Saturday 30 August 2008

Where is the Love?

As summer never happened I've decided to skip autumn and winter and I'm moving on to Spring. The Spring Shawl specifically.

The Spring Shawl is one of the Shetland lace Heirloom Knitting patterns by Sharon Miller. Sharon is a very talented designer, responsible for many beautiful patterns including the much admired Princess and Wedding Ring shawls.

I bought the pattern well over a year ago and it never seemed to call out to be made. And in all honesty, it still hadn't when I finally did start it. And therein lies the mystery of why some patterns sing to me, and others don't.

The pattern ticks all the boxes for a pattern I should love. It is undoubtedly a beautiful piece of lace. Pictures of finished shawls I've been able to find are all stunning. It is a big project and a challenging piece of lace. Every row is a pattern row -- perfect for keeping my attention. All of these things say that I should have been chomping at the bit to start this project.

But I wasn't.

It's a bit like those weird occasions where you meet someone who is very attractive, funny, clever - but somehow - they don't make your socks roll. Whatever that indescribable something may be -- they are missing it.

Anyway, I started the project because I felt I should and I have to say that nothing in the first phase of the project changed my feelings. I knit on. But without much enthusiasm. I didn't hate it by any stretch -- but neither did it begin to match the knitting obsession of Lyra. I would have been just as happy to knit on any other project.

I finished the centre triangle and began the deep borders. And something has changed.

When I was on the second pattern row of the border I was convinced I had entirely messed it up. In the time honoured tradition of knitters everywhere I threw the needles into the corner and threatened to abandon the project entirely. I huffed and puffed about how it was a lame project anyway and that if I hadn't had to force myself I wouldn't have even started it and .... and.... and...

And maybe it wasn't such a bad little project after all. I mean look at that red. How could I abandon something that red? And really I probably hadn't messed it up that badly? It was looking quite promising. And I'd finished so much of it already.

So I picked it back up and quite quickly realised what my silly mistake was. A little tinking and knitting and I was soon back in flow.

And in love.

Sadly my new love is not very photogenic at this stage. But this blobby red thing currently has my heart.

I'll keep you posted as our relationship develops.

16 comments:

florencemary said...

Good to hear that you've perked up re: the pattern - keep at it, girl! I've certainly felt underwhelmed by some patterns for a while, then suddenly, got completely enthusiastic about them. Life is strange!

I have a booklet of patterns from Heirloom Knitting (although alas, not this one, I think). I must dig it out and mull.

Unknown said...

It looks so great. I love the color. I've yet to make an Heirloom Shawl, so seeing your result will help me try a pattern.

fleegle said...

Looks just like mine, except my border is completely different. Be interesting to see the two of them finished.

Batty said...

The red is absolutely stunning. I'm glad you and the Red Blob are on better terms now! Perhaps this bodes well for my relationship with the Baltic Sea Stole, which is quite a bit easier than any Sharon Miller knit, but somehow... not grabbing me. Maybe if it were red.

the Lady said...

I'm looking forward to seeing the progress!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I shall definitely be popping in for progress reports. I have yet to attempt a real lace challenge, but fear I may have to wait until the wee bairns have grown up a bit, seeing as I would need to concentrate for more than 30 seconds at a stretch! Meanwhile, I'll just sigh whistfully over everyone elses stunning projects:)

Kate said...

Oh, that's *pretty*. I frequently fall out of love with projects but I just frog them. I admire your perseverance. :-)

fleegle said...

I will be dying it--I don't care for knitting with white yarn for the most part. No plans quite yet though :)

Linda said...

Its a beautiful pattern. I hope no more tinking is needed. I can't wait to see it in all its glory.

Anonymous said...

Oh, red lace. Lovely. It'll be stunning when it's done, I'm sure.

(Super-cute baby cardigan in your last post, too.)

carolyn said...

It is a very beautiful colour. I'm glad you've fallen in love with it, it's hard going knitting something like that when your heart's not in it.

Angelika said...

I'm glad you chose this color, because I'm glad you are going to finish it and I can tell already, it's going to be gorgeous. Can't wait to see it finished.

LittleBerry said...

no wonder you've been quiet... you've certainly being doing a lot of knitting... the shawl looks great despite not being photogenic....

I have the Angela shawl from HK so might give it a go once Spring Things is finished!!!

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

I'm in and out of love with my Cora Shawl (Sharon Miller design) all the time!

It will be stunning in red!

Opal said...

I'm so glad all is well between you and Spring Time. It's such a gorgeous shawl and that red is divine!

fleegle said...

You can pick up your ribbon on my blog post today :)