My New Shawl Pin, Let Me Show You It
Posted By jenifleur on November 17, 2009
I know, I know. It’s a little large and a little flashy. I’ll just consider those raised eyebrows a side effect of jealousy about my wonderful wrap.
This is my Aeolian shawl. I entered it in the Skein & Garment competition at SAFF a couple weeks ago. This being my first entry for judging and SAFF being known for its feedback I thought I’d enter a couple shawls, learn what they’re looking for and next year I’d come back and win-the old came/saw/conquered technique. I did some research about what judges typically look for and thought I’d hedge my bets by entering one in a neutral color-my silver Crown Prince Shawl and this one. The Crown Prince suffered a massive setback when I had to rip it down to the border and I decided to cut it to work on other things, so I felt I was taking a risk with this bright color. I really wanted a ribbon of some color but I never thought it would be a blue one; there is some stiff competition at this festival. Even better than the blue? That enormous purple and white Best Of Show-which I saw from the far side of the arena and I nearly plotzed.
The judges loved the pattern (“A fun, classy shawl!”) and thought the beads were perfectly used within it. I chose a slightly matte rainbow finished bead that closely matched the yarn. There were several shawls there with contrasting and/or shiny beads so my choice may have made an impact in case you find yourself contemplating bead knitting for judging. The genius behind the design is Elizabeth Freeman. The genius behind the yarn is Kate of Dragonfly Fibers, who-at least in my part of the world-often shares a booth with Sanguine Gryphon at the fiber festivals. Beads were purchased from Fire Mountain Gems, a company I have been using for donkey’s years and which always makes me happy.
The pattern is flawlessly written and fun to knit. Without beads I probably could have finished it in 4 days instead of several weeks. The yarn is very, very nice to work with and it holds its shape well and stays blocked nicely-not to mention the fact that the price on it is very reasonable and there is generous yardage. I’ll definitely be buying more of Kate’s yarns. One hank made the large sized Aeolian with a few feet to spare.
Now for some more pictures:
Absolutely beautiful! Congrats on your RIBBONS!
That’s beautiful, Jen! Congratulations!
That blue/purple looks well with the shawl. That shawl is beyond amazing!
Well done!
(Heh, that’s all I’d posted initially, but WordPress thought my comment was too short, LOL!)
Beautiful! I love it.
I feel so special that I got to touch it. Your shawl. Congrats again, Jen. You rawk!
Congratulations! It’s a beautiful shawl and that new shawl pin really suits it!
BRAVA!!! Purple, white, blue and red never looked so good together!
Gorgeous!! Congrats on the ribbons.
Gorgeous! Grats on the ribbons.
Oooh maaaaaaaan, I missed all the fun at SAFF this year. Just fabulous Jen. I bow to your lace knitting, color selecting, beading prowess!!
Congratulations!! It’s gorgeous, you deserved to win.
Congratulations!
Congrats!
For this did you string on all of the beads or did you add them on with a crochet hook as you were working the pattern?
Beautiful work!
Congratulations — the judges obviously knew what they were talking about.
What did you enjoy most about the feedback you got?
It is absolutely wonderful! Congrats on the ribbons, that’s awesome!
Oh, I was able to see it *just* after they announced the WINNERS….
truly a marvelous shawl!
The judges were still gushing over it
when I talked to them!
Well DONE!
braVA!
beautiful. I keep seeing examples of this shawl and I keep saying “I want to knit it!” I even bought yarn for it a Kitchenr Knitter’s Fair. I just have to finish a bunch of other stuff first. No, really….
Gorgeous! Congratulations!
Niiice shawl pin!!! Beautiful shawl.
Wow! Congratulations! It really is gorgeous!
Love your new pin – so deserved! BEAUTIFUL SHAWL! This will go into the Christmas Party gift thingy, right? Wink, wink, nudge, nudge…
The shawl is really beautiful! Congratulations!!
A very belated congratulations. Gorgeous! And thank you for showing my dye work off so nicely:)