Sparkle Tangerine

If you asked me, I wouldn't recommend lace knitting in the face of grief or distraction, but this time, it worked for me.  The last few weeks I found I couldn't write or concentrate, so I spent a lot of time in front of the tv (watching Star Trek TNG, geek that I am) working on my diamond fantasy shawl.

I planned on making the scarf size, using one ball of Seasilk.  When I was done the required repeats, I had enough left over, so I strung a life line and kept going.  After half a repeat (which is another diamond) I decided to bind off.  The bindoff (which is lovely) takes up a lot of yarn, but in the end, I had enough to do the whole repeat.  I wasn't in the mood to rip back, so I have a little ball of seasilk left--that's how it goes.

The shawl is beautiful.  But is shy around the camera.  The oranges and greens shine and the beads are subtle but add a little extra something.  My boss (who knits) noticed them right away.

Here's a shot of it on the bed--my attempt to show off the lace:

A close up:

Now for the glamour shots--Emma wants a shawl big time, but she isn't getting this one.

 

Comments

[Jacquie]

Beautiful!!

And my condolences on your father's passing. Even though I haven't been able to contact you directly, you've been in my thoughts and I hope all is going as well as possible. Hopefully I'll see you soon so I can tell you in person!

[Carol]

Condolences on your loss. The shawl, though, is beautiful.

[Knittripps]

It is beautiful! I am glad you found some comfort in knitting it the past few weeks. So your daugher wants a shawl of her own? Do you have any plans to start one?

[JoVE]

Excellent. My only attempt at knitting lace under stress was during F's surgery. I had to rip back a big chunk.

Do the instructions for the DFS now include beads? I'm pretty sure mine don't but I can see how they would jazz it up even more.

[Cathy]

Glad to see you back, yes knitting is good for the brain and the heart. Sometimes for calming, sometimes for distraction. And seeing pretty Emma in your beautiful shawl is good for all of us!

[katie]

The shawl is beautiful! I hope it helped ...

[claudia]

Beautiful! But then, I *would* think so.

[Kim]

Well Emma can knit! Set the girl up with some yarn!

[Michelle]

Yowzaaa!!! That's so beautiful. And the shawl ain't bad either.

[marjorie]

That shawl isn't camera shy at all--it is just beautiful.

[Octopus Knits]

Your shawl is lovely! I really think knitting is helpful in times of stress and sadness.

[M-H]

I think there should be a word for the things we knit in these situations. They act as kind of aides-de-memoir for ever. Knits-de-memoir? Your shawl (and you daughter!) are lovely.

[carol]

Isn't the internet a funny place. I googled 'diamond fantasy shawl' and 'sea silk' to see if there was any information on how many repeats I could get out of one skein, and there was your post. Very informative/helpful. So, 7 repeats it will be.

On another note, I am very sorry for your loss. I hope you find some comfort in your family - or at least in your knitting.

[Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)]

I don't know...she's so adorable, and that shawl is so perfectly sized for her, I think I'd give in! They look made for each other.

[Allegra]

I am glad you were able to concentrate on something that is so beautiful. It's absolutely gorgeous! Emma is a doll too!

[Julia]

Oh, it's beautiful! I love the diamond pattern and the color is so summery.

[Martha Mihaly]

Okay, you put me to shame. I am still on sock one, row 23....

[Cara]

DFS is one of my favorite patterns ever. LOVE IT! It looks great!

[~Jo~]

Emma totally deserves a shawl, look at how well she showed off this one! ;)

[Rachel H]

Nice to see you back. Even if your title means I'll have the theme song from the damn cartoon in my head until I manage to fall asleep.

Emma really looks lovely in that shawl.

[deeni]

Emma looks so pretty wearing that shawl. I can see that one getting borrowed.

Beauty Steph!

[Romi]

Lovely! Emma is such a cutie!!! :)

[Wanda]

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father. I wanted to leave you a note on the post that mentioned his passing, but comments were closed and I wasn't sure if you were open to receiving emails, so I didn't. I'm so sorry for your loss.

If knitting gave you a bit of a reprieve from grief, esp. lace knitting, so be it. DFS is beautiful, esp. out of the lovely Sea Silk. Thanks for pointing out that half a repeat is a diamond, as I am currently working on one now that is to be a bit bigger than scarf size, as the yarn I'm using (Hello Yarn fingering) has 500 yds, so I'm trying to use up as much as possible. Half a repeat is when you do the bo and to create points at row 45 and 46 right? I planned on adding one repeat, but was hesitant to add an additional repeat for fear of running out of yarn. I did think that the edging may eat up a lot of yarn, so I think half a repeat will be just perfect.

Take care of yourself. {{{HUGS}}}

[Katherine]

After I lost my Mother two years ago, I (a constant knitter) could not knit for weeks. It seemed my mind just did not work that way! I'm glad to hear that you are knitting, and lace--WOW! It is lovely, and Emma is beautiful in it. I think she needs one!

BTW, Stargate SG-1 is my mindless knitting companion.

[Robin]

I love that pattern!! Very pretty! Emma looks so cute with it. Yep, she needs a shawl!