Heavenly Hearthfire

Let's be honest: knitting projects are NOT all created equal. Some are frankly more compelling than others. And every once in a while, a special one comes along that exercises a unique fascination and takes the creative process to a whole new level.

That's what the Hearthfire Shawl was like for me, from the very first moment that I saw this limited holiday edition colorway of the Fiesta yarn called Gracie's Lace in December of last year. Forgive me, Dear Reader, if these pictures of the skein seem overused and all-too-familiar. I just can't seem to get enough of them!

On one level, it was all about the *colors* — fuchsia, blue-violet, cypress green, russet brown — each of them deep and rich enough to drown in on its own, and the whole ensemble brought together in a harmonious and cozy seasonal blend aptly named "Cranberry Crush." The description on the Earthfaire website (where, incidentally, they have several of the regular Gracie's Lace colorways in stock at the moment) said something about mulled cider that really stuck in my mind. I am very much a cool colors, white-metal jewelry sort of girl, and generally avoid warm shades in my personal wardrobe. Earth tones tend to crawl off me. But with the pink and purple to offset the cinnamon, this colorway quickly became the exception that proves the rule.

When the package from the yarn store arrived, unexpectedly fast as I recall, I ripped it open eagerly and paused only long enough to snatch one or two photos of the unwound hank before winding it up to see what it would look like. And then, of course, a week later I had the unforgettable epiphany of matching the yarn with the silver-lined dark topaz AB beads, which magically reflected ALL the colors in what was already a heady mixture, to make the whole thing sparkle and sing. Scintillating!!

Yet amid all the chromatic rapture, let us not neglect the *texture* of this sensuous beauty. Gracie's Lace is truly a feast for the touch as well as the eyes, with 70% resilient, springy merino, 15% luscious, shiny silk, and 15% buttery soft, self-indulgent cashmere. It was an incredibly smooth, cushy knit, the kind where I found myself torn between wanting to work fast and make progress toward completion and wanting to slow down and savor the experience of holding the knitting in my hands and running the yarn through my fingers. Fortunately, even after blocking (which can sometimes attenuate the fabric and change its tactile character), it still has an incredibly soft, luxurious feel.

And of course the other crucial element in all of this, was the *consummate artistry* of Sivia Harding's Harbour Lights shawl design. Originally inspired by the nautical images of a lighthouse and lapping waves, this triangle shawl with its bold radiating panels and unusually deep, flowing edge pattern lent itself perfectly to the home-for-the-holidays, festive cooking and candlelight/fireside warmth and fellowship evoked by the Cranberry Crush. So the Hearthfire concept emerged from a rich and harmonious fusion of colors, textures, and lace patterns.

It was, quite simply, a *WOW* experience for me from start to finish. The edging became a surprisingly large task, even with just 24 points around the outside of the triangle, because of its depth and intricacy. It took over a month to complete. When the shawl was done at last, I honestly missed being able to work on it anymore!! That is probably why I kept taking so many pictures of the finished object, literally dozens of them. I had enjoyed the whole process so thoroughly that I wanted to capture it and hold onto it somehow. Nor could I let it go here in the "blogosphere" without one final attempt to put some of my inspiration into words.

But enough rhapsodies... Without further ado, here is a gallery of the completed Hearthfire Shawl, both during and after blocking. You can tell the difference, when in doubt, because of my blocking cloth with its unmistakable (and amazingly helpful!!) grid peeking through from behind the lace. As always, click on any of these images to get a closer look. I strongly encourage it, because this is truly a fun piece to look at. It will reward your attention, I promise. :-)

I should note that since completing this shawl about a month ago, I have actually worn it several times. It is a delightful cover-up for a woman on-the-go and especially effective over Basic Black, which offsets the colors beautifully and lets them shine.

And this story has an Epilogue... Working in lace-weight yarn with a design that was written for fingering-weight, I paid close attention to the measurements and did several extra pattern repeats on the body of the shawl so that it would come out to be the right size. There were also some careful calculations for the edging, and when I realized what a substantial portion of the time, effort, and yarn had to be kept in reserve for that final phase of the project, I kept weighing the remainder of the skein after each pattern repeat of the body, because above all things I did NOT want to run out of yarn within sight of the finish. As a result, when all was said and done, I actually had 8 g of the precious fiber left over, which was just enough that I could not let it to go to waste. I had some extra beads too. So with a bit of tinkering, and thanks at least in part to the fact that I have been gifted (?) with small hands, I was able to make a set of beaded wristwarmers to match the shawl. I used the Estonian Lace Wristwarmers pattern by noted designer Evelyn Clark (available as a free Ravelry download). Click on any of these images likewise for a closer look if it pleases you.

It took some special care to ensure that the bind-off would be loose and elastic enough to get these on and off with ease, but they fit nicely and add a surprising amount of warmth for all their diminutive size and delicate appearance.

Hearthfire Home Stretch!!

Wow, it's been a while here. Unintentionally, of course, but I've been crazy busy lately with classes and faculty stuff. Thankfully, the semester is winding down now. Final exams start on Monday. And on this lovely spring Saturday morning, I *finally* have a chance to sit down and type up a quick blog post with the BIG NEWS that I am almost done with a lace project — although come to think of it, there is at least one new finished project that needs a gallery too. Sheesh! I hate falling behind...

At any rate, here is the current status of my Hearthfire Shawl (a.k.a. Harbour Lights by Sivia Harding). Just 3 1/2 edging points to go!! I have been gradually chipping away at it for weeks, and with any luck I should finish it this weekend. This is going to be such a special piece: beads, colors, silk, cashmere, etc. I can't wait to wear it. Click for a closer look, as always.

Aphorisms and Rose Lace, Just in Time for Spring

Aphorism #1: Spring Has Sprung!!

The annual signs of nature's renewal have been discernible everywhere recently: daffodils blooming in the front yard, birds enthusiastically singing in the trees, gentle rain falling instead of snow, and on clear days the sky once again turning that warm, cheery shade of blue that we have not seen in so long, etc. Miraculous and oh-so-very-welcome...

Every year at about this time, I imagine what it must have been like to live in the Stone Age, when the return of the sun could not be taken for granted. It must have seemed as though winter might seriously NEVER end, so that the growing daylight and warmth and budding plants in springtime were literally life-saving. I mean, we sometimes feel that way even now, despite everything that science has taught us about the continuing cycle of the seasons and how/why it occurs every year. No wonder so many ancient cultures celebrated a solstice festival of some kind!!

'Tis the season for new lace projects, at any rate... Among other things, I am now nearing the completion of my beloved Hearthfire Shawl, which has been such a source of JOY and INSPIRATION, bound up with all the cozy thoughts and spicy aromas from the holiday season. There will be more to say about that project in the not-too-distant future. I have some lovely photos to share. But meanwhile the question naturally arises of what I ought to do next in order to fill the gap, and while contemplating my stash lately, I have found my thoughts irresistibly taking on a certain rosy glow...

Aphorism #2: It is ALWAYS a Lady's Prerogative to Change Her Mind

Oooooh, look at this GORGEOUS object!! Readers who have been with me for a while may remember that it came into my life back in August of 2009. It is Whisper by Aurora, a buttery soft lace-weight 100% merino wool imported from Italy. The yarn is expertly hand-dyed, using a single hue at different degrees of saturation to produce a tonal effect. The color (aptly named "Roses") took my breath away the very first time I saw it, with shades ranging from a deep, rich fuchsia all the way to the palest imaginable pink. It reminds me of pristine English tea roses, bedewed and blinking in the morning sunshine.

The skein is a whopping 1250 m (= 1362 yards), so I have enough to create something truly special. Click on either image (right or above) to get a closer look.

I originally imagined with this yarn that I would knit a rectangular lace stole using the traditional rose-trellis pattern. Makes sense, right? I even joined a Yahoo Group called Yarnfeathers, because the Ravelry database told me about a suitable stole pattern in their members-only archive.

But then time passed. Other items in my queue took priority, and although I did print out the stole pattern and wind the yarn (in an unforgettable marathon session), for some reason I held off on any actual knitting. I created a project page on Ravelry with a picture of the wound skein and a link to the stole, but I never cast on. Every so often, in the intervening months, I would pull out the wound skein to admire it and mull over all the intriguing possibilities that it seemed to offer. Looking back, I guess I must not have been entirely sure that I had really found the right pattern yet, because I kept surreptitiously hunting about and examining various options.

Eventually, I had to face facts. This project wasn't going anywhere in a hurry. I had growing doubts about the stole idea, and at some point I deleted the project page on Ravelry and officially moved the yarn over into my stash while I continued to search for a pattern. At that point I was biding my time and waiting for the next inspiration to strike.

Then just last week I felt my inchoate thoughts start to gel all of a sudden. I realized that I definitely no longer want to knit a rose-colored stole, but a triangular shawl instead. The Hearthfire project has made me a convert. So I did an exhaustive search through the entire Ravelry database, looking specifically for intricate lace triangles.

In my experience, it can be frustrating to go pattern hunting when you have something very specific in mind, because so often you come away disappointed. Nobody "out there" seems to get it just right. This time again, as usual, many lovely things (and some not-so-lovely ones too, IMHO) were examined and duly rejected. In the process, I ran across several striking designs that I had not seen before, including this amazing variation on the peacock-feather motif that may very well be destined for my stash of Unique Sheep Eos in the Aurora Borealis colorway (shown paired with silver-lined capri blue magatama beads). But I tried to stay focused on the task at hand, and after several hours, I finally found EXACTLY what I was looking for.

The winner is American Beauty from BadCat Designs: a triangular lace shawl based on an elegant rosebud pattern that appears throughout, with a delicate edging and some magnificent larger floral motifs in strategic locations. Scroll down on the page linked above to see a photo gallery from the original KAL. Although the complete pattern is now available for purchase and easy download, it was originally published serially on the designer's blog. I took my time and read through the entries in some detail before making even a small investment, but in all honesty I had fallen head-over-heels in love with this shawl at the very first sight, just as I had done with the yarn back in August. I feel very VERY sure that we are looking at a match made in heaven.

Aphorism #3: NEVER Say Never...

Ironically, the pattern calls for 8/0 beads. Whence the irony? Pairing lace yarns with beads has obviously become a favorite pass-time around here, but I had specifically and rather emphatically NOT tried to do it with this particular yarn, because I was afraid that shiny objects might seriously detract from the colors of the wool, which look so spectacular in their unadorned state. But the American Beauty pattern forced me to think again and see if I might be able to find some suitable beads after all.

After taking a deep breath or two, I proceeded to look at a wide variety of bead options. But in the end it was just too hard to tell from the Internet whether any of them would actually work with the yarn when I got them here in person. So I sent an email to Ellen at Earthfaire, asking for advice. She is my go-to person for beads and had also sold me the yarn in the first place, so I knew that I could implicitly trust her recommendations. My email included the same two yarn photos that appear at the top of this blog post. But Ellen is a wise and careful woman. She did not want to make a final decision based solely on an image from a computer screen, any more than I did. So she offered to send me some bead samples instead.

It took several days for the postal service to do its handiwork, but a small padded envelope duly arrived in yesterday's mail, full of goodies. Ellen's current stock is happily replete with rose-tones. Reading from left to right (i.e. counter-clockwise), we have silver lined ruby AB, hot pink lined crystal AB, raspberry lined crystal AB, orchid lined crystal AB, pink lined crystal AB, white pearl ceylon (in a 6/0 size that I requested for the color, since the 8/0 are currently out of stock), and crystal AB. Click on the image (left) to see a larger version.

I knew in advance that some of these beads would not look good with yarn at all, but for "due diligence" to be observed it pays to see things in person. And indeed, when put to the test, the range of options quickly shrank from seven to four, because the raspberry and orchid are both clearly way too purple, and the hot pink has too much peach in it. Now here are pictures of the remaining four choices, each with the yarn. As always, click on any of them to take a closer look.

So there we are. Honestly, I could probably choose any one of them and not hate the results.

Taking them one at a time... I was especially pleased to see how well the silver lined ruby (upper left) matches the darker end of the spectrum in the yarn, because it was an outside chance at best and I do like the effect. But the rainbow highlights in the AB coating add flashes of gold and orange into the mix that I must say I find distracting, intensified as they are when viewed against a darker background. I keep imagining pale beads with this yarn anyway...

Among the pale choices, the white pearl ceylon (lower left) stands out just a tad too starkly for my taste, in addition to being currently unavailable in the smaller size. Ellen does have some 8/0 antique ivory pearl ceylon beads in stock, which have a soft "winter white" look that is still not quite as yellow as the regular ivory pearl ceylon. Intriguing. I have been tempted to order some for a while, and they would make a good addition to my stash, since I am bound to want them eventually, even if I don't use them right away now.

The crystal AB (lower right) look like tiny sparkling soap bubbles. They are an exquisite neutral and would go well with virtually any yarn, because their clear surface picks up and reflects whatever color you put next to it. See how they take on a pale pink glow in the photo above? My only reservation is that the effect is almost too subtle for the task at hand. When I add beads to a big piece of lace, I want them to make a bold statement, and I find these just a tad too self-effacing to stand up next to those exultant rose tones. It is a DELICATE balance that one aims to strike.

All of which points to the conclusion that I should probably go with the pink lined crystal (upper right). Oddly enough, they were my favorite option from the beginning, albeit by a narrow margin and subject to verification. Now that I have seen them in person, I am *thoroughly* convinced. The magic of this choice is that the beads match the yarn perfectly, as if they had been dyed with the very same brush. So they accentuate and highlight the colors of the wool rather than competing with them. These beads also have an ethereal, pearlescent quality to their centers, and yet they are not entirely opaque. So they bring together all the best qualities of the other choices (i.e. the color match of the ruby, the pearly glow of the ceylon, and the clarity of the crystal) without any of the drawbacks that I mentioned above. Each single bead will show up nicely on its own, and the effect will be as harmonious and balanced as anyone could wish.

So now the only thing left to decide now is how many beads I should purchase. The pattern as written calls for 35 g, i.e. a single container. But I am tempted to get two of them, because I am probably going to make some minor modifications to the pattern that are likely to require extra beads. While it is easy enough to order more as needed, I do not like to worry about possibly running out. The pattern also asks for 9 special heart-shaped beads that are meant to go in certain key spots on the shawl as an homage to Valentine's Day (hearts & roses). Not really my thing... I found at least one knitter on Ravelry who replaced the hearts with clusters of the 8/0 beads, which is a nice idea. Alternately, the pink-lined crystal is also available in the larger 6/0 size, and I could sprinkle in a few of those as embellishments without jeopardizing the color scheme in ANY way.

Aphorism #4: Always Finish What You've Started

Good advice, especially for a knitter with chronic start-itis (like me, hehe, just look at those progress bars!!). But since the only way to achieve completion is by knitting, rather than blogging, I think I will take a convenient exit. This post has already gone on long enough!! ;-)

In the Glow of the Hearthfire

Remember Serendipity Strikes? It was mid-December and *love at first sight*, when I first placed the Gracie's Lace Cranberry Crush (70% merino wool, 15% silk, 15% cashmere) next to the silver-lined dark topaz AB beads (see photo at left). Sivia Harding's Harbour Lights Shawl seemed like the ideal pattern to showcase all those rich, warm, yummy colors. Naturally, once we got through the excitement of Christmas Day and its aftermath, I couldn't wait to get started knitting. Hehe. I think my fingers were literally itching with anticipation...

This is my first foray into the intriguing world of triangle shawls, but I am enjoying myself so much that I sincerely doubt it will be my last. Worked from the top down, it starts out tiny, with only 5 stitches across, but then quickly starts to expand in several directions at once. So after the initial setup, I eagerly began on the main pattern for the body of the shawl. The design consists of a vertical center band flanked by two triangular side panels, each of which has a smaller central band of its own. SO MUCH visual interest and symmetry. A veritable feast for the eyes and the mind!!

Because of the warm, cozy feeling that it gives me and the candlelight shapes that are a basic element of the design, I have christened this my Hearthfire Shawl. It is such a *pleasure* to knit.

Since the start I have managed to devote at least a few minutes to this project every day or two, and the work is coming along nicely. I have completed 6 pattern repeats so far, and according to the scale I have used up 30 g from the 100g skein. I originally projected that I would end up with 9 pattern repeats plus the edging, but we'll see when we get there how the measurements turn out. At least I am no longer much concerned about running out of yarn. Maybe there will even be enough left over for a pair of matching wrist-warmers. That would certainly be fabulous!!

And without further ado, here are some pictures taken at various stages of its development. The first in the series (upper left) was from day one of knitting, and the fourth (lower right) is less than 24 hours old. As always, click on any of them to get a closer look.

Now that I come to think about it, this project engages all of the senses to an unusual degree. I mean, it doesn't actually have an aroma or a flavor (although I do periodically find myself thinking about the mulled cider from Ellen's original description on the Earthfaire website), but the colors exercise a real allure as they subtly change from one to the other. These are rich, dark, saturated hues. Each one makes a statement individually, and yet they all blend together too in the most harmonious way. Then there is the iridescent glow of the beads, reflecting back all the different colors of the yarn. The bead placement is exquisitely designed to show off each individual bead like a little gemstone. They remind me of fire opals or Madeira citrines. I am really glad that I went with the larger 6/0 size, because they stand out without overwhelming. And of course the fabric itself feels velvety soft to the touch (cashmere, ah, cashmere...). The end result promises to be something quite remarkable, if I do say so myself.

Getting the Picture

I am still reeling from The Serendipity Effect around here. Sounds almost like a Robert Ludlum novel, doesn't it?

So a little after dawn this morning (& with help from the flash on my camera), I managed to snap a particularly good picture of the Gracie's Lace Cranberry Crush with the Dark Topaz AB beads, i.e. one that really shows off all the delicious colors. Rather than re-editing the previous post to include this new photo, I thought I would just publish a supplement.

This is one you will definitely want to view full-size. Just click and enjoy...

Serendipity Strikes

I was sitting here yesterday, working on one knitting project and quietly musing to myself in the back of my mind about several more that are waiting in the wings. This has always been a favorite imaginative pass-time for me, because I am fascinated by the endless permutations of patterns and textures and colors. Who wouldn't be, right? And the addition of beads into my world this past summer has brought a whole new element of sparkle into the already heady mix.

Well... One thought led to another, and before long I found myself casting about on Ravelry for triangle shawl patterns and on Earthfaire for possible bead pairings to go with my luscious Gracie's Lace Cranberry Crush. It was just a casual search at first, really more of a fact-finding mission than anything else. (Click on this photo and/or the one above to get a closer look, especially if you did not see my earlier post about this delicious blend of70% extra fine merino wool, 15% silk, and 15% cashmere.)

And then it happened. Twice!!

First I rediscovered Sivia Harding's magnificent Harbour Lights Shawl. It's *exactly* the sort of thing that I had in mind. I wanted something triangular for ease of wear, as well as the possibility of experimenting with a faroese-style design. I think that Sivia's choice of lace patterns — evocative of candlelight or a glowing fireplace — will really show off the yummy warm tones of the yarn to best advantage. The original calls for about 800 yards of a fingering-weight yarn, so I will have to fiddle with the number of pattern repeats for my finer gauge, but with a little TLC & careful calculations, my 965 yards should be plenty. I am 99% sure that this is The One. So exciting!!

Then came the question of beads. Sivia Harding's designs almost always include at least a few beads (she explains why in this often-cited Knitty Editorial), and Harbour Lights is no exception. I was not sure at first that I even wanted to add beads to the multi-colored yarn. It's so hard to find just the right match and balance of hues...

But when I first purchased the yarn, just as a speculative exercise I asked Ellen at Earthfaire for some recommendations, and she sent me several bead choices in the 8/0 size, ranging from transparent topaz to olive green to a raspberry pink-lavender. Yesterday I went back to those options and started looking around again. Harbour Lights calls for 6/0 beads (albeit with a heavier yarn), and I was reasonably sure that I wanted the larger size even with the lace-weight. I was seriously considering a possible purchase -- plain silver-lined dark topaz -- and comparing various items already in my bead stash to the images in my head, when all of a sudden I happened to place one of my existing containers of silver-lined dark topaz AB next to the Cranberry Crush.

>> SHAZZAM!!! <<

It was a PERFECT match. Every color in the yarn is in these beads and vice versa.

This is 100% counter-intuitive. With a multi-colored yarn, normally the best approach would be to pick *one* of the colors for the beads, because what are the odds of finding just the right blend? All of Ellen's recommendations followed this pattern. So I was completely blown away. Was, am, and will be... I strongly suggest that you click on the image below, to get a closer look at the genuine DEPTH of this match. I deliberately took the picture in relatively low-light conditions, so that the colors in the beads (rather than their sparkle) would dominate.

To appreciate the full impact of this stunning revelation, you have to understand two things: (a) that I bought these beads quite a while ago, on spec, simply because I thought they were interesting, and (b) that I had been in a bit of a quandary ever since, not knowing what color yarn to choose to go with them. The beads were purchased completely independently of the yarn, in other words, and have been sorely in need of just the right match!! I sincerely doubted that I would find something anytime soon, either, because of the range of colors reflected in their shiny surface.

So to run across such a perfect blend more or less at random like this is *SERENDIPITY* in the truest and most astonishing sense. I am still waiting for the reality to sink in, and I have to wonder how long it will be before I cave in and do a test swatch or two so that I can pick my needles and really get started — although I would like to finish my Parisian Ostritch stole first. Less than 2 pattern repeats (& some intense beadwork) to go on that before the end...

"I can resist anything but temptation."

I have acquired a new treasure. Happy dance!!

It was a limited edition lace-weight offering from Earthfaire, and despite the famous quip from Oscar Wilde in the subject heading above, it will probably prove to be my last significant yarn purchase of the year: Fiesta Yarns Gracie's Lace (70% extra-fine merino, 15% silk, 15% cashmere) in a luscious colorway called "Cranberry Crush" that was specifically designed and hand-painted for the 2009 holiday season.

Of course, my attention was first grabbed by the striking combination of rich, yummy colors (rosy cranberry, golden cinnamon/russet, dusky violet, and cypress green), as well as the reference to mulled cider in Ellen's typically evocative description on the website. I am always a sucker for food-talk over the holidays!! But honestly, it was the cashmere content that persuaded me not to let this one go, because I knew I would live to regret it. And of course there are 965 irresistible yards in a single 100 g skein.

I placed my order last Tuesday (i.e. two days before Thanksgiving). There were only a handful of skeins to begin with. I believe I was the first to grab one, and I am very glad to have acted when I did, because the others are already gone. The package was shipped on Friday, and to my great pleasure it arrived in *today's* mail. What a wonderful surprise on a cold & blustery Monday!!

After taking some pictures of the unwound hank, I got out the swift and wound it right away, just to see how the colors would blend. Here are the results.

Click on any of these images to take a closer look. This is a real *stunner*, n'est-ce pas? :-)

The next step, naturally, will be to choose the perfect lace pattern. I don't have anything specific in mind just yet, but I will definitely be on the lookout. Whatever I choose, the garment will have to be something versatile, because this is one I will want to WEAR. Often.