Saturday, September 01, 2007

WWJD*?

Shetland Triangle in Silky Wool
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.
Shetland Triangle in Silky Wool
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.
Shetland Triangle in Silky Wool
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.
Shetland Triangle in Silky Wool
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.

Shetland Triangle in Silky Wool
Shetland Triangle in Silky Wool
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.*
Shetland Triangle in Silky Wool
*What Would Jared Do?

52 comments:

Yarnhog said...

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).

Olga said...

Veddy 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.

Anonymous said...

Hey 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.

Your 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.

peaknits said...

This is a great first time shot at a shawl - beautful! I love this colorway!

Tammy said...

Love 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!

Anonymous said...

i 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..

Sonya said...

What 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.

YawnOver said...

Beautiful Shetland Triangle! I am also a Jared-phile - how could anyone resist?

Anonymous said...

I 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? ;)

Senora Fuerte said...

Wow, based on your hair, you don't look anything like how I imagined you. Cant' explain.

Good 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?!

Anonymous said...

I have to get me some silky tweed! You shawl is breathtaking, great job

Gingersnaps with Tea... said...

Pretty. 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?

Anonymous said...

Heh, what would Jared do indeed! :) Your shawl is beautiful. You [and J] should be very proud.

sophanne said...

That looks great and very tempting- on my list.

Meghann said...

It'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!

Angela said...

Gorgeous! 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!

Strikkelise said...

It's just beautiful. Tweedy yarn is *the* choice for lace. And the colour is lovely, too.

Laura said...

Ooh it's lovely! well done you :)

a friend to knit with said...

i too have been eyeing this for about a year.......yours turned out beautifully! I LOVE this color.......and your photoshoot.....gorgeous!

Kirsten said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!!!
. . . and now you've got me thinking of tweed shawls!

Pheelya said...

Beautiful Shawl!!

James said...

Why, that sure is an attractive shawl. With skills like that, I bet you would be worth at least 4 goats in the dowry system!

~Kristie said...

Oh 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.

Your 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?

iSeL said...

I loved knitting that shawl (twice!). It always turns out beautifully, and the pattern is so easy to remember.
Very pretty!

...Sarah said...

Further proof that Le Creuset is the best cookware going. What a beautiful pattern.

Anonymous said...

Gosh, this is amazingly awesome - so fragile and elegant, and I adore the color. Very beautiful!

Karen said...

That 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

pamela wynne said...

I love the tweedy lace I've seen lately, and yours is perfect -- cozy, sophisticated, totally wearable. Lovely!

Anonymous said...

It is beautiful!!! Love the color and the texture of the yarn. I really need to make myself a shawl.

Anonymous said...

Holy crapola!!! I didn't even remember you casting on for that bad boy! It's gorgeous to say the least.

Spincerely said...

OK, I know 30 people already said this, but, Wow! That is gorgeous! I love it and I'm not really a shawl person either.

Lisa said...

It is so beautiful!

Andy Baker said...

That 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.

Romi said...

It's gorgeous! Well done! :)

Knitting Bandit said...

Gorgeous! 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!

Nana Sadie said...

Love the color AND the pattern! What a great job you did!
(((hugs)))

Risa said...

It's beautiful!
And 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 :)

Anonymous said...

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!

Robin said...

The Shetland Triangle is gorgeous! I love it!

Woman who knits said...

Absolutely gorgeous!!! Jared will be proud!!!! =)

Anonymous said...

hahahaha! I love it - WWJD indeedy! You know I'm on the knit-whatever-Jared is knitting bandwagon! Lovely lovely Shetland!

Heather said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!

Julie Spriddle said...

That is really beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

xamonster said...

Hello, just cruising by. Your Shetland Triangle looks divine, and inspires me to want to make my own. Very beautiful work!

Anonymous said...

Looks 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.

Dove Knits said...

How lovely!

Elizabeth said...

Oooooh, that's just gorgeous. I love that blue yarn. Hee hee - I like the new twist on WWJD. :)

Octopus Knits said...

It's beautiful! I love the Shetland Triangle in Silky Wool!

Anonymous said...

Exquisite. And inspirational!

WonderMike said...

You 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...

WonderMike said...

And that shawl is DIVINE!

Debra said...

Wow you have a TON of comments! Way to go.

You 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.