FO: Swallowtail Shawl
At the beginning of March, I promised you a finishing frenzy; now, on the last day of March, I present to you my sixth FO of the month: the Swallowtail Shawl. Low light for photos, unfortunately, but I wanted to get this post in today. I am so pleased with this shawl -- I think it's really beautiful. 
Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl (Interweave Knits, fall 2006)
Yarn: Fiddlesticks Knitting Zephyr Laceweight (wool/silk)
Needle: long 3.25mm circular
Finished size: 43.5 inches across, 21 inches deep at point
I was afraid this shawl would be ridiculously tiny (I was ready to christen it "the Swallowtail Small"), but it turns out that I love the size of it. My only regret is using the Zephyr Laceweight with this pattern, since the ball of yarn is 630 yards and this pattern only used two-thirds of the ball, so it's just not the best yarn-pattern match. Other than that, I'm declaring the Swallowtail Shawl a huge success. I love it, love it, love it. I'm also very pleased with the results of blocking with my new set of wires and on my new set of foam puzzle pieces. It's an excellent system.
And I'm feeling like I was going to tell you all kinds of other things about this project, but now I'm totally drawing a blank. Did I mention I love it? Shawls are really great projects, in that they enable a knitter to create something really stunning with a small amount of yarn, like about $10 worth of silk. I see many more shawls in my future. (Any tips on storing them so they retain that nice, flat, just-blocked look?) 
I feel such a sense of relief and satisfaction at having moved six projects out of my WIP list this month! Now I'm just working on Ene's Scarf and my second Vinterblomster mitten. And no, I don't want to talk about school. :)
42 comments:
Six projects? Seriously? That's some going! The shawl is beautiful, by the way.
Gorgeous! I haven't knit that pattern yet, but I am definitely going to. I'll be using fingering on larger needles, though. I need a bigger shawl!
I have blocking wires too, but I haven't ever used them yet. I LOVE your super-straight blocking there, at the top of the shawl!
Simply stunning! I have that pattern in my queue, but I think I'll use a fingering weight wool/silk blend (like Elann's Baby Silk).
Congrats on finishing so many projects, and best of luck with comps! Just think how wonderful it will feel to be done.
Very nice. Lace is quite addictive and infinitely satisfying. Storing? Um, I just have mine folded in a drawer and it seems to stay nicely blocked.
It's gorgeous Alison!
Will we get to see you (and it?) at knitting Wednesday night?
Lovely shawl, and I love the size. I think large shawls can look too much like Jemimah Puddleduck. You have had such a productive (knitting) month!
Six FOs?? Way to go, Alison! And what a way to wind up your finishing frenzy, with such a beautiful shawl.
It's gorgeous!! Hmm, enough left for a small lacy scarf?
I'm also knitting that shawl right now.. sort of stalled at the last two pattern repeats. This is the kick in the butt to get going. 6 WIPs to FOs in one month? Hot damn...
i love it! great job! it's definitely a good way to launch you into a frenzy of shawl knitting :)
Alison, your shawl is so beautiful! I've never made lace but I'm very inspired. And I totally hear you on the schoolwork-sucking-up-knitting-time issue.
congratulations. i've been thinking of you. if you ever need a break from the schooling, let me know.
your shawl is beautiful! i have two skeins of the zephyr laceweight, maybe i'll make this shawl and add a few repeats!
It turned out SO pretty! I just did this same pattern, actually, and am really happy with it too. It's up on my Ravelry page, since it's a secret present for my Grandma.
Absolutely gorgeous!
I would've called it the Smallowtail Shawl if it came out to small. But it does look just right.
It's beautiful! Good job!
Beautiful! But be careful. Swallowtails are addictive...I've just finished my third and am considering casting on for another! :)
Oh, that's gorgeous! I am so impressed with your finishing skills.
that is seriously beautiful. you did an amazing job blocking it!!!
That's so pretty--definitely want to knit one up after seeing yours. I was going to use Zephyr as well--is the pattern easy enough to keep knitting repeats until it's the size you want?
I store my lace knits folded in a cotton pillowcase with a sachet of lavender (moth-proof without smelling like granny's attic).
ahhh it's gorgeous! love it in that colour (and love that colour against your black outfit).
You're a machine!
But seriously, that is one lovely shawl.
Woah! 6 finished objects in March? That is awesome. The shawl looks great too :)
Gorgeous shawl!!! I love the color, and it's blocked so nicely. Where did you get your puzzle foam pieces, btw?
You did a stunning job on finishing so much stuff! I mean, I only got to the mostly finished state on most of my projects. Maybe I can pull off your progress in April.
Wow. Just wow.
(And I love the color of the shawl)
You did a stunning job on finishing so much stuff! I mean, I only got to the mostly finished state on most of my projects. Maybe I can pull off your progress in April.
Wow. Just wow.
(And I love the color of the shawl)
6 in a month? how amazing. the shawl is beautiful... i've been wanting to make on for months. maybe it's time i cast on. :)
Oooh, it's lovely! I can't wait to make one for myself!
Outstanding!!!!The shawl in wonderful--the vest, too!
You have been so productive this month! I hope all those knitting FOs are motivating you with your reading & comps work. The Swallowtail is beautiful - I love the colour and it looks fab on you.
HOLY HECK! You are on a roll!
Your vest.... STUNNING!
And the shawl! Truly lovely.
I am inspired to finish up some of my projects!
beth (big geek)
You really rocked out March to the Finish! Congrats on all your great projects and thanks for inspiring all of us to knock out those long-lingering UFOs.
Looks amazing! I could really use a nice shawl. It's bloody freezing in Korea!
You're really cruising through stuff! Wow! That shawl is absolutely gorgeous. I seem to be very bad at lace thus far, but I'm determined to get the hang of it.
Wow, it's beautiful. I intend to make one pretty much exactly the same. Maybe I'll do one more pattern repeat. Do you think there is enough yarn left over for that?
Also I'm curious about how it looks in the front. You didn't show us a pic of that.
What a great way to end a month of awesome FOs! It's a beautiful shawl. I love the color.
Oh wow. I have to totally knit that pattern now! So pretty!
It's very beautiful. That pattern is on my to do list and keeps getting bumped. I need to commit.
Beautiful, Alison! It's funny, it's such a great colour... but I know that is you had styled it with pastels it would look insipid. It looks perfect with black. :)
Gorgeous!!!!
Wow it looks wonderfull!
Beautiful!
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