Sweet Sangria Lace
Lace is an excellent companion all year round. During the cold days of winter one can knit warm, woolly, wrap to keep the chill away. In summer, lightweight lace is a nice way to keep the weight of wool from sitting in your lap while you knit, and yet, when worn, it has just enough weight to keep the chill of air conditioning, or cool summer breezes, off bare shoulders. Lace is perfect all weather knitting.
Lace has been an enjoyable diversion this past month, made all the more intriguing because of Kim's beautiful Woolen Rabbit Yarn. The rich depth of color has been entertaining to watch as the colors move, mix, blend, and swirl. Kim calls this color Sangria and it does have the deep red tones, and warm shades of purple, like a good wine. The yarn has a lovely drape and yet, a crisp enough hand for the lace to shine through. It's a perfect lace weight yarn.
With the aid of Evelyn Clark's book Knitting Lace Triangles, a plan was formulated, but that plan was thrown over very shortly after execution began. Intuition became my guide. In the end, the actual shawl became a mix of the Ripple and Medallion laces from the book. The bulk of the shawl was knit in Ripple Lace, with two sections of Medallions, thrice repeated, to keep it interesting. Everything fell into place as I knit, and after the second Medallion section, I knew one more repeat of Ripple, and then the edging, would make perfect finish.
At the last minute I decided each peak of the edging should be embellished with beads, and fortunately, just the right size and color were in my small bead stash. It's amazing what you can accomplish when curtailing all extracurricular activities in lieu of rest and recuperation (avec knitting).
Pattern: My own with the help of Knitting Lace Triangles by Evelyn Clark.
Yarn: Kim's lovely lace weight yarn from The Woolen Rabbit
Needles: Addi Lace size 6 (love them for their tips, but they do make your hands smell of brass)
Time to Knit: 12-18-07 – 1-20-08
I will try for "action shots" in the near future.
Beautiful!!! Just beautiful!
Posted by: Norma | January 31, 2008 at 03:50 AM
I always read your blog and am constantly inspired by the the lovely things you knit!
Posted by: Dawn | January 31, 2008 at 04:17 AM
Beautiful lace, Kim's yarn and beads? What's not to love here? Nicely done.
Posted by: Karen B. | January 31, 2008 at 04:39 AM
It's lovely. I just bought that book and it's really neat.
Posted by: Kathy | January 31, 2008 at 05:01 AM
Very lovely! The mix of both patterns is wonderful!
Posted by: Manise | January 31, 2008 at 05:01 AM
Oh, Margene. It's just gorgeous. And your own design! You should be really proud of this one.
Posted by: Carole | January 31, 2008 at 05:20 AM
oh my, that is spectacular.
what a fabulous combination of stitches and yarn.
I can't wait until I can knit lace once again
Posted by: Teyani | January 31, 2008 at 05:25 AM
Margene...it's amazing! The design is so perfect for the yarn and the beads must give it just that little extra weight for a nice drape.
Well done!!!
Posted by: Kim | January 31, 2008 at 05:25 AM
Oh my gosh, that is absolutely beautiful. Nice design work and execution.
Posted by: CindyCindy | January 31, 2008 at 05:38 AM
Gorgeous!
Posted by: Carol | January 31, 2008 at 05:39 AM
Lovely mix of the two patterns and the yarn looks wonderful.
Posted by: AmyP | January 31, 2008 at 05:45 AM
It is perfectly stunning! I can't wait to see it on you.
Posted by: Teresa C | January 31, 2008 at 05:50 AM
The little beads are the perfect finishing touch. Just lovely!
Posted by: Janeanne | January 31, 2008 at 06:00 AM
lovely! The three little beads are a great touch.
Posted by: Judy | January 31, 2008 at 06:01 AM
Pretty pretty! I love the beads. Did you add the beads after the fact, or was the edging the last thing you knit?
Posted by: Zarah | January 31, 2008 at 06:10 AM
That really is gorgeous! Yum.
Posted by: bellamoden | January 31, 2008 at 06:25 AM
It's gorgeous! You did a great job on the design!
Posted by: Wool Winder | January 31, 2008 at 06:58 AM
Been bitten by the beading bug, eh? Just delish!
Posted by: Marcia Cooke | January 31, 2008 at 07:00 AM
Absolutely stunning! Love the yarn color, and although not so much a 'bead person' myself, those are a really lovely touch. Enjoy!
Posted by: Robby | January 31, 2008 at 07:06 AM
Absolutely beautiful, Margene.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 31, 2008 at 07:08 AM
VERY nice, Margene! I love that book. Perfect!
Posted by: Cara | January 31, 2008 at 07:14 AM
Beautiful!
Posted by: kat | January 31, 2008 at 07:22 AM
you have outdone yourself this time!
Posted by: ann | January 31, 2008 at 07:31 AM
Stunning - everything about it. And then the way you write about it too!!
Posted by: deb | January 31, 2008 at 07:37 AM
This is sooooo beautiful! Love the little accent beads!
Posted by: Diana | January 31, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Love it!
Posted by: Heather Joins The Round | January 31, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Margene, that looks just gorgeous. And you're so right--lace is magical!
Posted by: --Deb | January 31, 2008 at 08:36 AM
It's fantastic - the beads were an inspired touch, and Kim's yarn is an absolute delight to see and touch.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | January 31, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Lovely!
Posted by: Hillary | January 31, 2008 at 08:44 AM
The yarn colours are just subtle enough to let the pattern shine through, a perfect combination. Plus cute little beads.
Anne in Calgary
Posted by: Anne B. | January 31, 2008 at 08:45 AM
It's stunning!! Congrats - and way to go, intuition. :)
Posted by: Chris | January 31, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Looking Great :)
Posted by: Rachel | January 31, 2008 at 08:55 AM
That is absolutely beautiful! The color is amazing! I often drool over Kim's colors, but have not purchased any... yet. That may change soon. You evil fiber pusher! :D
Posted by: Stacey | January 31, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Really, really beautiful Margene! You balanced the lace patterns really well on this and the color of Kim's yarn is sublime!
Posted by: Kirsten | January 31, 2008 at 09:33 AM
That is just gorgeous!
Posted by: Doris | January 31, 2008 at 10:09 AM
That is really beautiful.
Posted by: claudia | January 31, 2008 at 10:24 AM
So pretty, Margene! Congratulations!!
Posted by: Nonnahs | January 31, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Lovely lace! I have been flipping through that book and thinking on a lace project.
Posted by: Sarah | January 31, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Oh.My.Goddess.
Stunning!
Off to buy Evelyn's book - I can't wait any longer...it's been on my list a long time.
You do make the most gorgeous lace!
(((hugs)))
Posted by: knitnana | January 31, 2008 at 12:42 PM
So pretty! I wish I had the knack for lace, so I shall enjoy your work instead.
Posted by: Sil | January 31, 2008 at 12:51 PM
I LOVE it! What a wonderful combination of beads, yarn, and lace. It's inspired.
Posted by: Cheryl | January 31, 2008 at 01:16 PM
This is completely stunning! You made the colors in that yarn play nicely with the lace (which is no mean feat) and you chose two *perfectly* interlocking motifs. I love it. :-)
Posted by: Beth S. | January 31, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Just beautiful.
Posted by: Cookie | January 31, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Wizard awesome!
Posted by: Roxie | January 31, 2008 at 01:42 PM
That is just beautiful! It makes me want to go cast on some lace right now.
Posted by: Kelly | January 31, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Such a beautiful job. Have you considered publishing the pattern?
Posted by: Kim D. | January 31, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Gorgeous! Yes, the addi lace needles do make the fingers smell metallic-y. Can't beat the tips though.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 31, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Wow! How very pretty!
Posted by: tiennie | January 31, 2008 at 04:50 PM
That is a beautiful shawl!
Posted by: Jenny | January 31, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Oh, the beads look like little wild grapes or berries tucked into the corners! How lovely it all is!
Posted by: Cathy-Cate | January 31, 2008 at 06:00 PM