Well, it took nearly a year with massive resting time, but once I got my second wind and focused, it got done.
I pretty much followed the pattern as written except
- I worked 25 tiers of entrelac.
- I did the moss stitch border as a normal sane person would, without pulling extra long strand through loops for the joining.
I think that the dark colours really suit this pattern, It also makes a more versatile garment, since I can see it as a perfect and dramatic summer wrap for going out in... you know because the air-con is too high or there's a slight chill in the night.
Birch, Fern or Lily of the Valley... which did I like best? well I think that the fern is the prettiest. See how gorgeous it it? It' was probably the most complex to memorise.
I hated working the LOTV but I perservered because it's dramatic and looks lovely as well.
The birch pattern was the easier to remember and quickest to work, but I found myself making the most mistakes with it (possibly because I was lulled into a false sense of security). Nice ? yes. but not the same impact.
The finished stole measures 32 inches wide and 72 inches long. Blocking it was a real challenge. I ran out of pins at 6pm and the bottom edges were not pinned as straight and tight as I would had liked so there's a scalloping there.
I used 180g of Jaegerspun Zephyr, a delightfully soft and wonderful yarn. It makes an incredibly light garment.
Surprisingly, there were quite a few ends to weave in and with the blocking, it was indeed transformed.
so, now onwards to the next things on the February list.
Posted by atu at February 10, 2008 03:00 PM | TrackBackIt's stunning.
Posted by: Laura at March 20, 2008 05:49 PMAbsolutely beautiful.
I think after hearing others talk about that border, that I may be doing it the easier way too. As long as it looks good, who cares?
Congrats on the finish!
:)
Wow, that's simply stunning!
Posted by: Lazuli at February 21, 2008 02:49 PMYay! It's beautiful. Great job.
Posted by: Tracey at February 20, 2008 12:52 AMWow, I am late to the love party, but HAD to join in. That is amazing. And has added itself to my "to do" list. So very beautiful. And I love the color.
Posted by: Francesca at February 19, 2008 01:39 PMI have been looking for a perfect lace stole. My husband has decided that this is it. Not sure I can do this, but goodness...it is beautiful.
Posted by: Dianne at February 18, 2008 04:56 PMMost of the Forest Paths I've seen have been in a lighter yarn, so it's nice to see it in dark blue. And it looks beautiful, Polly. So do you have an occasion coming up that you could wear it to?
Posted by: MJ at February 18, 2008 12:49 AMThis is just stunning! Thanks for the detail photos, it's very inspiring. I have a few skills to master before I can engage in a project like this, but it's my goal!
Posted by: Suzanne at February 17, 2008 07:17 PMOh m G*d! It looks amazing, I know you worked so hard on it! You're an inspiration to just keep slogging on a couple of projects I have going. Congratulations again! :)
Posted by: Bronwyn at February 17, 2008 01:26 PMI want to see it for real please! I am in awe of that, it's just stunning! I hope you get to wear it lots as it really deserves as many outings as possible.
Posted by: Amelia at February 16, 2008 10:23 AMIt is so beautiful Polly, I am completely in awe of all the detail in the pattern, it will be such a lovely thing to wear and enjoy.
Posted by: Rebecca at February 15, 2008 04:21 PMWow! Your stole is beautiful. Now I have to dig out my pattern and give it a go. You'll receive many compliments and admiring glances when you wear it!
Posted by: elizabeth at February 15, 2008 02:01 PMIt is absolutely fabulous - such a beautiful shawl.
Posted by: Anita at February 15, 2008 12:29 PMIt is absolutely fabulous - such a beautiful shawl.
Posted by: Anita at February 15, 2008 12:28 PMIt's lovely - wonderful job!
Posted by: Octopus Knits at February 15, 2008 01:52 AMWow Polly the stole is stunning. Thanks for showing the pictures. I hope it gives you lots of pleasure when you wear it.
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah at February 14, 2008 02:08 PMWow - that is an incredible achievement!
Posted by: mrspao at February 14, 2008 06:38 AMIt is so, so lovely. I love the color you chose as well, it adds to the soft beauty of the shawl.
Posted by: laughingmuse at February 13, 2008 03:21 PMBeautiful Polly - enjoy wearing it.
Posted by: Carol at February 13, 2008 03:10 PMWell done!! That's an amazing achievement. The stole is gorgeous.
Posted by: Carol at February 13, 2008 01:21 PMWow - wow - WOW! I am in awe. I think I might even be inspired to try my hand at lace after seeing your gorgeous FO. Congratulations on such a gorgeous project and for picking it up after letting it rest. That's so hard to do sometimes.
Posted by: Jennifer at February 13, 2008 11:49 AMLilly of the Valley is my favorite, even though it is a pain to knit. Congratulations on finishing, it's absolutely gorgeous. Mine is still "resting" though I hope to finish it this spring.
Posted by: Kelle at February 13, 2008 04:45 AMTruly lovely and inspiring. So glad you finished, and I agree that dark is best for this kind of stole. Very glamorous.
Posted by: Beth at February 13, 2008 02:29 AMAbsolutely stunning.
Posted by: Warrior Knitter at February 13, 2008 12:03 AMAmazing! It's beautiful! I'm sure you are super happy that it's finally done and it turned out so well!
Posted by: peggy at February 12, 2008 11:17 PMbeautiful wrap!
came across your blog via your rowan denim tips page. thanks so much! i just "discovered" denim yarn and the rowan denim book, and am really wanting to make things out of the book.
Posted by: kjungs at February 12, 2008 11:13 PMMy goodness, that really is a beautiful stole! It must be so satisfying for you to see it finished and looking so wonderful! :D
Posted by: Ria at February 12, 2008 03:55 PMFabulous!
Posted by: Louise at February 12, 2008 03:43 PMWhat a beautiful shawl Polly. You have put so much work into it, very well done and such a lovely colour too. Really fab. xx
Posted by: Jan B at February 12, 2008 02:15 PMThis is so beautiful. I attempt lace also, but nothing like this. W O W!!!! Entrelac is my monster under the bed, I am afraid of it. So I am so impressed that you did lace and enterlac. You are the greatest!!
Posted by: Sue at February 12, 2008 01:59 PMJust gorgeous Polly - what a commitment but so well worth it :0)
Posted by: Heather at February 12, 2008 11:19 AMThat's a lovely FPS - really nice colour. I just finished mine as well -- and by the end it did feel like a test of endurance.
Posted by: soo at February 12, 2008 08:54 AMThis is the first finished forest path that I have seen and it's gorgeous! I'd wear it somewhere every day....
Ang
Posted by: angelarae at February 12, 2008 02:47 AMCongratulations, Polly, it is stunningly beautiful. I just love it but wouldn't dare to cast on for it, I'm just not in your league.
Happy New Year.
Posted by: Louise at February 11, 2008 09:51 PMIt's beautiful Polly. A real achievement.
Posted by: Mandella at February 11, 2008 09:40 PMGorgous, gorgeous, gorgeous.
Posted by: yvette at February 11, 2008 07:01 PMWhat a lovely stole! Excellent work.
Posted by: Carla at February 11, 2008 06:10 PMWow. Where can I find the pattern?
Posted by: Peggy at February 11, 2008 04:59 PMOh, it's finished!!! Congratulations! The albatross is off your neck now. ;-)
It's a *gorgeous* shawl. The dark color is really stunning--well worth the extra effort, I'd say.
Posted by: Beth S. at February 11, 2008 04:23 PMoh my, that is so beautiful! well done; you must be so proud!
Posted by: kris at February 11, 2008 03:00 PMBeautiful!
Posted by: Kat at February 11, 2008 02:30 PMWow!!! That thing is huge! And beautiful! Congratulations!
Posted by: yuvee at February 11, 2008 02:10 PMWow!!! That thing is huge! And beautiful! Congratulations!
Posted by: yuvee at February 11, 2008 02:10 PMI am SO impressed! Beautiful work!
You must wear it regularly this summer. Wouldn't do to ignore it, eh?
Posted by: Barbara-Kay at February 11, 2008 01:37 PMWow! What a beautiful accomplishment!
Posted by: Wendy at February 11, 2008 12:30 PMAbsolutely gorgeous! I never made it past tier 6 :-(
Posted by: Janine at February 11, 2008 08:02 AMIt's truly lovely Polly! Congratulations!
Posted by: Debi at February 11, 2008 07:57 AMIt is soooo beautiful Polly!!! Congratulations with the finish, I think you deserve a big round of applause not only for persevering, but also for making something that lovely!
Posted by: Karen S at February 11, 2008 07:46 AMCongrats! What a labor of love! It looks fantastic!
Posted by: 4 ply Katie at February 11, 2008 06:01 AMAbsolutely gorgeous! You did an amazing job and I admire your perseverance.
Posted by: Sarah at February 11, 2008 05:56 AMWow, how beautiful! I've never seen lace worked as entrelac, very interesting effect!
Posted by: Maud at February 11, 2008 04:50 AMHi Polly,
You did a real great job!! I am stuck on this project cos the needles I choose was too large.
what size did you use with your Jaggerspun Zephyr??
Very beautiful. I've been trying to figure out if I would ever actually finish suck a large project. Congrats on having the determination!
Posted by: KERaven at February 11, 2008 01:30 AMWOW!!!! Fabulous Polly!
Posted by: Jacinta at February 10, 2008 11:42 PMCongratulations! I knew you could do it!
Posted by: suzanne at February 10, 2008 11:42 PMWow - it's breath taking & I think it's worth all the effort & time. I don't think I can knit one in a year. Fantastic work!
Posted by: Ann at February 10, 2008 11:33 PMPolly,
Your stole is stunning! I was always impressed every time you posted a photo. I know you will love wearing it whenever one of those cool evenings is predicted this summer. Beautiful work!
Nancy
That is one of my favorite patterns and yours is absolutely gorgeous!!
Posted by: susan at February 10, 2008 11:26 PMBRAVISSIMA!
Posted by: Meg at February 10, 2008 09:59 PMIt is absolutely beautiful! I just might have to make one for myself too.
Posted by: Kristel at February 10, 2008 09:43 PMYour shawl is stunning, absolutely stunning - congratulations on sticking to it and making such a beautiful piece.
Posted by: Rose Red at February 10, 2008 09:16 PMIt's so beautiful! You must feel very proud. I hope you get lots of compliments when you wear it out.
Posted by: Dotty at February 10, 2008 08:59 PMWow! Absolutely stunning! Words are not enough to say how utterly beautiful this shawl is.
Posted by: Sallie at February 10, 2008 08:52 PMWell done, that's simply beautiful x K
Posted by: Kathleen at February 10, 2008 08:49 PMI've been waiting for this post and pictures. It is so, so beautiful! I've just dug out the pattern and am thinking of making this for my Granny - she keeps telling me she won't be here for another birthday and then proving me wrong (she's about to be 95). You are an inspiration and I hope your Forest Path Stole looks lovely on you.
Posted by: Kirstie at February 10, 2008 08:39 PMA beautiful and fabulous accomplishment!
Posted by: margene at February 10, 2008 07:56 PMIt's fantastic Polly, finally done! It's such a big project, you've done really well to finish it off so quickly once you picked it up. A great achievement!
Yay!
It is beautiful. I like the first picture. It would make a beautiful pillow. :)
I want to see you modeling it!
Posted by: Lynn at February 10, 2008 07:32 PMI'm always impressed with the willpower required to finish enormous and complex projects like the FPS. It's totally worth it, though. It's a gorgeous shawl!
Posted by: Kate at February 10, 2008 07:28 PMBeautiful, simply beautiful god going Polly.
Posted by: Line at February 10, 2008 07:02 PMWell done finishing it! Well worth all that work, it looks absolutely beautiful.
Posted by: Mary at February 10, 2008 06:45 PMWhat a beauty! Congrats on finishing.
Posted by: Bettina at February 10, 2008 06:41 PMYou did it! You did it! It is gorgeous!
I like the LOTV most ... very pretty and I made the most mistakes with the Birch pattern too! Isn't that mysterious?
Once again, congratulations on finishing this beautiful project!
Polly, I'm so moved by six feet of some of the most beautiful knitting I've ever seen that all I can do is cry!
Posted by: Bobbi at February 10, 2008 05:38 PMAbsolutely fantastic!!! I have the materials and the yarn but I'm chicken to start it! Way to go!
Posted by: Carol at February 10, 2008 05:18 PMWow, a lovely knit for the new year. FPS is gorgeous. Truly worth the effort. Way to go!
Posted by: Wanda at February 10, 2008 04:53 PMAbsolutely gorgeous... It will be lovely to wear & I'm sure you'll find plenty of opportunities for wearing it!
Posted by: JavaNut at February 10, 2008 04:07 PMWow, congratulations on finishing it! The perseverance paid off, it looks gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. I have some black Jaggerspun, you're really tempting me now...
Also, happy new year!
Congrats! It took sooo long to knit... but is sooo beautiful. I fear entrelac, so I'm all the more impressed ;-)
Posted by: Sophie at February 10, 2008 03:51 PMPolly that is just beautiful. Well done! Now I want one too!
Posted by: Helen at February 10, 2008 03:49 PMYippee!!!! It is beautiful and you must now be so happy to be on to the next thing---besides having a lovely wrap.
Happy new year too!
Posted by: Dairnka at February 10, 2008 03:17 PM