In Blue

The Diamond Fantasy Shawl:

Another view:

And still another:

This was a great project for getting back into lace shawl knitting.  The diamond motif was easy to memorize, and the knit-as-you-go edging made the shawl a breeze to finish.  The i-cord treatment at the top-- a first, for me-- created a clean, solid edge that I very much liked.  Size-wise, I did nine complete repeats instead of the full ten suggested for a shawl, as I only had 650 yards of yarn instead of the required 750.

As for the design: I think the beauty of the shawl lies in its simplicity.  Far from being plain, the diamond motif has a striking elegance that easily stands on its own.  And the simplicity of the design was also the perfect partner to the hand painted yarn I chose for it, Zen String Bellissima. The subtle variegation of the yarn added interest and dimension to the shawl without being intrusive and overpowering.  The effect, in fact, is so delicate that it's hard to see unless it's against a white ground:

I've always been a bit skeptical about using any sort of variegated yarn for lace, but I'm very pleased by the way this match worked out.  All in all, it was a great project.

As if that wasn't enough, I also finished the Vanalinn Gloves:

In the end, perfection gave way to impatience as I was eager to get this done.  And really, when I placed the two gloves on top of each other, they weren't very far off.  I was able to content myself with just reknitting one finger that was too noticeably off to ignore.  But even a perfectionist can accept a little bit of uneveness uniqueness sometimes!

Despite the headaches I suffered with this project, I still think that it was another fun design by Nancy Bush.  After all, these gloves look great with denim:

Are pretty and lacy:

And have lots of attitude!  What's not to like?

Comments

[le chat qui coud]

it's... gorgeous!! fabulous!!!!!!!!!

[Jolanda]

With this (a lovely shawl and gloves) you won't have the blues no more!

[Joanna Kostrzewa]

Two wonderful projects! I think I'll introduce more blues into my wardrobe this Spring, too! *^v^*

[Beth S.]

I love the lace gloves with the denim jacket! That's an inspired combination. ;-)

And of course the shawl is magnificent. The size seems just right even with that one repeat left out.

[handknit168]

the shawl and gloves are very pretty. Blue is one of my favourite colour.

[Lotta]

Gorgeous! Both the shawl, and the gloves. I love the colors, too!

[Carolyn]

Oh !!! I don't know which project I love best. Okay, I'll take them both !!!

[lolly]

i just love all of your blues! the shawl is beautiful, and i love the details of the gloves too. great work!

[Mimi]

That is so nice that you got two pretty FOs! The shawl is so delicate and the gloves are cool. They go well with jeans, like you said.
I ended up buying a pair of gloves this winter, no patience and skills to knit them.

[Smellyann]

Really beautiful work. I love that the shawl doesnt have that glaring line down the middle that so many shawls have, which I hate. And can I just say, I wish I had your butt!

[Alisha]

Really beautiful work! I love the shawl so much. It makes me want to try to knit one! Very lovely.

[Octopus Knits]

The shawl is really lovely, and the gloves do look great with denim - great job!

[Willow Caroline]

As usual, your knitting is lovely. Both projects came out so well!

[Ann]

Agree fully, as usual your FOs are beautiful, always right color for the pattern itself, and fits you too :)

[fleur]

Both are really beautiful, congratulations!

[Maud]

The shawl is oh so beautiful, and the gloves very cooooool! Congratulations on two fabulous FOs!