Today, under sunny skies and in the company of my family, I am counting more than blessings; I am counting the 24 stitch pattern repeat of the Peacock's 7th chart. Yes, it's true: I am in Nirvana. This penultimate chart is the essence of the Peacock shawl, where the abstractions turn to clear and legible plumes, and the knitting of the row below is easy to read as you work across. I am soaring, thanks for asking.
It has been a tough week getting through the row 161 obstacle. Historically I have been inclined to toss the thing in the Rubbermaid time capsule TM and move on, but with people watching, and a knitting circle that almost cares about what I'm up to (it's hard to tell: they're a very chatty group), it was a matter of pride to whip the thing into submission. I swore off any daliances with my other knitting to keep myself focused, but I did console myself a bit on the wheel, since technically, that's not knitting.
Now I'm ready to show you what sneaky businesss I've been up to.
Some of you may recognize it, since I've had this on my spindle since the Alden Amos workshop, and I've managed some spinning in company since then. It's 8 ounces of incredible fiber that Susan sent me in a trade a month ago. I recall that she picked it for me from Lynn, aka Spinerella. It has just a touch of angelina in it for flirty sparkle and fun, and some silk thrums, for splash. Here's a link to a much better representation of what the colours are than what my measley camera can capture.
Yes, I have other fiber that has been waiting, angora even, rainbow batts from Grafton Fiber, if you can believe it, but this green is so precisely the colour of my seduction that I would spin asbestos if it came in this shade.
I am about half way through what I have, and since it looks like that will be three very full spindles, I think I may have enough to join the sheep flocking to the Highland Triangle (from Folk Shawls). Or I may make the Faroese shawl from A Gathering of Lace. I'll have to see what the final yarn plied, washed, and swatched turns out to be like, but I think a shawl will tolerate the uneveness of my spinning.
holy smokes YOU have been a busy girl.
You inspire me.
go, go, GO !!!
Helen
Posted by: Helen in NH | July 11, 2005 at 07:24 AM
*envy* leaks from my pores. What beautiful singles. Uneven? Hah. Not. Come to my house to look at uneven.
I vote for the Highland one.
Oh, you weren't putting it out for vote? Bwahahaha!
Posted by: Laurie | July 11, 2005 at 07:53 AM
Lovely singles and in one of my favorite colors! It will make a gorgeous shawl!
Posted by: Kim | July 11, 2005 at 08:38 AM
I absolutely LOVE the Peacock feather shawl & can't wait to see yours in a photo!
Posted by: Eilene | July 11, 2005 at 08:42 AM
Wow, those batts are gorgeous! I'll be delighted to see your shawl. Well, delighted and a mixture of jealous and feeling inadequate. But delighted nonetheless. ;-D
Posted by: Norma | July 11, 2005 at 08:51 AM
In what alternate universe is that spinning uneven?
Man oh man, that roving is incredible. Man oh man I am in trouble with a capital T...I need taller ceilings and a wheel....
Posted by: Lee Ann | July 11, 2005 at 09:49 AM
That is an amazing color. And Im really glad to hear that you got through the chart mishap.
Posted by: Cassie | July 11, 2005 at 11:15 AM
I'm with Lee-Ann - uneven where? I've seen them, lady, you can't fool me.
Gorgeous, gorgoeus color.
Posted by: Juno | July 11, 2005 at 11:39 AM
Singles look fine from here! And even if it didn't, plying and knitting will truly mask all grist sins.
Posted by: June | July 11, 2005 at 02:14 PM
Hurray for your Peacock progress! You should be proud of yourself. (I know I was.) And yes, your singles look great!
Posted by: Deb | July 11, 2005 at 02:21 PM
Oh, hooray. You have made it through the desert and the red sea is parting...oh, something like that, happy passover is what I'm getting at. :)
I totally know what you mean about having people watching helping you finish. It doesn't help me with everything, but one of the biggest reasons I blog is that it keeps me going on my knitting, and it challenges me to try new things, knitting-wise. All for the good.
Can't wait to see your peacock. And to see that lovely handspun find its destiny!
Posted by: mamacate | July 11, 2005 at 02:42 PM
Wow! Speedy knitter :)
Posted by: Dani | July 12, 2005 at 12:08 PM
I just looked at your "on the needles" and I am in awe over your ability. I am in love with the pecock scarf, but have no hopes to even try it right now.
Posted by: Teresa | July 13, 2005 at 08:19 AM
I'm not a big fan of green, but that's a green even I can drool over! The Peacock Feathers Shawl is also very lovely.
Posted by: liz | July 13, 2005 at 08:50 AM