl turned out really great! I've been sitting on Wrap Style for about 3 years now, and haven't knit a bleedin' thing from it yet.
This is a great first time shot at a shawl - beautful! I love this colorway!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I agree with Yarnhog... I like the contrast of the tweedy yarn with the beautiful lace pattern. Hmmm... I have some Silky Tweed in my stash... I may give this a go. Great work!
ReplyDeletei just finished blocking my shetland triangle yesterday. i love how yours came out in the silky wool, it's so pretty. i'm wishing mine was the size of yours, it's just perfect. it's a really great pattern, i'm pretty sure i'll knit it again..
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful shawl! Does Jared know you're stalking him? I guess as long as he doesn't get a knitting protective order, you're ok. ;o) Love your soup pot BTW.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Shetland Triangle! I am also a Jared-phile - how could anyone resist?
ReplyDeleteI love it! The design is so pretty, and you did a beautiful job. I think Jared would be very proud of you. What is it about him that makes us all gush like schoolgirls? ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, based on your hair, you don't look anything like how I imagined you. Cant' explain.
ReplyDeleteGood shawl!! I've been planning to make this one for sometime now; I'll get to it eventually.
I also have yarn coming in the mail for a Cobblestone Sweater (note the capitals).
I'm not stalking Jared either... but what can you do? The inspiration has to come from somewhere... hello, Hemlock Ring Blanket?!
I have to get me some silky tweed! You shawl is breathtaking, great job
ReplyDeletePretty. pretty shawl, love the colour. I bought a massive (400m 200g) hank of 100% silk Handmaiden in a greeny grey ocean colour and I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. I was thinking small Clapotis but may be that shawl would be nice… BTW are you Jarreds OFFICIAL stalker?
ReplyDeleteHeh, what would Jared do indeed! :) Your shawl is beautiful. You [and J] should be very proud.
ReplyDeleteThat looks great and very tempting- on my list.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! I've been drawn to that pattern, but haven't had a chance to knit it up yet. It's really lovely! Good job!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love the WWJD. My brother's name is Jared (not a knitter), so I'm going to use this version of WWJD liberally from now on!
ReplyDeleteIt's just beautiful. Tweedy yarn is *the* choice for lace. And the colour is lovely, too.
ReplyDeleteOoh it's lovely! well done you :)
ReplyDeletei too have been eyeing this for about a year.......yours turned out beautifully! I LOVE this color.......and your photoshoot.....gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!!!
ReplyDelete. . . and now you've got me thinking of tweed shawls!
Beautiful Shawl!!
ReplyDeleteWhy, that sure is an attractive shawl. With skills like that, I bet you would be worth at least 4 goats in the dowry system!
ReplyDeleteOh good! I'm so glad to see that you are a fellow Jared stalker, er, I mean fellow fan of Jared. Everytime he posts a completed project on Ravelry, I get some hairbrained idea that I need to cast on for it immediately.
ReplyDeleteYour first lace project is gorgeous! I'm wondering though, why did you let it soak for so long? Is this something you are supposed to do and I don't know it?
I loved knitting that shawl (twice!). It always turns out beautifully, and the pattern is so easy to remember.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty!
Further proof that Le Creuset is the best cookware going. What a beautiful pattern.
ReplyDeleteGosh, this is amazingly awesome - so fragile and elegant, and I adore the color. Very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat is so pretty!!! I'm feeling a STRONG hankering to cast on a lace shawl NOW. Even though I have too many other projects on the needles. Should I stay strong, or cave?? LOL
ReplyDeleteI love the tweedy lace I've seen lately, and yours is perfect -- cozy, sophisticated, totally wearable. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful!!! Love the color and the texture of the yarn. I really need to make myself a shawl.
ReplyDeleteHoly crapola!!! I didn't even remember you casting on for that bad boy! It's gorgeous to say the least.
ReplyDeleteOK, I know 30 people already said this, but, Wow! That is gorgeous! I love it and I'm not really a shawl person either.
ReplyDeleteIt is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful. Makes me want to knit a shawl. Of course I have discussed this with my partner and we realize that the only person we know who would wear a shawl is my father's wife, but I might make one just to make one.
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous! Well done! :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I have hesitated to knit lace because a) it looks stressful, as in jaw clenching b) I'm not a lace wearing kinda girl and I selfishly knit mostly for myself. But I am going to take a closer look at this pattern. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLove the color AND the pattern! What a great job you did!
ReplyDelete(((hugs)))
It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm totally with you on the J thing. When I found out my LYS owner had an "email relationship" with him, I almost asked if she could get me his autograph. Almost.
I can't wait to see Cobblestone :)
Jared really knits so many inspiring things, it's wonderful just to get to see them all. Now you can be an inspiration too, this turned out so pretty! And only 2 skeins in such a gorgeous color!
ReplyDeleteThe Shetland Triangle is gorgeous! I love it!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous!!! Jared will be proud!!!! =)
ReplyDeletehahahaha! I love it - WWJD indeedy! You know I'm on the knit-whatever-Jared is knitting bandwagon! Lovely lovely Shetland!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThat is really beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHello, just cruising by. Your Shetland Triangle looks divine, and inspires me to want to make my own. Very beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteLooks fabulous! My Shetland is in alpaca, and I never wear it for all the shedding it leaves. Great job. So jealous of your cruset, too.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely!
ReplyDeleteOooooh, that's just gorgeous. I love that blue yarn. Hee hee - I like the new twist on WWJD. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! I love the Shetland Triangle in Silky Wool!
ReplyDeleteExquisite. And inspirational!
ReplyDeleteYou know that we're Jared's biggest fans, right???? You can be president and I'll be secretary.. I'm very good at taking minutes...
ReplyDeleteAnd that shawl is DIVINE!
ReplyDeleteWow you have a TON of comments! Way to go.
ReplyDeleteYou cracked me up with your post on Jared. I think anyone who knits and sees his site is either in love or just not breathing. He really has that 'somethin' somethin'.
I'm starting my first shawl, a shetland triange. We'll see how it goes.