It’s going up to a refreshing 98 degrees in the nation’s capital today with high humidity. Yes, a perfect day to force my lovely daughter to model the just-finished Cap Shawl from Victorian Lace Today. As you may recall, I knit it out of Kidsilk Haze in Blush. The pattern called for eight skeins; I used just under seven. I think that is in part due to my having used a smaller needle than called for. The pattern suggests a U.S. 7, but I used a U.S. 6. (The border took almost two skeins.)
Here it is just off the needles before it was blocked. It measured about 54″ in diameter. The finished size was supposed to be 74″ — I knew then that I would not be getting that large a shawl, but that’s in part because I changed needle size.
Here it is blocked and pinned. (The white dot you see on the shawl is a daisy pin that I forgot to pick up.) I was able to stretch it out to about 68″ in diameter, so it’s taller than I am, which is what I wanted.
Finally, here it is free of its pins. These are not great photographs, but it was a bit miserable this morning to be outside draped in mohair and silk.
Brownie points if you spy Mighty Mite wandering around in some of the pictures.
(Shakes head in awe) I don’t know how you guys do it. You’ve got some knitting skilz. And your daughter is totally working your latest creation – despite the heat and humidity.
Comment by Karen B. — June 8, 2007 @ 11:34 am
Beautiful job! Mighty Mite seems very interested in the garden beds’ edges! Love the third and fourth from the bottom pics! Kool Aid time!
Comment by Nancy — June 8, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Bravo! Gorgeous! Love the colour and what a great model?! So, will you wear this the same way you do a huge square shawl?
I see the little cutie! Doesn’t he like being in pictures?
Comment by Marina — June 8, 2007 @ 11:38 am
That is just SO gorgeous. (faints with awe and wonder)
Comment by AuntieAnn — June 8, 2007 @ 11:45 am
Love how your model got into the spirit of things. It’s a really beautiful shawl.
Comment by Gale — June 8, 2007 @ 11:53 am
From Susan — Nora looks like she’s aspiring to be America’s Next Top Model!! It looks great and Batman looks like a baby squirrel in the pics. I love the shawl and may need to suggest this one to Bena for her wedding shawl — in the palest pink, of course!
Comment by lv2knit — June 8, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
Wowza! Gorgeous shawl! Gorgeous model! I see Mighty Mite! Too cute. 🙂
Susan: you had to rip back Peacock?! Oooooooooh nooooooooooooooooo!
Comment by Romi — June 8, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Beautiful. It looks so light and yet cuddly.
Comment by LaurieM — June 8, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
Sally- Gorgeous- just gorgeous!
I’m including your daughter in that statement- what did you have to pay her to model for you?
Comment by Lorraine — June 8, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
LOVELY! And great move on the smaller size. I remember this pattern from the book, and i think their large FO was draped over a gigantic hedge — and there was STILL plenty or run over! I think this size is very flattering, much more elegant than the larger version.
Comment by Laura — June 8, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
Very pretty! nice nice!
Comment by Laritza — June 8, 2007 @ 1:39 pm
Spectacular! the knitting is perfect, of course, but it looks as though the blocking was equally challenging. I love how your daughter got into the act. This is not your typical teenager enlisted for Mom’s blog, by a long shot. Her modeling the shawl and your garden could fit right in the stylish pages of Jane Sowerby’s book.
Wow. This bears repeating: a spectacular shawl.
Comment by Laura — June 8, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
Wow! both the shawl and the daughter are stunning! You do good work!
Comment by Mary Lou — June 8, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
She is stunning… the shawl and your girl!
Comment by Michelle — June 8, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
The shawl is beautiful. Now I want to make one of those too. Your daughter seems to have one of those Mr Wilson sort of things going on where you don’t see all of the face at any one time. Very mysterious. Love the little kitty.
What’s next on the needles?
Comment by Michele with 1 L — June 8, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
Wonderful! This is much prettier than in VLT!
Question – did you have to pester her to give the shawl back? She was having fun despite the heat! love it!
Comment by Denise~ — June 8, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
Beautiful shawl!
Comment by Wanda — June 8, 2007 @ 3:59 pm
Ooooooh! Also your daughter. I just finished the swallowtail shawl from the fall 2006 Interweave Knits. I added 5 extra repeats of the budding lace pattern to make it a reasonable size, and it came out really well. After 40 plus years of sweaters, you have me totally hooked on lace.
Comment by Astrid — June 8, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
Gorgeous job!
Comment by Octopus Knits — June 8, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
Just beautiful – the shawl compliments your model wonderfully! And I am totally loving your garden – how’s about a
(virtual) tour sometime?
Comment by Deirdre — June 8, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
Wow – What a beautiful shawl. Many many hours!
Comment by Nancy Nelson — June 9, 2007 @ 8:10 am
Awesome shawl!! Just yesterday I finally broke down and bought a copy of VLT. I had waited several months for the library’s copy to be returned, but lost patience with the wayward borrower. I can’t wait to cast on one of those gorgeous projects. So many to chose from… I find it a bit difficult to believe that the Cap Shawl is listed as “intermediate lace.” Fantastic!
Comment by Denise — June 9, 2007 @ 9:58 am
Stunning – the shawl, the model, and if Mighty Mite is and animal (coming out of lurk mode), stunning as well! I’m running for my copy of Victorian Lace right now to see why I passed the Cap Shawl up. Must have been some reason I didn’t see it’s glorious-ness on their pages (although I can’t imagine why since I love the photography almost as much as the content). Thanks you for you wonderful pictures!
Comment by Deb — June 10, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
so very impressive and a beautiful daughter to model it~
Comment by katomliz — June 11, 2007 @ 8:30 am
Your daughter is priceless. As is the shawl. Wow.
Comment by kmkat — June 15, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
Beautiful shawl. It almost looks like mine 😉 I have had a few struggles with the border too (not as many as you). That border just goes on forver!!!!
Comment by Lene — August 19, 2007 @ 6:20 am
This is so unusual and very very beautiful. Amazing.
Comment by Sylvie — October 15, 2009 @ 5:29 am