Wednesday, February 9, 2011

It shall be mine

A while back I knit an Aestlight shawl. I really liked the pattern, and happened to have some lovely Malabrigo sock in the stash. At the time, I didn't really know who I was making it for, I was just jazzed about knitting it.

Now, I've always said that I'm a process vs. a product knitter, but that went right out the door when I blocked this shawl. It was so beautiful (well, to me anyway) that I actually gasped when it was all pinned out. I remember calling Phil up to see it, saying "Isn't this thing just the most awesomest shawl ever?!?!?" (I believe he sort of smiled, mumbled something along the lines of "It looks great, honey" before slowly backing away from me.)

Sadly, by this point I knew it wasn't to be mine. My wonderful cousin Jessica's birthday had crept up on me, as it is wont to do every single September (you'd think I'd get a clue by now...), and she's a good person and we all really love her and she's a great knitted gift recipient and... well... much as I wanted this shawl, I did the grownup knitter thing, sucked it up, and gave it to her.

This left me in a state of considerable Aestlight yearning, of course. Yes, I had accepted that that particular version could not be mine, but I still wanted one, damnit. And a few months later, when the yarn I had selected for that month's Hat Trix pattern didn't pan out and I found myself with a skein of fingering weight yarn, all wound up and ready to go, I knew what I had to do.

Pattern: Aestlight Shawl, by Gurdun Johnston
Yarn: The Knittery 4Ply Sock (discontinued, sorry)
Colour: Kelim
Needles: 3.5 mm circulars
Size made: largest size
Modifications: none, I knit the pattern as written.

One of the great things about this pattern is that it works with variegated yarns. Both the garter and edging sections break up the colour sequences without too much pooling. The only thing that bothers me a wee bit about this shawl is the striping you see at the (sideways) lace edging.


I think this one's a keeper :)

Happy Knitting, Everyone!

10 comments:

Jennifer said...

Gorgeous! I think I've been lusting after that pattern.

On a separate note, I've been trying to figure out what looks different in your photos lately. You look amazing, but somehow slightly...prettier than usual. Not sure why- is it 'cus your hair is the longest I've seen you? Well, whatever it is that you're doing, keep it up! :)

Maaike said...

Stunning!

Like the blue, blanc, rouge of the shawl:)

Can't wait to see what's next.

Caroline said...

I love the shawl. You could wear it to a Habs game, the colours remind me of the CH jersey. :)

I love love love your hair long like that!

Chantal Boucher said...

C'est vrai, comme le disent les précédents commentaires, que tu es magnifique sur cette photo. Et le châle, hummm donne le goût d'en tricoter un.... trop beau! Bonne journée!

Celia said...

Very pretty!

Knit and Purl Mama said...

I agree with Caro - the colors kinda remind me also of the CH jersey.

Great shawl! Glad you get to keep it for yourself.

I agree with Jenn also - you look beautiful.

Laurie said...

The shawl is beautiful (and added to my queue, of course). Also love your glamour shot. :-)

Tim Landry said...

LOL - it just hit me that I am 4 years older than my mother was when she was teaching you to knit!

Sinéad said...

Love it! I think the striping at the edges looks great!
Your hair looks fab by the way :D

Dawn said...

It's just as beautiful as the first time around! Even more so, since this one is for you ;)