Swallowtail Shawl
Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl from Interweave Knits Fall 2006
Yarn: Belisa Cashmere in pink (100% cashmere, 500 yards/ball), less than one ball
Needles: US size 4, 3.5 mm
Finished Dimensions: 57 inches wide, 25.5 inches tall
Comments:
1) I cast on for this project because I needed airplane knitting. Lugging big sweater pieces on airplanes was not my idea of a good time. Plus, my sweaters are on long metal circular needles, the possession of which would have marked me as a terrorist when going through TSA security. If I hadn’t been flying, I probably wouldn't have made this shawl at this time.2) I’m not terribly excited or pleased with the way the shawl turned out:
• I still have 9 grams of the original 50 grams. That means a whole 90 yards of this delicious cashmere is going to waste.
• The gauge is a bit too big for the yarn. But going down a needle size would produce an even littler shawl. Plus, I only have one TSA approved set of knitting needles and they are size 4!
• The shawl is pretty tiny and it’s bigger than the dimensions given in the pattern! Scarf would be a better name for it. Here’s a size comparison between the Shaped Triangle Horse Blanket and the Swallowtail Scarf. The Horse Blanket doesn’t even fit on the bed. The Scarf, on the other hand, is a good size for a Scout Blanket. (In fact, Peter calls this shawl Scout’s Shawl.)3) Is the Swallowtail Scout Blanket destined for the frog pond? Maybe. Probably. I’ll keep my eyes out for a better pattern. I know what I’m looking for now: a rectangular lace scarf that has a very short row repeat and no border so that I can use up every last bit of cashmere goodness. Yes I’m serious about frogging it—I didn’t even trim the ends so that I could pick them out when the time comes.
24 comments:
It's gorgeous! It would look fabulous with a nice chocolate brown suit or any suit jacket really. Just a nice shoulder shawl. It's too pretty to frog!
I really like it too. The color is lovely and draped over your shoulder, it would be so fetching! However, if you decide to frog, what about trying the Arctic Diamonds Stole in the Winter IK? It is rectangular and doesn't have a border, so it should be pretty easy to use up all your yarn. Just a thought!
Too bad this didn't work out for you... all that work, and it's not what you wanted. I don't blame you for contemplating frogging - you know I'd do it :).
It really is nice. Maybe you could wait a few months before frogging it to make absolutely sure that's what you want to do?
It's beautiful! I'm also knitting this with 500 yds of some laceweight cashmere, but on US3's. I'm repeating each lily-of-the valley border and will finish it with whatever edging uses up the rest of the yarn.
-blogless Liz in DC
it doesn't do much for me. I'd rather frog it and make something i love!
yeah, I have to say it's lovely and it's a perfectly functional scarf. But can you live with a scarf instead of a shawl? If you like it as a pretty scarf, keep it as that, but if you don't want a scarf, give it away as a Christmas present, or go froggie go!
Please have Scout model it in a photo. Then we'll know for sure. :)
Seriously, if you're not happy with it, use the cashmere for something else. It would be a shame not to wear it.
Glad you are back!
Well, I think it's lovely. But, it would be a shame to waste the cashmere if you aren't going to wear it.
Me, I'm still stuck in nupp-land on mine. Only 2 charts to go!
Sorry you knit all that and then wanna rip it. YOU got POINTS! I'm jealous :))
It's still beautiful but I'd say get as much out of the yarn as you can. I take it cashmere isn't the ###$ to rip like mohair is? If not, then go for it!
Well, it is a gorgeous scarf, although I'd hate to waste that much cashmere.
Well, it looks lovely! I've wanted to make it but am not sure I'd use it, no matter the size. I may try it anyway though. Hope you can find something to do with the cashmere.
I'd wait a little bit, maybe put it on display (it is GORGEOUS) and then decide to frog.
Lovely work as usual :)
I'm sorry you don't like it, because (as I think everone else said) it's absolutely beautiful!
But I'll wish you good luck (again, like everyone else) in finding something better for the cashmere!
If I sent you replacement yarn, would you send me the swallowtail shawl? And is that the yarn you won in the Amazing Lace?
It is small compared to the other shawl. Love the color. Very Lauraish.
Amy
It's very pretty! It'll be a perfect accessory with a suit jacket. I love the color.
But, but, it's gorgeous!
(no frogging, no frogging)
Don't frog! I love it!
So pretty!
And 90 yds of Cashmere, what you need to do is buy another ball, and then you'll have almost 600 for a larger project!
Very pretty! I hope you don't frog it! I bet the Cashmere is very soft!
It is beautiful Laura, like all of your work!
just pure beauty!
If you're interested in doing a rectangular lace scarf I recommend the scarf from Jaeger Book 35 Spring / Summer 2005
http://www.royalyarns.com/ptrn/JAGR/JG-BK35-SS2005/p05.html
there are also quite a few really nice patterns in some of the Japanese knitting books I have.
But, Rachel's offer sounds like the best so far!
No point in having an unused FO lying around. I'd take Rachel up on her offer. It'd be a shame to waste all that work if there was another alternative.
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