Maybe I should say garter stitch with a slip, as in Kirsten's Ulmus Shawl. The two by two rows of color keep the knitting from becoming mundane and the slip stitch pattern is easy to read- a good project when one is distracted (in a good way) by grrlfriends. One must always have "chat friendly" knitting at hand. This beauty has been a welcome distraction from the ropey quality of Summer Tweed, too. Ruth's beautiful yarns, Bluefaced Bliss (pink) and Essential Merino (blackberry) are a balm for sore fingers and tired arms.
The color changes in the Bluefaced Bliss play back and forth across the surface in interesting and entertaining ways and add depth to the halo that washes over the blackberry. The hand of this shawl is deliciously drapey, and yet, it has substance because of the dense fabric (and I went up 3 needle sizes!). It's pure bliss to knit and will be pure bliss to wear.
In the stash is more BB in Sunwashed Silver. The minute I saw this colorway I knew it would make a fabulous Andromeda Shawl, which is anticipated to be next on my needles. HOWEVER, Miriam has just published a fabulous new stole, the Nefertiti Wrap and now I'm torn. Must do a stash dive for something suitable. So much lace, so little time!
Oooh, that Nefertiti wrap is so beautiful and wearable. Thanks for mentioning it. And your Ulmus looks really nice and soft.
Posted by: Marijke | May 07, 2009 at 02:07 AM
I agree. The Ulmus shawl is addictive!
Posted by: Issy | May 07, 2009 at 05:06 AM
Quite lovely!
Posted by: Nora | May 07, 2009 at 06:00 AM
Mim's new wrap is GORGEOUS!! No big surprise that you'd be torn.
; )
Posted by: Vicki | May 07, 2009 at 06:05 AM
Oh, the shawl you're making sounds like it'll be great to snuggle under next winter!
Posted by: Chris | May 07, 2009 at 06:13 AM
The Ulmus color combo is just beautiful. I love Nefertiti, too. Nice to have so many choices!
Posted by: Jocelyn | May 07, 2009 at 06:20 AM
I love the colors you are using in the Ulmus shawl! Pretty pretty yarn.
Posted by: Kim | May 07, 2009 at 06:29 AM
You are SUCH a bad influence. Just as I was thinking I could put Ulmus on the back burner, you point me to something new. Must knit, must have, now. How do I get my real life (laundry, groceries, etc.) to manage itself so I can knit more?
Posted by: Robby | May 07, 2009 at 06:30 AM
I must put this on my list of things to knit. Love the colors!
Posted by: Jewel | May 07, 2009 at 06:54 AM
Here's a vote for Andromeda. I am almost finished with mine (Lulabellebird's Sunset Andromeda on Rav) and I have so enjoyed the knitting and Ruth's yarn. Andromeda is intuitive but not boring, something different is going on all the time but the construction is totally logical and it is easy to read the knitting. The piece seems to come out a little small for most people, more of a shawlette than a big wrap for us tall ones, so if/when I make it again I will swatch the next needle size up to see how it works.
Posted by: Linda M | May 07, 2009 at 07:08 AM
Thanks for posting the links :) I LOVE that Ulmus shawl! It is going to be so beautiful.
Posted by: Miriam | May 07, 2009 at 07:19 AM
I'm still heavily in my lace phase. There are just so many beautiful things out there! And, as I actually WEAR my shawls, I never feel even remotely guilty about knitting them over other things. They are quite simply, my favorite things to knit.
Posted by: Kristin | May 07, 2009 at 07:32 AM
I love the Nefertiti wrap, but either of them would be wonderful on you.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | May 07, 2009 at 08:04 AM
You've never written truer words than this: One must always have "chat friendly" knitting at hand.
Posted by: Carole | May 07, 2009 at 08:30 AM
Ooh - I love how the Ulmus is coming together!
Posted by: Ruth | May 07, 2009 at 08:48 AM
Gosh, at first glance I thought the picture of the Sunwashed Silver yarn was taken in black and white. Chat friendly knitting is definitely a must. It's nce to have a knit like Ulmus, that is working for you on so many levels, on the needles.
Nefertiti is speaking to me right now. It is lovely.
Posted by: Hillary | May 07, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Nothing wrong with the lace love.
That shawl is wonderful with Ruth's yarn, Margene.
Posted by: Cookie | May 07, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Indeed! I joined an Aeolian Shawl KAL that started May 1 and haven't even thought about what yarn to use! I think I need to finish some sweaters first.
Posted by: elizabeth | May 07, 2009 at 09:58 AM
You are enabling me again. I just HAD to purchase Mim's Nefertiti. It is beautiful!
I really like your garter stitch projects. That sweater just might have to go into my gueue as well. Oh, for more time!
Posted by: Kristy | May 07, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Ooh, that Sunbleached Silver is gorgeous - I bet the colors are even better in person.
Posted by: Imbrium | May 07, 2009 at 10:24 AM
OMG, Nefertiti. I'd never have seen it if you didn't link - I usually don't go for Mim's stuff because her lace is more angular and geometrical than I like, but Nefertiti! Must have. Damn. Maybe I'll follow your lead and save up for some of Ruth's stuff for it, too.
Posted by: Carrie | May 07, 2009 at 10:30 AM
that is going to be stunning. I love Ruth's yarn, and keep looking for a project to make with some of it.
Posted by: Teyani | May 07, 2009 at 10:33 AM
That is getting so beautiful. And, big.
Posted by: CindyCindy | May 07, 2009 at 10:58 AM
The patterning on the shawl reminds me of ripples on a beach when the tides gone out.
Posted by: AmyP | May 07, 2009 at 02:57 PM
There's just too much gorgeous lace out there.
Posted by: Lucia | May 07, 2009 at 03:16 PM