ZeKoigu Contentment
Lace knitting was one of the things that helped me through the winter (of my discontent as Cindy calls it). The only thing I wanted to knit was lace, and while there were days I could not knit, a shawl was always the main event. The lace addiction has continued and Zetor is the fourth shawl of the year. (I've grown fond of wearing lace and feel a little nekid without it.)
The colors below are listed in the order I knit them. I started with P713 and knit about 26 rows, then knit in alternating rows with P200 and P713 for several more rows and then knit with only P200 alone. The whole shawl was knit in that fashion. If I had kept to the 26 row pattern and not over done the first three sections there would have been no need for ball number 6, but that very dark edge (only 4 rows) did make a nice finish (and the yarn was in the stash). There are no complaints as the colors worked out beautifully. Koigu is a perfect yarn for lace, whether you knit with one color or many, as the yarn is soft, stretchy, blocks well and has the best color ranges ever.
The Koigu stash was collected over the last 4 years in both internet shops and LYSs from my travels. It's been fun to pick up a few favorite colors and see how they work with what's at home. I will continue with this behavior as often as I can....Koigu is for collecting.
Zetor was a very easy shawl to knit as the repeat was only a few rows, but with the yarn coloways, it was pure entertainment to watch the colorful stitches dance across the needles. Zetor has been even more fun to wear as it stops even non-knitters who must take a look at the yarn. Finishing this shawl in time for spring weather, and being able to wear and enjoy it, has been a big boost for my mood. It is a joyous, colorful shawl that I'll enjoy for many years.
Pattern: Zetor Scarf (made into the size of a shawl)
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM 6 skeins, one each P713, P200, P206, P445, P401, P609.
Time to Knit: March 16, 2008 – April 8, 2008
Comments: The plan was to knit Zetor in the style of Charlotte's Web with a few rows of one color, then a section of two colors blended in 2x2 rows and then another section of one color. Because of the density of the pattern more yarn was needed and every bit of each skein was used (except the first and last colorways). It is very large at apx 80" across the top and 45" at the center. So much for a small, summer shawl.
That is so beautiful. One of these days I will brave lace. I can do lace socks...it's just those bigger charts that scare the heck outta me! I bet it feels so awesome with all that koigu. Yum.
Posted by: Stephanie | April 15, 2008 at 01:58 AM
The color shifts in Zetor work beautifully, Margene. I bet you get a lot of wear from it. Now you get to do another shawl for your little summer one.
Laura/Fiber Dreams told me it's possible to go to Purl's shipping warehouse in Southern California by appointment. Since I've been looking at the Koigu on their website for ages trying to decide which colorway would make the nicest little sweater and since I'll be in Southern Californis this summer, I hope to both meet Laura and 'shop' the warehouse. Imagine all the coloways from their site stacked up in front of you to choose from. Maybe before then I'll break out the semi-solid grey I've been hoarding and knit the beret I plan for it.
Posted by: KarenJoSeattle | April 15, 2008 at 02:44 AM
Stunning. Just stunning. What beautiful, beautiful knitting!
Posted by: Ann | April 15, 2008 at 05:09 AM
I think I would have chosen exactly those colors. That shawl is truly a magnum opus, in several senses.
(Beautiful wristers, too.)
Posted by: Lucia | April 15, 2008 at 05:10 AM
It's wonderful, Margene! The color changes are perfect and your choice of blending them the way you did works great. I like it so much better than Charlotte's Web!
Posted by: Carole | April 15, 2008 at 05:11 AM
Gorgeous!
Posted by: Teresa C | April 15, 2008 at 05:16 AM
That is a beautifully subtle shawl. Love those colors.
Posted by: Sarah R | April 15, 2008 at 05:23 AM
The colors look like one colorway knitted through a very large skein of yarn, they are so perfectly matched. It is beautiful on you!
Posted by: Laurie | April 15, 2008 at 05:32 AM
Oh, it turned out even more beautiful than the progress shots. Margene, this is absolutely one of the most stunning uses of color I have seen in a long time. You rock, grrl.
Posted by: CindyCindy | April 15, 2008 at 05:35 AM
Very nicely done!
Posted by: Chris | April 15, 2008 at 05:44 AM
Normally I am so not a pastel person,but I really really love this shawl and how you made the colors come to life.
Posted by: Kim | April 15, 2008 at 05:53 AM
Oh, it's just SO BEAUTIFUL, Mahhhhgeeene. I love the way you melded the colors together by overlapping them into each other. (I think that's redundant...)
XOXO
Posted by: norma | April 15, 2008 at 05:53 AM
It's beautiful Margene. The colours are just perfect!
Posted by: Heather | April 15, 2008 at 06:03 AM
Very Beautiful!
Posted by: Michelle | April 15, 2008 at 06:05 AM
Just too gorgeous for words..watching it grow was fascinating but the finished object is overwhelming..the colors are just so beautifully blended..great job!
Posted by: Dianne | April 15, 2008 at 06:05 AM
wow; a show stopper!
Posted by: marie in florida | April 15, 2008 at 06:21 AM
So beautiful!
Posted by: PumpkinMama | April 15, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Absolutely stunning - you outdid yourself!
Posted by: Chris | April 15, 2008 at 06:38 AM
It came out wonderfully! I actually like the darker border very much - I'm glad you wound up having to finish it off with that. It sort of closes the piece off nicely.
Posted by: Anne | April 15, 2008 at 06:42 AM
Beautiful, Margene! My husband even commented over my shoulder, I think he likes the colors, as do I. Currently, I am knitting Zetor using Knitpicks Gloss Lace in Port. It is a beautiful pattern and I'm excited about finishing this shawl. Yours is lovely.
Posted by: Chery | April 15, 2008 at 06:45 AM
That's a stunner! Really one of the most beautiful things I've seen in a long time. Love the way you blended the colors (I learn a lot from your blog!). I'll bet there will be some cool summer evenings where even a shawl that size will feel nice. Enjoy!
Posted by: Robby | April 15, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Love it...might have to dig in my stash for some yarns that match-kinda and give it a whirl mixing and matching.
Posted by: Sarah HB | April 15, 2008 at 06:53 AM
Wow. Just Wow. Zetor came out to be more like a Spring Jacket than a light shawl but how awesome! It's good when we can let something become what it wants to be.
Posted by: Laura | April 15, 2008 at 07:13 AM
Love the picture of it against the snow. The blending of colors is so smooth. Gorgeous! Wear it proudly.
Posted by: Wool Winder | April 15, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Nancy | April 15, 2008 at 07:39 AM
It's gorgeous! I have a ?? -- on the rows that you alternate colors, do you carry one up the side? I'm thinking that you are not cutting with each color change.
Posted by: Kathy | April 15, 2008 at 07:50 AM
It's breathtaking! I can hardly get over how well the color transitions worked. It looks just like a dawn or twilight sky. Truly a lovely piece! :-)
Posted by: Beth S. | April 15, 2008 at 07:53 AM
As I pour over my seed catalogues, I see your shawl! It's asters, cornflowers, phlox, impatiens, coneflowers, dianthus, lupines, and so many more. A veritable garden! Great job!
Posted by: Marcia Cooke | April 15, 2008 at 08:06 AM
It's really that large? It didn't seem quite that big when I saw it. I love the way the colors flow into each other.
Posted by: susan | April 15, 2008 at 08:09 AM
It turned out beautifully, Margene! The colors and the progression are perfect!!
Posted by: Vicki | April 15, 2008 at 08:10 AM
It's stunning, and just perfect for you!
Posted by: Cheryl S. | April 15, 2008 at 08:20 AM
It is so gorgeous! Wear it in good health!
Posted by: Sarah | April 15, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Brightened my day just looking at it - can't imagine what wearing it would do! Gorgeous!
Posted by: Cara | April 15, 2008 at 08:27 AM
just simply beautiful!! i love it!
Posted by: margaux | April 15, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Wow! it's even prettier than I knew it would be!
Posted by: elizabeth | April 15, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Lovely! You're motivating me to return to Flower Basket with renewed zeal!
Posted by: Nora | April 15, 2008 at 08:48 AM
Fantastic, amazing, sooooo beautiful!!!
Posted by: Rachel | April 15, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Its absolutely beautiful. I always love looking at your lace projects they are all so wonderful.
Posted by: Keatyn | April 15, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Lovely! I hope you're wearing it tonight!
Posted by: Heather Joins The Round | April 15, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
Posted by: Stacey | April 15, 2008 at 10:06 AM
It's a wonderful shawl no matter what season. :D Perfect for the mountains in the summer? must.not.add.to.queue.
Posted by: Stacey | April 15, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Wonderful adaptation of the pattern and the colour progression really lifts an otherwise simple lace pattern.
Posted by: AmyP | April 15, 2008 at 10:15 AM
that is very, very beautiful!
Posted by: Ursula | April 15, 2008 at 10:22 AM
hmmmmmmm, i'm tempted. i've got some yarn that i was going to do laminaria in, but you tempt me with this!
Posted by: minnie | April 15, 2008 at 11:23 AM
That is so beautiful. You chose the colors perfectly. The shifts are so subtle.
Posted by: Hillary | April 15, 2008 at 01:04 PM
That's beautiful Margene!!
Posted by: tiennie | April 15, 2008 at 01:23 PM
That is simply stunning! I love everything about it, from the pattern to the gorgeous Koigu colors.
Posted by: Doris | April 15, 2008 at 01:31 PM
it's beautiful!!
Posted by: kathleen | April 15, 2008 at 01:50 PM
I think we all knew going in that it wasn't going to be a small summer shawl. ;^)
It's just beautiful and perfect for you.
Posted by: Cookie | April 15, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Another lemming -- simply gorgeous, with gorgeous color melding. Chevron scarf taken to the nth degree!
Posted by: Jan | April 15, 2008 at 02:03 PM