03.11.06
Finished Object: Reversible Rib Shawl
Pattern: Lily Chin’s Reversible Rib Shawl from Vogue Knitting: American Collection
Yarn: Knit One Crochet Too’s Douceur et Soie in Deep Garnet — 65 percent baby mohair, 33 percent silk, 2 percent cat hair (my own addition)
Needles: Lantern Moon straights
Finished dimensions: 70″ x 20″ — just under 18 pattern repeats
Notes: Well, I finished it. The easy, arduous, beautiful, hateful Reversible Rib Shawl. One of my favorite things I’ve knit but one of my least favorite things to knit. I’ve spent many months whining about this project and now that it’s finished, if asked if it was worth it, I would answer unequivocally: yes. It is stunning. It is warm. It is elegant. It is now very well-photographed. (Speaking of which, Matt thinks some of these pictures make it look like we live in a vacant lot. We don’t.)
One year and one day ago (hey, wow!), when I was very new to the knit blog world — before Lickety Knit was even born — I stumbled upon Laura’s finished RRS and experienced my very first blog-based knitting inspiration. It was visceral. I needed to have one of my very own. I thought it was gorgeous. I thought it was the height of elegance. I recall thinking that it looked like an angel’s beach towel, which is kind of weird. Point is, rarely before or since have I been so struck by something on someone else’s blog. I am hopeful that my RRS will inspire others as well. My candid assessment for anyone considering this pattern: While it wasn’t great to make, it was great to have made, know what I mean? (It’s like how I don’t like going to the gym, but I like having gone to the gym.) It’s also easy, so don’t let that stop you.
(Please excuse my expression in the photo to the left. Matt says it looks like an advertisement for “ME, a new fragrance by me.”)
Anyway, I bought the yarn in June when Amylovie mentioned her plan to make this pattern and I talked her into a mini-knitalong (along with her secret pal Suzanne, who finished approximately one bazillion years earlier than I did). I decided to make it for my mother’s January 30 birthday. We cast on in September. I eagerly knit about 8 rows. Based on my progress, I calculated that I would indeed finish right around my mother’s birthday — in 2087.
Okay, so it was slow going. And I had to put it aside for a couple months to finish my Christmas knitting. But I really picked up steam in January, devoting nearly all my time to this one project. During one of my thoughtless blog rants about the deep psychological pain I was suffering from knitting this shawl, my mother mandated a new finish date: March 20. I scoffed. I was sure I’d finish waaaaaay before that. But then the Knitting Olympics came along and, well, let’s just say this shawl should arrive in my mother’s mailbox on March 15. Come on, that’s tons of time to spare!
Mom, I hope you like your shawl and get lots of use out of it. I expect that my demands to see you wearing it during my visits and hear you go on and on about how much you just love it will eventually die down about six years from now. It’ll make a great cape for your Supermom costume, and if you send a picture (as promised) of it being worn in that manner, I will post it so everyone will know that you are, indeed, Supermom. I love you! Happy, err…Ides of March?
Theresa said,
March 11, 2006 at 7:38 pm
Stunning – and you couldn’t have picked a better day to take photos. It’s really, really lovely. And soft (which I know from seeing it in person, not on the screen). Congratulations on your perserverence.
So, where’s the startitis? Is it going to be all socks all the time or what?
Mintyfresh said,
March 11, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Hot damn! That thing is beautiful–and huge! I didn’t expect it to be so large, I must admit. Your mom is really going to love it.
Pumpkinmama said,
March 11, 2006 at 8:00 pm
It is so beautiful! You should be very proud, glad it was worth the agony to get to the ecstasy.
Matt said,
March 11, 2006 at 8:50 pm
Next time, try to finish your knitting when there are leaves on the trees. Seriously, people—despite what it looks like, we do not live in a slum. It’s a really cute neighborhood, honest.
Leah said,
March 11, 2006 at 10:03 pm
Gorgeous! And indeed inspiring. I might be tempted to knit with KSH for this end result.
Areli said,
March 11, 2006 at 11:42 pm
This shawl is so gorgeous! I’m glad you waited to get some shots of it in the sunlight, the light filtered through the lace is stunning! And you look lovely modeling it. Your mom is getting an exquisite gift!
Chris said,
March 12, 2006 at 12:05 am
Wow – what a stunning shawl! I particularly like the last picture: The Joy of Finishing. :)
lara900 said,
March 12, 2006 at 1:13 am
Lovely shawl, and wonderful pictures! Congratulations!
Mary Ann said,
March 12, 2006 at 6:37 am
Your mom is a lucky lady. The shawl is beautiful. And of course your mom will really appreciate the effort you put into making it.
christine said,
March 12, 2006 at 9:05 am
Oh my! That is one gorgeous stole!
Wonderland Knitter said,
March 12, 2006 at 10:10 am
Absolutely stunning! And I bet the photos don’t do it justice either!
turtlegirl76 said,
March 12, 2006 at 10:18 am
Gorgeous! And the yarn makes it look almost ethereal. You’re mother will absolutely love it!
Laura said,
March 12, 2006 at 11:27 am
Now I will never be able to look at my RRS without thinking “hey! an angel’s beach towel!”
Beautiful. Now sit back and enjoy everyone drooling over your shawl, asking where you got the pattern, asking FOR the pattern, trying to walk away with the shawl, and giving the shawl dirty looks when the dirty-look-giver is wearing a lesser, store-bought shawl.
Congratus on finishing!
Aija said,
March 12, 2006 at 12:04 pm
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing, I’m planning on making this one (eventually) and your photos (and photography) are inspiring :)
Rain said,
March 12, 2006 at 5:45 pm
It’s stunning. I’m sure your Mom will love it.
Annie said,
March 12, 2006 at 6:44 pm
That shawl is really lovely. Nice work!
Shelagh said,
March 12, 2006 at 11:09 pm
Such compelling photographs foster covetousness. Phenomenal. I’m inspired, and afraid.
Sweet hood, Matt and Rachel!
Karen said,
March 13, 2006 at 5:42 am
bEAUTIFUL
Carry said,
March 13, 2006 at 9:40 am
Wow, it looks even more beautiful being worn! It looks so soft and cuddly, your mom is not only going to love it, she’s going to look quite the “fancy pants” in it! ;)
Congrats on finishing!!!
Suzanne said,
March 13, 2006 at 9:50 am
You did it! Gorgeous shawl. Your mom will love it.
Mothhair said,
March 13, 2006 at 9:54 am
Carry, how on earth did you know that “fancy pants” is the look I’ve been going for all my life? And now, finally, with my RRS, The Look will be mine, effortlessly. Well, effortlessly on MY part, but certainly not on Rachel’s. You’re amazing, Rachel, as a daughter and a knitter and many other things. I can’t wait to model this item. I hope we have a cold, damp summer (if we do, it won’t be the first time here in lovely New England) so I can wear it all the time. As for the pictures accompanying this posting: they’re too fabulous. The only thing missing (mothers are NEVER completely satisfied) is a shot of the poodle twins modeling the RRS. They wait patiently, but they are always left out of the fun. Anyhow, lucky, lucky me! I’ll take pictures!
Rachel said,
March 13, 2006 at 4:16 pm
Aw, thanks Mom, I’m glad you’re excited about it. I can’t quite share your enthusiasm about a cold damp summer, but it’s nice to know there’s a bright side if we are stuck with such a thing.
If you really want me to drape your beautiful shawl over the filthy, hideous, bird-poop-encrusted cast-iron poodles, I will….
Jaime said,
March 13, 2006 at 5:20 pm
Your reversible rib shawl is just beautiful! Your Mom is lucky. :-)
Isabelle said,
March 13, 2006 at 7:59 pm
WOW!!! Beautiful, Gorgeous, Splendide, Magnifique,… Shawl!!! Your Mom is going to love it I bet!
Isabelle :)
http://tricotine.blogspot.com
Carolyn said,
March 14, 2006 at 8:13 am
That is one beautiful shawl! It is on my To Do list – got the yarn, got the needles, now just need to get on and knit it!
Amy said,
March 14, 2006 at 10:33 am
Holy Moley!! Why…why…WHY am I such a slacker???? Y’all totally smoked me. Once I get some of this shop knitting behind me, I’m going for it hard core.
It is absolutely beautiful. You are a daughter beyond compare.
Amy
Emily said,
March 15, 2006 at 7:02 pm
Completely breathtaking. I never ever could work up the courage to start that. Great job! Really, really great.
rach said,
March 23, 2006 at 8:06 am
it looks amazing! i love how deep the red is too, it looks really really good. well done. i have put it on my (very very long) to-knit list :)
Rita said,
March 25, 2006 at 5:01 am
Hi, I liked the look of this shawl when I first saw a picture on the web somewhere – but now I’m stunned, this is so beautiful and the last photo is wonderful. I never realised the size either, so thanks for sharing.
New York Minknit » When Nerds Collide said,
March 27, 2006 at 12:15 am
[...] ve made this bee-autiful Lily Chin wrap with those yarns. See example 1, example 2 or example 3. I amdefinitely lured by this, but I know ripping any mistakes will suck, and all thre [...]
gray la gran said,
April 2, 2006 at 1:32 pm
i am NOT a lily chin fan, but i’m a big girl and can separate the knitting from the knitter, and i must say, WOW! it’s beautiful!
Lickety Knit » A Fragmented Holiday Wrap-Up said,
January 7, 2007 at 7:16 pm
[...] //www.flickr.com/photos/36579782@N00/335043482/” title=”Photo Sharing”>My mom wore her Reversible Rib Shawl all day Christmas Day — it was great to see it in action! The thing about giving kni [...]