Melting the ice - Faire fondre la glace

It is finally warm in Switzerland. I am missing a little bit less Australia, even if I am still a bit cold on the evenings or when the wind blows.
The mix of cotton, rayon and linen of my own "Glaciers are Melting" shawl is absolutely perfect for my naked shoulders. Soft, with a great drape, a bit heavy and holding its place beautifully it is adapted to the warming temperature and is still and always a delice to wear. I have tested this shawl for four seasons now (I am counting our freezing cold april as a late winter) and I still love it dearly. My friend Barbara does too. She has been wearing the first Melting Glaciers for more than two years, taking it everywhere with her. Each time I see her whe keeps repeating how much she loves it. If ther was any doubt ever (no) she is absolutely the most knit-worthy person I know!

This is why I am astonished this gem has still only 7 projects on Ravelry. Knitters don't know what they miss.


ps.: It is also a great summer knit: the yarn does not stick to the needle or the fingers.


Il fait enfin beau et chaud en Suisse. Je regrette un peu moins l'Australie, même si j'ai encore un peu froid le soir, ou quand la brise s'en mèle.
Le mélange coton, viscose et lin de mon châle "Glaciers are Melting" est parfait pour des épaules nues. Doux, d'un beau tombé un peu lourd qui tient bien, adapté aux températures plus clémentes, c'est encore et toujours un délice à porter. Je l'ai déjà testé sur quatre saisons (je considère ce mois d'avril glacial comme un hiver tardif), et je l'aime toujours autant. Mon amie Barbara aussi, qui porte régulièrement le premier Glaciers Fondent et l'emporte partout depuis deux ans!! Chaque fois que je la vois elle me répète combien elle aime ce châle. S'il y a jamais eu un doute (non) elle est vraiment digne de recevoir du tricot-main.

Il n'a pourtant pour l'instant que 7 projets sur Ravelry. Les tricoteuses ne savent pas ce qu'elles perdent!

ps.: C'est aussi un projet estival idéal: le fil ne colle ni aux doigts ni aux aiguilles.

Also in my etsy shop - Aussi en vente sur mon shop etsy.

pattern: Glaciers are melting

In december 2009, I created a luminous shawl using a linen and rayon mix yarn:

The inspiration for this piece came from five balls of matt-and-shiny ice blue yarn and the desire to adapt the Fountain lace pattern (BGW.II.252) for the “spine” of a triangular shawl. I followed my theme and improvised slowly cracking and melting ice, using a couple of my favourite lace patterns found in Barbara G. Walker’s great treasuries of knitting pattern.

The resulting shawl was a tribute to the melting ice in the poles, and absolutely stunning. I took a couple of photos to show it in Ravelry, and gave it to a good friend for her 40th birthday.When asked by many ravelers to publish the pattern, I first thought it was too complicated to explain precisely how to knit it, and didn’t want to simplify it.

***

At last I was convinced to give it a try. I had to recreate it, and took lots of note to make sure other knitters could obtain the same result. I finally managed to publish it just before leaving to Australia.

The second version of Les Glaciers Fondent - renamed Glaciers are Melting - is even better than the original. The pattern can be tricky sometimes, but I think the result is well worth the concentration, don't you think?

 

Techniques

This shawl begins with my own special technique to obtain a strong, perfect and invisible cast-on. It features a fluid pattern in the center, adapted to incorporate the central increases of a neck-down triangular shawl. The two different lace patterns of the lower end melt into each other. The ending is a simple knitted bind-off on the wrong side.
Appart from the basic knitting techniques, you only need to know two advanced techniques:

• Judy’s Magic cast-on (see http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html)
• Knitting lace from chart.

 

Credits

This pattern was tested by six wonderful ravelers. They where all quick, nice and knowledgeable knitters. Thank you so much Amie, Elizabeth, Hatice, Linda, Marylin and Pauline. :)

See what other people ha ve made with the pattern:

See my other patterns on ravelry: Filambulle's designs

TKN 6: two lace shawls in progress

I am knitting two lovely and very different lace shawls.



One is the old Birch with Rowan's Kidsilk Haze for which I am creating a border as I go. This one is all fuzziness and fluffiness, freedom and a tiny bit of concern for the finished object.



The other is the new and not even totally published Mystery3 shawl. I am following blindly the instructions of the designer, and the cashemire I am using (Colourmart 100% cashemire in heavylaceweight) is much more restrained in its appearance, with an amazing stitch definition and in a modest charcoal color. I know that this one is going to be a wonder.



Both are very soft, both are a little beaded, and I am enjoying as much one as the other.



Knitting lace shawls is fun.