What do you know, but Icarus is unpinned. The soaking did it a world of good. I mean, I did get sweaty fingers knitting it.
It's very light and frothy. Just the slightest of breezes seem to lift it
The pattern really comes alive.
See how elegant those feathery bits are?
Here's what the neck bit looks like. Someone recently wrote me, asking my why I did the cast on for Kiri as I did. With Kiri, you do a provisional cast-on, knit a garter strip, the pick up stitches and knit the cast on stitches so that 3 edges of the rectangle are on your needles. Miriam's Icarus doesn't do that. so you don't have a continus garter strip along the top of the shawl.
It's a matter of preference. There's nothing wrong with either technique, but the technique in Icarus balances it with a slightly narrower border. So if you want to do it this way, you should decrease the stitches in the border.
Here's another shot of the shawl with the hydrangea. I did put some bluing agent that I got from the garden center, but it was too late. The flowers went mauve. I guess next year, I'll have to feed it earlier.
Icarus is a fairly simple pattern to work (that doesn't mean that I didn't frequently make mistakes though). Definitely a good one for a newish lace knitter, although I would recommend using a heavier yarn. It's designed by Mariam Felton and can be found in Interweave Summer 2006.
oh, wonderful. I've been stalking the knit blogs for pictures of finished icaruses, and yours is one of the best I've seen. I'm about four rows away from casting off myself ( four long,long rows).
My question is, did you use pins or wires for the top edge? I have blocking wires but I don't like using them. I wonder if I could get a nice straight edge if I just used a whole bunch of pins instead.
Hello,
I love your shawl (and blog) and would like to know what kind of yarn you used to knit Icarus? I have the pattern and would like to start knitting it using a mohair/silk garn very similar to Rowan's Kid Silk Haze. What do you think?
Posted by: Karen in Denmark at August 4, 2006 09:13 AMStumbling in late . . .
Fabulous. I so adore it in pink. What a lovely job you did.
Absolutely gorgeous! I'm just a little way into my first lace project and SO looking forward to the magic of blocking.
Posted by: Ruth at August 2, 2006 05:36 PMThat's so beautiful! I bet you're glad it's done ;)
Posted by: yuvee at August 2, 2006 11:04 AMLovely, lovely, lovely - and I know I can easily buy KSH! How many balls did you use, and what size circulars? I have seen kiri/river and other lace things but haven't felt experienced enough to try, but I think I will try to break the mental barrier with this. (you CAN do it, repeat CAN!!!) There's still a bit of time before Christmas........ I would really appreciate the details. Carole x
Posted by: carole at August 2, 2006 10:37 AMIt's beautiful -- I really love the color. And man, do I love blocking; it really does wonders for lace!
Posted by: Kristi at August 1, 2006 06:35 PMPolly, this is just gorgeous. I bought the summer IK on the spot when I saw Icarus, although as a beginning knitter, I am far from ready to tackle it. Your version is absolutely stunning. I would love to see a picture of it being worn!
Posted by: Carla at August 1, 2006 04:39 PMLovely work, as always! It looks like it could float away on a light breeze.
Posted by: Beth S. at August 1, 2006 03:36 PMIcarus is lovely. It looks like it could just drift off in the breeze. Every time I see a shawl here it makes me want to run for my laceweight and small needles!
Posted by: Theresa at August 1, 2006 06:46 AMI love your shawl. I work at a knitting store in Plano, TX and often bring in suggestions of projects shown in people's blogs. I will be giving out your blog address so all can see. Congratulations on such a fine example of lace knitting. And keep on knitting.....
Posted by: Pam Johnson at August 1, 2006 01:10 AMBeautiful!! Just absolutely lovely!!
Posted by: Kim at July 31, 2006 09:36 PMThat is fabulous! I didn't really think much of the pattern, but now that I have seen your's, I may knit this one now.
Posted by: Miss Tonia at July 31, 2006 06:12 PMIt's beautiful! Such a lovely lavender!
Posted by: peggy at July 31, 2006 05:44 PMLovely shawl!
As for the hydrangeas, I've read that it can take a YEAR for the coloring to work--whether it is in the form of aluminum sulfate, or other materials such as pine needles, peat, coffee grounds. After much actidifying of the soil last year, some of mine blued right up this year, and the others have moved to mauve from pink. I still have total blue envy when I walk around the neighborhood, though :)
kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen at July 31, 2006 04:50 PMAbsolutely Beautiful!!!
Posted by: Marsha at July 31, 2006 04:19 PMIt's beautiful Polly. I'm new to lace knitting, but have fallen in love with it. I've just ordered Kidsilk Haze for Kiri and have been eyeing Icarus. I've heard it's a rather boring knit -- until you get to the edging of course, but after seeing your Icarus, I'm a believer -- I must have one!
Posted by: Allyson at July 31, 2006 03:02 PMIt's absolutely gorgeous Polly. Lucky recipient!
Posted by: Mary at July 31, 2006 02:02 PMWOW. That's beautiful.
Posted by: jessie at July 31, 2006 10:56 AMSo, having managed to get me addicted to sock knitting (yes, I do have another pair on the needles), you are going to get me addicted to lace knitting. I am not sure whether to thank you or not ;) A.x
Posted by: Amelia at July 31, 2006 08:28 AMThat is absolutely stunning! My favourite part about lace knitting is the unpinning. :) It's magic, no doubt about it.
Excellent knitting, as usual.
Posted by: Lavender at July 31, 2006 06:40 AMThat is really beautiful! *sighs in envy*
Posted by: Emily at July 31, 2006 03:44 AMBeautiful shawl! It looks very soft and delicate.
Posted by: eyeleen at July 31, 2006 03:31 AMBeautiful work Polly! I'm sure the hot weather helped get that lace dry in no time. I think the colour of your hydrangeas is lovely. They are one of my favourite plants.
Posted by: meg at July 31, 2006 12:46 AMGosh Polly, you are such an excellent lace knitter, another beautiful shawl, the colour is wonderful. I am sure your recipient will be over the moon.
Posted by: Rebecca at July 30, 2006 10:57 PMGorgeous! You out do yourself on a monthly basis! Thank you for sharing all your project photos.
Posted by: danita at July 30, 2006 10:18 PMWhat beautiful work you do! The shawl is amazing, and came out completely lovely. Well done!
Posted by: Charity at July 30, 2006 08:43 PMBeautiful! Icarus is so pretty in pink. I'm so anxious to start now that I see how lovely she is in that yarn.
Nice work and your photos are lovely, too!
That is beautiful lace.
Posted by: mrspao at July 30, 2006 08:14 PMIcarus is very nice. well done. Do you have a close-up on the neck edge that you used for Kiri?
Posted by: Suzy at July 30, 2006 07:34 PMIcarus looks so light and fluffy. Very beautiful!
Posted by: AmyP at July 30, 2006 06:21 PMoh polly, it's beautiful! look at that! and now you have to give it away ... sigh. lucky recipient!
Posted by: at July 30, 2006 06:14 PMMiss Polly your lace knitting continues to AMAZE me... and the knitting in the heat... that leaves me speechless :)
Posted by: stinkerbell at July 30, 2006 05:17 PMWhat a lovely shawl, Polly! It's inspired me to do one and I've always shied away from lace knitting as I have a teeny-tiny concentration span, but I'll grit my teeth and get on with it - and I have some laceweight cashmere just begging to be used.
Thanks again for the inspiration,
Kathleen
It's absolutely lovely. Soft as a sigh. Blocking does make a world of difference, doesn't it? Although I'm working on a lace shawl in a slightly heavier yarn and I almost like the lumpy texture...
Posted by: Kathie at July 30, 2006 04:32 PM