Monday, August 17, 2009

verdant Vermont shawl

The shawl is finished, and when I wear it, I feel as though I have wrapped the green Vermont hills around my shoulders. The colors are intensely vegetal. The lace patterns are leaf-inspired. And every stitch was lovingly made on this trip to Vermont.


I designed it as a half-pi shawl (i.e. the increases are made in concentric rings rather than in rays) with three sections of leafy lace stitch patterns and a garter stitch border. The final lace pattern, "ivy leaf," gives it a gently scalloped edge. I'm in love with it.



I knew I wanted to knit such a shawl as soon as Mountain Man gave me this yarn. The entire process -- inspiration, sketching, swatching, calculating, knitting -- took just two weeks. I really kicked into high gear for this one because I did so want to finish it on this trip!!


I'm very proud of how this pattern turned out, and I'll definitely be writing it up. Any ideas for pattern names? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

30 comments:

Vito Indigo said...

ey! great pics!
youre doin a good job with this blog!

tien said...

you named it already: Hills of Vermont.
I can't wait for the pattern!

beth02116 said...

That is gorgeous! the color, the elements, the shape! Great job!!

lexa said...

Love it!! I so love that color. Something definitely with Vermont in the title.

Anonymous said...

Your shawl is beautiful, the combination of your design and the yarn color is stunning.

Turtle said...

i like the name green mtn shawl. Simple but what inspired it! (i also liked fiddleheads but no curlies) It came out beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Spectacular. Love that yarn!

Suggestions:
Viridity (as in GREEN!)
Envy (as in i WANT that!)

Jacqui
NZ

Flora B said...

What beautiful color and texture! Your leaf motif suggests "Vermont Maple" for a title...

I really enjoy and appreciate the quality and integrity of your green knitting projects!

Anonymous said...

"Vermont Forest" is what it looks like to me. The little plants one sees in the spring forest are all over your shawl. I love it, by the way, and I definitely want this pattern. Can you hurry and write it up for all of us...no pressure, of course.

Suzy Girl said...

Beautiful!! What a perfect union of pattern and yarn.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful....you should be very proud. I would call it
"Envermontment"

Unknown said...

Just found your blog trough Ravelry, and I'm really impressed with your shawl. The shape, stitches and colour... You've got a great husband to bring this home for you!
Groeten uit Rotterdam

Ruth said...

It's beautiful! Quite Vermont-ish.

Pixieknitter said...

All I can say is WOW! Beautiful Job on the shawl. Reminds me of the moss beside a babbling brook. Very Earthly!!

Sarah said...

The shawl is gorgeous! I've got no name ideas but you should definitely write up the pattern.

Pattie in NY said...

Lovely shawl! I am in awe at how quickly you conceived and created this beauty!

kathy b said...

I am so happy you are proud of your work. we need to feel pride in our hardwork.
I LOVE this shawl.
I cannot resist trying to name the pattern.
You know it fans out more beautifully than most shawls. It is not pointy at the bottom. It is curved like a ladies fan.
It is so feminine, Mother Earthy, and almost winglike the way you show the last image.
I'll say: Dragonfly wing. OH maybe that isnt right.
I'll keep thinking!

Paulie said...

Oh my goodness, that is gorgeous. I cannot wait for the pattern, though it might be too hard for me...

willemtje said...

Wow, what a beauty!

Darcys Knotty Knitter said...

"The hills are alive"
This is one gorgeous shawl.
I think of the color of moss when I look at the color.Hugs Dracy

Hygge-Strik said...

You are so good, I love your beautiful shawl.

Lolly said...

It's a beauty! Love the amazing green!

gayle said...

Perfect shawl! And very Vermonty!

Lori in Michigan said...

Just lovely! Yes, Very Verdant Vermont!
Do write it!

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I'd name it after a part of Vermont. Definitely keep it connected to VT.

Anonymous said...

Oh my! I am loving this shawl! In the post you say you will write up the pattern - you should!! It is stunning!

Anonymous said...

your knits are beautiful. I look forward to seeing more, and maybe even trying some myself. thanks for sharing

rdwmrs said...

What a lovely shawl! Hopefully you are going to sell the pattern?

Joansie said...

It is absolutely gorgeous and I hope you will have the pattern available for sale.

The Grand Duchess said...

This is sooooooooooooooooooooo lovely!!!! Have you written the pattern yet? I'm holding my breath until you do, so please hurry!!!! What? You have a life to live? But I need to breathe..... lol!