Some patterns become extremely popular among knitters. The contrary knitter in me (there’s a reason my Ravelry nickname is surly) sometimes skips over those patterns for no other reason than their popularity. “Does the world really need another X Project?” I ask myself. Other times, there’s no denying the appeal of a project no matter how hard I might initially resist. Thus, I come to Evelyn Clark’s Swallowtail Shawl.
This is a very popular shawl pattern; on Ravelry alone, there are 6166 Swallowtail projects as of the writing of this post. It’s easy to see why. It’s beautiful. It’s simple. It’s free. And it’s fast. On a Friday, I bought yarn (more about that later). On a Saturday afternoon, I cast on. By Wednesday, I had a beautiful Swallowtail shawl — and it was even blocked. Who could ask for more?
I love it. And it goes beautifully with my Baby Cables sweater.
As for the yarn, I love it, too. It’s Neighborhood Fiber Company’s Studio Sock yarn in the colorway Cooper Circle. I saw it, and I had to own it.
I tried to knit my Swallowtail in just one skein, but when I got to the bind off row I saw this:
Yep — I only had three grams so I had to dip into the second skein. The remainder of it is going to my sister in the hopes that she can whip up something nice out of it. Otherwise, I’ll have matching socks for my shawl.
Where did I purchase this lovely yarn? At my new favorite yarn shop in the DC area: Fibre Space in Alexandria, Virginia. It’s a wonderful shop. Danielle, the owner, is friendly and helpful. Veronica, her lovely chief enabler, already recognizes my voice on the phone. (Is that a bad thing? Please say no.) They carry wonderful yarns from many smaller suppliers and a few larger ones. They’ll even call you when a yarn you’ve been lusting after arrives in the shop. (Don’t ask how I know this. Please.) They have a great frequent buyer program (gulp), big windows, Italian greyhounds, and — get this — a “Ravelry computer” for shoppers. Yes — it’s true. You can log onto Ravelry from the shop and browse for patterns, check how much yarn something takes, show off a project. It’s a great idea.
I definitely recommend stopping in at Fibre Space if you are in the area. Odds are surprisingly high that I might be there. What?
Ohh I LOVE that colorway! Your shawl is lovely in it. The gold spots in the red are so beautiful!
Comment by Allyson — February 1, 2010 @ 9:16 pm
Swallowtail is just beautiful…and completed in five short days…amazing! I knit my first lace shawl last summer (Fountain Pen) and would love any tips you have for making such beautiful nupps. I used finger weight yarn and did not achieve the beautiful uniformity you did in knitting the nupps!
Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring…I’m always in awe when I read this blog! 🙂
Comment by Maureen — February 1, 2010 @ 10:30 pm
Wow! Mine took me weeks, maybe even months! It’s lovely. Nice piano, too.
Comment by Joanna Ryan — February 1, 2010 @ 11:01 pm
From Susan — I see a destination for my next visit!! The Swallowtail is gorgeous. I felt the same way, but also succumbed to the siren call of the lovely Swallowtail!
Comment by lv2knit — February 1, 2010 @ 11:34 pm
Your shawl is lovely. And thanks for the heads up on Fibre Space. Who knew?!
Comment by Wendy O'C — February 2, 2010 @ 12:23 am
That is a beautiful shawl! I just finished my first one last night, and actually did the cast off twice because the first time was too tight so the points were not pulled out during blocking. I frogged then cast off again using 8mm needles but my points certainly do not look as pointy as yours do. 🙁 What am I doing wrong?
Comment by Jocelyn from Dubai — February 2, 2010 @ 7:57 am
Sally- You even did the nupps- it’s beautiful.
I’m okay with the fact that the LYS knows me, but I have problems when the pharmacist is on a first name basis.
Comment by Lorraine — February 2, 2010 @ 10:04 am
Gorgeous! I’ve been wanting to get around to making that one, though Fountain Pen is next on my list.
The yarn is gorgeous – I have that same colorway in the Penthouse Silk yarn. It’s targeted for a new Miriam Felton pattern that should be coming out in the spring.
Comment by Cheryl S. — February 2, 2010 @ 12:15 pm
You know, it has to be said, no matter how many times I’ve seen a particular pattern knitted up yours (and your sister’s) versions are always incredible. Perhaps it’s in the genes or maybe your mother was an excellent knitting teacher (or most likely it was both), but somehow the perfection of your knitting always comes through — even in photographs on a computer screen.
So, as always, Bravo!
Comment by Liesl — February 2, 2010 @ 12:26 pm
LOL – you are certifiably addicted. But with a shop that nice, who’s to blame?
Lovely shawl. That one is on my list, too, and I often think “no rush, it’s been done so often”. But seeing yours starts to tip the balance towards “get on with it – you know you want it!”.
Comment by twinsetellen — February 2, 2010 @ 1:04 pm
Swallowtail is lovely, Sally. I am having trouble with my lace project, maybe I should come for a lesson.
Comment by Marsha — February 2, 2010 @ 2:10 pm
no. it is not a bad thing. not a bad thing at all.
Comment by dana — February 2, 2010 @ 4:11 pm
There’s certainly a reason there are a bizillion Swallowtails – it is simply gorgeous – especially in red. Well done! I keep waffling over whether to knit one and you toppled me into the “yes I must!” category again.
That’s some yarn shop! Incredible!
Comment by Lostcitydenise — February 2, 2010 @ 6:55 pm
If I owned a yarn shop, I’d want it to look just like that one!
Lovely shawl!
Comment by Kym — February 2, 2010 @ 7:02 pm
Oh wow, that is really pretty. Love the color!
Comment by Nora aka Surly's daughter — February 3, 2010 @ 2:11 am
Wow, your Swallowtail shawl is beautiful! I knit my first one with black Alpaca and then gave it away to a friend. Now I’m inspired to start another with some navy blue silk blend yarn that’s been languishing in my stash for too long!
Comment by RuthieJ — February 3, 2010 @ 9:55 am
Ooohhh! What a beautiful swallowtail.
Must. go. to. that. shop. I’m putting it on my list for next time I’m in DC.
Thanks for sharing.
Comment by soxanne — February 3, 2010 @ 12:01 pm
Totally agreed! Swallowtail shawl is simple,beautiful and easy to knit. I already knitted 3 and going to knit more for my friends.
Comment by vicky — February 3, 2010 @ 12:44 pm
Sally: Your (and Susan’s earlier) Swallowtail Shawls are exquisite. I’m in Susan’s Thursday’s at Four knitting group and got on the Swallowtail bandwagon after Susan knit hers…about a year ago right now. I think she said there was a mistake in the pattern but she couldn’t remember which row. Did YOU find there to be a mistake? I have two of these “birds” going, but am fearful that I won’t know what to do when the “mistake” is encountered……so I’m frozen in place. Any advice? I’ll just maybe plow forward! They are too pretty to not finish them. Thanks for the encouragement. Cathy
Comment by Cathy Rootness — February 3, 2010 @ 10:25 pm
it’s beautiful, but how the heck did you knit it so fast? Did you sleep…eat…bathe. . . ? I’ve seen lots of FO’s using that pattern. I think it’s exquisite and beyond my capabilities. The people who knitted them talk of weeks…months!
You’re amazing!
Oh–I LOVE the color!
Comment by Mary Lee — February 4, 2010 @ 10:16 am
Your shawl is spectacular, and the yarn amazing. Perfect together.
Comment by Katie K — February 4, 2010 @ 7:15 pm
Wow, your shawl is wonderful! I love the warm colors!
Greetings from Germany, Julia
Comment by Julia — February 5, 2010 @ 7:23 am
Totally beautiful shawl. The yarn is so vibrant and takes the pattern up a notch or two.
Comment by Tressa in NC — February 5, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
Lovely lovely shawl in the perfect color. IMHO
I’ve got one on the needles somewhere too but
have decided the yarn wants to be something else
so rip rip rip.
Comment by ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ — February 7, 2010 @ 10:31 am