Saturday, December 1, 2007

Taking flight

The pattern: Simurgh, by Anne Hanson. Knit in Blue Moon Fiber Arts' Geisha yarn, in the shadow colorway with size 4 and size 5 Addis. Geisha is 70% kid mohair, 20% mulberry sillk, 10% nylon, and 100% luscious. And this colorway is to die for. Anne very kindly let me test knit it, which has been an absolute blast, as well as being quite an honor, as I am in awe of her designs and of the thought process behind them. I made no alternations to the pattern at all.

I finished it at about 9:30 this morning, and set it to soak.
Atticus wanted to help. In order to be able to keep my hands off of it long enough for it to soak, I took the girls to the farmer's market, which took the perfect amount of time. I came home, and blocked it out to about 20 inches wide by 80 inches long, knowing that it would shrink some as it dried and that the target dimensions were 18x72.
I can't tell you how hard it was to keep my hands off of it. I kept chanting drydrydry at it, and wondering when the Santa Anas were going to come back (the weather gods must find me very confusing. I wish for cold, wet weather almost all the time, except when I need knitwear to dry, when I wish for the very winds I usually curse. Of course, as soon as they're dry, I'm back to wishing for cold and wet again so I can wear them; this is not evidence of a contrary nature, I swear).

Atticus guarded it to ensure that there would be no premature unpinning.
Do you see the look on his face? He's saying, "Back off, baby."

I was just about to die of impatience when Rachael (who is also test knitting this stole in a really gorgeous yarn; she's just posted photos -- go check them out) told me that she puts a fan on things to make them dry faster. So I turned the ceiling fan on, and finally decided that I could turn the heat on (the house was 65, which in my world is chilly). That got things moving. Just in time for the last little bit of light. We lost it before we were really done, but I just can't wait any longer.

Gwilim is helping me post:
He takes his job seriously. And with no further ado, Simurgh:

(as you can see, the light was going so fast, I didn't even take the time to change into lighter colored clothes)
It's long enough to go around with both tails in the back, which I love.
I'm still wearing it. I probably won't take it off ever. And you can't make me.

19 comments:

Anne said...

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. I'm glad you didn't make us wait for photos.

Bea said...

Fabulous. It looks really amazing. I'm impressed. I might like to check out that yarn too!

Also I impressed with your cats. If mine where that close to yarn it would be in tatters or at the very least snagged quite a bit. They are so good and well behaved!

hopalong682003 said...

I love it. I can why you were asked to a "test knit" of this. You did a FANTASTIC job. I'm impressed. And, I love your guard cats. :-)

Rabbitch said...

It's lovely!

Stell said...

amazingly beautiful, well done and for saving the lace yesterday, yes if a knitter knits but there is no blogpost - yes it was knit, because they post the next day

Rachael said...

SO PRETTY!!!!! I wish I could see it in person. After going through this test knit it would be really fun to put ours side by side to see the differences & similarities.

Wear it well, wear it often, wear it proudly - it is beautiful.

Marianne said...

Oh mercy. I now know that I need to knit this stole. I bought and downloaded Irtfa'a.. for future knitting but Simurgh...sigh.
Stunning, beyond beautiful. It's beautiful on you, and likewise what Rachel says in wearing it :^)

Ok, I'm dorky like this but dude, I love your hair!

Meema said...

Ah, so pretty! I am impressed with your restraint (and coping techniques).

BTW - you are allowed to wear beautiful lace as often as you want with whatever you durn well please!

Gwen said...

Don't take it off. It's gorgeous. And such a festive colour!

Congratulations on the come back from potential disaster.

I'm amazed at how many times I feel like a dork when I try to help someone with something or other. I've been wrong offering sometimes, but I still do it. And I don't mean anybody's been nasty to me, just didn't need the help. But I think the gentleman yesterday did and appreciated you.

knitspot anne said...

completely stunning! i am so grateful you tackled this one!

Kim said...

WOW....what a lovely job you did on this stole!!! Very pretty!

Jason said...

So beautiful!

Nana Sadie said...

GORGEOUS!!!!
Congrats...
(((hugs)))

Laura said...

I love your Simurgh. Turned out beautifully. Anne does the best designs! Looks like your two little kitties are great helpers, too.

Anonymous said...

So beautiful, great job both yours and Anne's :)

Margaret said...

Fabulous! I wouldn't take it off either.

Carrie K said...

I wouldn't take it off either. That's gorgeous! I hope whatever you got [shudder] shopping showcases it!

Anonymous said...

I am in awe. That is just amazingly beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. I wish we have virtual monitors through which we could actually see and feel the stole.

Yes, it's good that you have the sense to help others in need even when it's inconvenient and you feel like a klutz (prev post). Why do we allow ourselves to feel stupid in such a situation?

(Taking a clue from a previous commentor...)