Pattern:"Blooming Stitch Shawl By Mary White"
Yarn: Beyond Basic Knits 50% Merino / 50% Silk Lace in Innocence
Needles: US 5 (3.75mm)
Started: May 24
finished: June 13
This shawl came to me at the exact right time. I needed it. It is beautiful and elegant and everything that you can hope for in summer knitting. I worked the 7 leaves/8 bloom version. There is a smaller version (5 leaves/6 blooms) that is equally gorgeous. The yarn is perfect. Just the right amount of sheen and bounce. It couldn't have come together any better.
The pattern is available as a download on "Ravelry" and also via "patternfish".
(a little hesitant to post this picture of my posterior but it does give the best idea of shawl size)
Like I said this came to be at the right time. I test knit this for Mary and there were a few mistakes in the original write up (there are with ALL patterns this is why there are test knitters). But Mary is fantastic and totally on the ball with keeping up communication with her testers. It was a pleasure working with Mary. The pattern came out fantastic and the lace is gorgeous.
This shawl is a bugger to block, though. I struggle with blocking on the best of days. Then this lace comes along. Mary let me know before I started blocking that it was a pain. She wasn't joking. But once you give in and let the shawl move the way it wants and not try to force it into something you want. It will all come together and work out great. It tends to tier, and does not need to be blocked to harshly. Mary gives adequate notes on this in the pattern. She also provides some blocking tips to make things go a little smoother.
I also think this shawl would be absolutely lovely with beads added. Not sure if I will get a chance to do that or not. But I'm sure someone will and it will be divine. If I get the chance to knit it again I totally plan to add some beads in.
