You start with 3 [sts] and end with 983. And there is a wild ride in between! I am talking about the Aeolian Shawl (free pattern from Knitty) which is my latest FO. I started this at the end of August and finished it over a week ago, but could not bring myself to block it. It has a strange shape (like a Cylon raider) and I thought it would be a complete PITA to pin out.
It was not as bad as I expected because I just eyeballed it and let it do its own thing. Here is my Cylon Raider being blocked:
Aeolian Shawl
If you know this shawl, you’ll see that I changed the center back point: I did not like the plain “tail” so I continued the floral motif all around the border (much harder than it sounds!). And, do you see the beads? The hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of beads (~2500??!!??)? All placed one by one onto the appropriate stitch using the crochet hook method?
The shawl being modelled by Lettie:
Compare to the shriveled, pre-blocked shawl:
Project Notes:
Grade: A
Pattern: the Aeolian Shawl
Size Made: Largest version (there are three sizes given)
Yarn: Baruffa Cashwool (1460 yds/100 gms, 100% extra fine merino, color: Eggplant 26809) — the yarn was a lovely gift, thanks to “RH” (mwah!!)
Beads: Japanese Size 8 (~2500)
Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) Addi Lace
I loved making this shawl. It was well written and very creatively done. The only errors were of my own making (though none made it through to the end product that I am aware of — fingers XXX’d). I would never make this again UNLESS I were to knit a bead-free version! The beads slow you down to a crawl. There are also a lot of nupps, which do not bother me, but do bother some other knitters. I love the complexity of the design and the visual impact. The beads give my shawl some heft, which I think is nice because the yarn is SO lightweight. All in all, I am extremely pleased. Thank you, Knitty!
PS — it snowed again today 🙁
PPS — I was asked why I did not pre-string the beads onto the yarn. Generally, I prefer to pre-string beads because it is faster in the long run, BUT they do not knit into the project the same way (see picture below). Placing the beads as you go was the method chosen by the designer. Also, for a project of this size, the yarn would completely disintegrate if you had to push 2500 beads along cobweb laceweight for 1100 yards. But, as I said, it sure did take a long time to add those beads!!
I rarely comment, but I just want you both to know how much I enjoy your blog. I have learned so much about knitting, news in knitting, am spurred on to finish projects when I am discouraged simply because what you guys are up to is inspiring. Thanks a lot!
The shawl is so intricate and detailed. I may make one, but I think NO BEADS. 2,500! It make me faint to think about it! 🙂 They are amazing to look at on your project though. Congrats on completing it.
Comment by Claudine — October 12, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
Wow that is pretty.
I am in the midst of making this pattern as well. I picked up some lace weight alpaca in silver from Shepherd’s Harvest and am using crystal beads. I just finished the last repeat of the Yucca chart and I’m at a holding pattern until I pick up another tube (or 2) of beads.
I’m also making the large version.
I’m inspired seeing your finished piece. Nice job!
Comment by Liz — October 12, 2009 @ 8:01 pm
I second Claudine’s comment re inspiration and Liz’s comment re: Wow!
Comment by Libby — October 12, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
Coming out of lurkdom to say Wow! about the shawl. Beautiful! Stunning! I am blown away. The pattern is in my queue sans beads. Hope mine is half as gorgeous as yours.
Comment by Sue J. — October 12, 2009 @ 8:17 pm
What a lovely shawl. I don’t know if I would be patient enough to add the beads, but what a beautiful addition. I’m wearing my clapotis today, made with beaded Tilly Thomas yarn — I love the heft & swing the beads add. Hope you enjoy your shawl!
Comment by pam — October 12, 2009 @ 8:28 pm
OMG This looks absolutely GORGEOUS! I am so anxious to see this in person on Thursday that I will be perched on my chair waiting!!
Comment by Kim — October 12, 2009 @ 8:56 pm
Also peeking out of lurkdom to say WOW! Just speechless at the beauty and delicacy – and all those beads. Patience – thy name is Susan. I’d think about framing it…
Comment by Carol — October 12, 2009 @ 8:58 pm
Beautiful! I can’t imagine doing it with all those beads. I did the shoulderette without any beads and that was plenty for me. (On the other hand, it was my 1st lace, so I thought that was ambitious enough. 😉
Comment by Lissa — October 12, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
Goodness, that is lovely! You are amazing, girl. Wonder Woman, methinks. 🙂
Comment by Kay - From the Back Yard — October 12, 2009 @ 9:13 pm
It’s beautiful! It’s making me think I should finish my River Run shawl, which was all done except for the border (and I’d finished a third of that) But the beads had slowed me down and then I got distracted. (How unusual for moi!)
Comment by Surly — October 12, 2009 @ 9:42 pm
Exquisite. I guess it will go on my list of to do’s.
Comment by Sigrun — October 12, 2009 @ 10:39 pm
That is stunning! And in record time, too.
Comment by rudeek — October 12, 2009 @ 10:47 pm
…and I’ll say “wowzers!”
Comment by karen — October 12, 2009 @ 11:40 pm
Un-believable!
Comment by Yarndude — October 13, 2009 @ 3:45 am
WOW!!! A true masterpiece! Definitely Guild Worthy!!!! Go You!
Comment by Michelle — October 13, 2009 @ 6:43 am
The shawl is beautiful. Love the color.
Comment by Snowbird — October 13, 2009 @ 9:29 am
A thing of real beauty! I am awestruck and speechless.
Comment by Liesl — October 13, 2009 @ 10:36 am
Stunning!
Comment by Rebecca — October 13, 2009 @ 10:45 am
That is really stunning! I have this in my queue. I love the effect of the beads and your modification of the tail. Gorgeous!
Comment by Annette — October 13, 2009 @ 10:58 am
I was in St Paul for a wedding this past weekend and couldn’t believe it snowed! I was obviously not prepared, emotionally OR with the clothes I packed 🙂
And that shawl is amazing! The beads add so much. I never include them when a pattern calls for them; I get super frustrated and annoyed. I should really buckle down and do it! It’s so beautiful.
Comment by Allyson — October 13, 2009 @ 10:59 am
Oh my goodness, I am floored. Gorgeous does not even begin to cover it!! I love it!!
Comment by Desiree — October 13, 2009 @ 11:21 am
Drop dead gorgeous! Your skill and accomplishments amaze and inspire me.
Comment by CreeksideKnitter — October 13, 2009 @ 11:28 am
Your’s looks much better, than the original in Knittyspin – wow!
Comment by Ute — October 13, 2009 @ 12:39 pm
Oh, my! It’s just breathtaking, Susan! It makes me wonder . . . what I DO with my time! 🙂
Comment by Kym — October 13, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
Lovely lovely!!! I particularly like the modified tail. What a pretty shawl that pattern makes. 🙂
Comment by Romi — October 13, 2009 @ 5:18 pm
Omigosh, it’s so beautiful!!! And darnit–I had a skein of that exact same yarn in my stash (same color, too!) and finally sold it because I couldn’t think of the right project for it. Now I guess I’ll have to run out and buy another!
Comment by Clumsy Knitter — October 13, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
*Harder* than it sounds? OMG. Gorgeous! Is the crochet method of adding beads better/faster/stronger than pre stringing them?
Comment by Carrie K — October 13, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
That is one sexy shawl. All those curves and twinings. Wonderfully done!
Comment by twinsetellen — October 13, 2009 @ 8:51 pm
What a lovely shawl. I love the change you made to the centre back point.
Comment by Vicky — October 13, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
Gorgeous! The floral tail is a great mod that I’ll definitely have to remember to make if I do this pattern. All those beads are daunting because of how much they slow one down but I think your shawl proves that it’s worth it.
Comment by GinkgoKnits — October 14, 2009 @ 3:54 am
Just gorgeous! Your usual lovely work. I have done a Laminaria and have had the Aeolian in my queue for a while, but I haven’t had the courage to start yet. I love your mod, and now I’m glad that I hadn’t started mine yet, so I can incorporate it.
Comment by Astrid — October 14, 2009 @ 6:13 am
Breathtakingly lovely. Loved the explanation of added vs. prestrung beads.
Comment by Caty — October 14, 2009 @ 8:56 am
Really wonderful !
Comment by Samy — October 14, 2009 @ 2:04 pm
Stunning, simply stunning!! Oh, and the prestrung vs crochet hook bead method was a real lightbulb moment for me. Thanks!
Comment by Jennied — October 14, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
That’s probably the most incredibly beautiful shawl I’ve ever seen. I just wouldn’t have the patience. And I absolutely love your fair isle baby blankets. What a great idea.
Comment by Sylvie — October 15, 2009 @ 5:26 am
I’d like to know if you ever sleep??? The shawl is an absolute masterpiece that deserves to be in a museum! Truly inspiring….
Comment by Ann — October 16, 2009 @ 9:55 am
Just amazing!
Comment by Leah — October 16, 2009 @ 10:23 am
Lovely, lovely shawl. Are you going to keep us in suspense about the tail modification? I’ve never tried a beaded shawl before, this definitely inspires!!!
Comment by June — October 19, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
Love this shawl!
I’m a new knitter and want to make the Emily Dickinson for my first shawl, because it’s so beautiful. Reading about the beads worries me some.
Love the comparison to a cylon raider btw! Man, I love that show.
Comment by fireant — May 22, 2010 @ 2:38 am
Getting ready to jump into the Aeolian–would you hazzard a guess at how many beads it would take to do on the Final Agave Chart only? I don’t think I want beads all over, just on the edge to give it some drape.
Comment by Kathleen Foster — June 13, 2010 @ 10:43 am