Intended as a gift for Lee Ann, this project was started over a year ago. Now that it’s in her hands, I can tell you about it.
This is a classic Shetland-style stole. It’s in 3 parts. (Click to enlarge diagram.) The end pieces –-the borders-- are identical; the centre uses contrasting patterns. I used a provisional cast-on, worked the centre (1), and then a border (2). Back to the provisional cast-on, and worked the other border (3). Then a lace edging to surround it all (4).
For inspiration, I hunted through the archived images of knitted lace in the Shetland Museum. Lots of ideas: the stole's centre is my working of this pattern, and its borders were heavily inspired by those on this stole. With pencil and graph paper, and needles and yarn in hand, I worked on the ideas, sampling and reworking, until I had the patterns I thought I wanted.
There was considerable knitting and ripping. With me and knitting, all too frequently there’s a mismatch between what I see in my mind’s eye and what I end up with in my hands. It’s frustrating, and why I shy away from designing.
The centre section has 2 pattern bands. The first is made from 2 tree motifs. A diamond forms between the trees, with a bead in its centre. The second pattern band is a "diamond" made from plain old holes: this is sometimes called a “Mesh Diamond”, and I think I’ve seen it referred to as a “Net Diamond”. Perhaps the openness of the pattern reminded someone of the appearance of a mesh fabric or fishermen’s nets. The two bands alternate for the length of the centre section.
The borders are a collection of waves made from small holes (overs), large holes (double overs), and “mesh”. There’s a large tree motif, a few beads, a wave made from a variation (mine) of the classic “Madeira” pattern, and at the very ends are single “Ferns”.
The edging is a variation on the “Doris Edging”, which is available in many collections.
Sharon Miller’s very good book “Heirloom Knitting: A Shetland Lace Knitter’s Pattern and Workbook” was incredibly helpful in working out the charts. Wonderful resource.
Yarn for the project is Jagger “Zephyr”, 50/50 wool/silk in colour “Cinnabar”. The dye bled in the wash, and there was still some dye in the 5th rinse. (I did that many rinses in hopes that the dye bleed would stop. After that many, I figure that if it’s going to bleed, it’s going to bleed.) Lee Ann won’t want to wear this with a white shirt.
All in all, quite nice, I think.
To Recap
Pattern: Mine, inspired by lace worked by 2 Shetland knitters
Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr in colour “Cinnabar” The stole weighs 138 grams. There are 1260 yards per 115gram skein (10957 yards per kilo). So the stole used 1512 yards, give or take a bit.
Dimensions: 73 inches (length); 27 inches(width). It was a tad larger just after blocking, so it's relaxed a bit.
Note: Lee Ann's pictures are a lot more interesting than mine.
Wow! It is gorgeous! I saw the stole On Lee Ann's blog, but your pictures really show the color and details very clearly.
I am truly in awe of your work.
Posted by: Fredda | October 05, 2007 at 01:00 AM
Oh my, BEAUTIFUL! I love all the details your photos show, great job!
Posted by: Rachel | October 05, 2007 at 02:46 AM
Ted, it's simply brilliant -- I am afraid you ARE a designer, whether you like to admit it or not. Congratulations.
Posted by: Jean | October 05, 2007 at 02:50 AM
Quite nice, talk about an understatement! It's beautiful. Congratulations.
Posted by: Janine | October 05, 2007 at 05:53 AM
That is so stunning, Ted, what a lucky Lee Ann. I have some Zephyr in Cinnabar, but I know that it's not going to look as good as that when I get round to doing something with it.
Posted by: Helen | October 05, 2007 at 05:54 AM
The lady is justifiably speechless. Magnificent planning and stitching.
Posted by: Petunia | October 05, 2007 at 05:58 AM
Ted -
Very, very impressive. Far beyond many of the patterns that I see for sale. My hat's off to you!
Posted by: Kate | October 05, 2007 at 06:25 AM
My compliments - it's beautiful!
Posted by: Nurhanne | October 05, 2007 at 08:13 AM
In addition to being speechless, I'm now awestruck.
I can't wear this while I work. I just sit and stare at it. :-)
Posted by: Lee Ann | October 05, 2007 at 08:32 AM
Oh my. That is superspectacular! It's one of the most beautiful renditions of Shetland lace I have ever seen. Sell the pattern?
Posted by: fleegle | October 05, 2007 at 08:52 AM
Jeez, you're good!
Posted by: Diane in Chico | October 05, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Wow! That's totally gorgeous! A year well spent!
Posted by: daniel | October 05, 2007 at 11:11 AM
'quite nice' may be the understatement of the year when applied to this piece of wearable art.
Posted by: Rachel H | October 05, 2007 at 11:27 AM
That shawl on LeeAnn is one of the most stunning pieces of knitting I think I have ever laid eyes on. Well done!
Posted by: AlisonH | October 05, 2007 at 02:10 PM
Ted, I beg to disagree - LeeAnn's photos are wonderful, but yours add an entirely new dimension to the scope and thought that went into this piece. It's truly lovely.
Posted by: Lynn in Tucson | October 05, 2007 at 02:43 PM
That's really beautiful!
Posted by: Andi | October 05, 2007 at 03:11 PM
This piece goes beyond designing right into the realm of art. Very tricksy...
Posted by: LaurieM | October 05, 2007 at 04:01 PM
Really lovely work, Ted. Thanks for the links to the Shetland museum textiles online.
Posted by: valerie | October 05, 2007 at 09:20 PM
It is Positively Georgeous dear. I would love to see a pattern for that. I would even buy it and pretend I can do that.
Posted by: Natalie | October 05, 2007 at 09:54 PM
Oh WOW! I came across your blog via Knitty as I was looking for a pattern for some socks for my husband and I'm so glad I did. I have rarely seen such beautiful lace work, you're such a talented guy! The pattern really does resonate of something quite old and the colour of the yarn is beautiful. Wow and double wow!
Posted by: Natalie in the UK | October 06, 2007 at 12:10 PM
It's incredibly awesome! I am struggling with Spider Queen now and was just wondering how someone go about designing these things. And here you are, designed and knitted an absolute masterpiece. Fantastic! Lucky gal that Lee Ann.
Posted by: Jason | October 06, 2007 at 01:22 PM
>>There was considerable knitting and ripping. With me and knitting, all too frequently there’s a mismatch between what I see in my mind’s eye and what I end up with in my hands. It’s frustrating, and why I shy away from designing. <<
This happens to every designer. It's so hard to get the mind to tell the hands what to do! It's as frustrating as getting the computer to do what we want it to do, rather than what we told it to do.
It's beautiful, Ted. No one but you could have created it.
wrnk
d2
Posted by: D2wms | October 06, 2007 at 02:05 PM
Wow, that is a beautiful stole. I'm jealous of your work.
Posted by: Jason | October 06, 2007 at 04:14 PM
GORGEOUS!
Posted by: glittrgirl | October 07, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Wow, that is marvelous.
Posted by: Kenny | October 07, 2007 at 04:04 PM