I began blocking my Echo Flowers shawl last night and when I had pinned it out, I looked down and felt a strange punch to the gut. Had I really made that? As it turns out, yes, I have made this and it feels so bewildering to me. This shawl is so incredibly beautiful and so intricate – and it is all my doing.
Knitters are their own worst critics, I think. We all shrug and laugh when others compliment us. This little thing? Oh, I just followed a pattern… but we need to give ourselves more credit. We do not just follow a pattern. We interpret and decipher patterns written in often quite technical terms. We choose yarns, colours and textures. Yes, sometimes us ‘just following a pattern’ leaves us feeling unhappy with the end product, but I think we need to take more credit than we often allow ourselves.
And so with this shawl, I am so very happy to say yes, I made this.
I started knitting this back in November but it went into hibernation due to Christmas knitting and other, more pressing, knitting projects. I pulled it out about a week ago and finished knitting the edging. It was actually a relatively easy knit – just one motif you keep repeating until you decide to start the edging – but I say that with a couple of Estonian-stitch shawls behind me.
I used Fyberspates Nef Lace and I must admit I did not like it. It felt quite synthetic compared to Malabrigo and Old Maiden Aunt merino/silk, and I really did not like the variegated colours. And so I decided to overdye it using cake paste dye (as you do). The yarn did block out beautifully and the colour is super-intense.
I’m very, very, very happy with the end result. I bet you can tell.
The pattern is free (PDF) and while I was using a cobweb yarn, I have seen some lovely versions using as heavy a yarn as double knitting. If I were to make this again – okay, I absolutely will – I’d try a fingering weight just to add a bit of weight to the fabric. And use a semi-solid or a solid colour.
As of right now, all I have on my needles is a Snapdragon Tam which is one-third done. I feel another shawl coming on..
I can see why you’re proud. it really is beautiful.
Wow, this is beautiful!
You should be proud, it’s stunning. But I know what you mean, I had the same feeling when I blocked my wedding shawl.
There is nothing quite like that magical lace moment, is there? Your shawl looks amazing – thanks for pointing out the pattern, too.
oh my goodness, it’s gorgeous!
that’s one of the loveliest shawls you’ve made – and I say that as someone who has admired all of them!
It is very lovely! Thank you for the link, the pattern has been downloaded for future use. As you are interested in Estonian-stitch lace, you may be aware of the inspiring and very beautiful book, The Haapsalu Shawl by Siiri Reimann and Aime Edasi?
That shawl is amazing. I am stunned by every FO. And admiring. And then I got back to my stockinette in the round :)
This really is really really beautiful!
That is something to be proud of indeed! I have yet to tackle my first laceweight and this pattern is definitely going on the “maybe” list!