I'm getting the hang of this...finally! Each morning for the last few weeks I have been struggling communing with Oriel and I am into the 5th repeat (of 10). This is as pure as process knitting gets. It is slow going because this fuzzy yarn, Douceur et Soie, while beautiful has a way of disguising the stitches and being sticky and slippery at the same time. The pattern has its own challenges as it is a 28 row repeat and it's not easy for me to memorize. However, I am now at the point where I can glance at the chart and knit across a row without looking again. I am enjoying the process of slowing creating lace and watching this cloud of Seafoam become an object of beauty.
In the 'Make it Fun and Easy on Yourself Department'
Lace is so rewarding and engaging that I've decided to do another shawl which should be more portable, more relaxed knitting. I just couldn't help myself and started it Saturday as a reward for my near epic engagement with Oriel. It's the Leaf Lace Shawl I told you about awhile back. The yarn is that 'oh so blogged about yarn'...Twinkletoes (another chance for you to click the link and buy some) in the color Emily. I bought two different dye lots of this colorway...one bright (which I'm using for this shawl) and one more subdued, that I'll use for socks (later). As Stephanie said, and I paraphrase, lace just doesn't show its true beauty until, like a chrysalis, it becomes a butterfly, unfurling it's wings and taking flight.
Strange things can happen in this blog of Zen. Ann left a comment in the last post saying she was coming over to brown nose even without a contest in sight. Well, last week I watched as my comments ticked towards 2500. I told Smith on Friday that when it hit 2500 I would send that person a gift...a silent contest if you will. It blew me away that she was number 2500 with a comment like that! Something's in the mail to you Ann!!
Happy Valentines Day, everyone!! While we don't really care for H*llmark holidays around here, I did put a card and some Lindt chocolate hearts in Smith's lunch box today. ;-)
Happy Valentine's Day! Oriel is a thing of beauty!
Posted by: Wendy | February 14, 2005 at 04:52 AM
Oriel is beautiful. It's like a cloud. It looks so soft and airy.
Happy Valentine's
Posted by: tacha | February 14, 2005 at 05:07 AM
Your Oriel is beautiful. It looks like a part of the cool winter landscape.
Posted by: Cassie | February 14, 2005 at 05:13 AM
The lace is fantastic! You are going to feel so great wearing that, aren't you? You just had to link to Twinkletoes again, didn't you ---I finally succumbed! :o)
Posted by: Jackie | February 14, 2005 at 05:22 AM
Oriel looks gorgeous! Is the pattern commercially available somewhere?
Posted by: Julie | February 14, 2005 at 05:31 AM
Beautiful,beautiful Oriel ! I love lace knitting !
Posted by: Emma. | February 14, 2005 at 05:37 AM
Oriel is stunning. It'll be worth it!
Posted by: Kerstin | February 14, 2005 at 05:37 AM
The lace is just stunning - you make it look easy :-)
Posted by: Shelby | February 14, 2005 at 05:53 AM
I always loved the color that you picked for your Oriel. Your sister will be so happy that you stuck with it. Having just finished something out of that Douceur et Soie yarn, I feel your pain. But, on a positive note, it doesn't shed at all and it's pretty damn soft.
Posted by: Susan | February 14, 2005 at 06:18 AM
Oh my gosh...your Oriel is absolutely gorgeous. Amazing job! It sounds like you're becoming an Oriel pro.
Posted by: Suzanne | February 14, 2005 at 06:29 AM
Oriel is lovely and that is too funny about Ann. Gracie so enjoyed pulling names for the contest. And I was concerned because the first names she pulled, I was unfamiliar with. Wouldn't you know, the 3rd and final name was the ever entertaining Ann. I am giving her some sorta prize too. Very Zen, you are right. She's a wonderful person. And I feel very blessed to have met her via our blog world.
2500! Wow Margene! Happy day!
Posted by: Kathleen | February 14, 2005 at 06:31 AM
Oh, cute story about Ann!
Posted by: Norma | February 14, 2005 at 06:54 AM
::blush:: I have to say that I love reading nice things about myself!!
I cannot believe that I was your 2500 commenter --- are you sure you didn't tweak the numbers just to make a good blog entry, since you caught me cheating with Kathleen's contest by leaving three comments and sucking up to the kids?
Posted by: ann | February 14, 2005 at 07:01 AM
Beautiful projects, perfect way to lift the winter blahs! Lucky Smith! Happy Valentines, Margene!
Posted by: Mary Beth | February 14, 2005 at 07:12 AM
Beautiful work! I love lace too. While all knitting is somewhat magical, nothing moreso than lacework. I love your paraphrasing!
Happy Valentines day.
Posted by: Risa | February 14, 2005 at 07:23 AM
wow, that lace shawl is so beautiful! after finishing birch i thought i was over lace for a while, but now i feel an itch for some yarnovers ...
Posted by: kris | February 14, 2005 at 07:36 AM
Happy V-day, Margene! Oriel is beyond lovely. You almost make me want to forego my NO LACE ZONE mantra. Almost. Hugs to you and your wonderful 'traveling' partner...
Posted by: caroline | February 14, 2005 at 07:58 AM
Wow the lace is absolutley stunning. The yarn really shows off your work beautfully.
Posted by: Christina | February 14, 2005 at 08:20 AM
Oriel is oh so beautiful! It's going to be a stunner.
Posted by: christina b. | February 14, 2005 at 08:48 AM
Wow, Oriel is absolutely gorgeous! Happy V-day! :)
Posted by: Heather | February 14, 2005 at 09:02 AM
WOW! the lae knitting is awesome and the shawl! you just knocked off that much, just like that?! I am impressed!
Posted by: Christine | February 14, 2005 at 09:20 AM
Oriel is a work of art~ truly beautiful. I'm also going to enjoy watching you work on the Leaf Lace shawl. Fun projects, Margene!
Posted by: Annie | February 14, 2005 at 09:21 AM
That Oriel is gorgeous! As I have been knitting for an entire 3 weeks now, I am in awe of such projects. Have a great Valentine's Day!
Posted by: Kimi | February 14, 2005 at 11:06 AM
Oriel is so lovely. It looks like it could just float.
Posted by: Jessica | February 14, 2005 at 11:12 AM
You know, you didn't really need to post the link to Twinkletoes again--I've already got a skein of Cliff on its way to me (maybe in the mailbox today?), and it's *all your fault.*
Oriel is beautiful, and so is the new one.
Posted by: Judy H. | February 14, 2005 at 12:16 PM