Pretty As a Peacock

Welcome 2008!

2008-01-25T01:06:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody, I'm a bit behind in wishing you all a happy new year for 2008!!

It's so exciting to see the peacocks popping up all over ravelry, congratulaions to all you finishers, they all look so beautiful, I dont' think I shal ever tire of looking at them.

There's been a few new joiners as well, so welcome to you and I hope you enjoy knitting the pretty as a peacock shawl.

Jae and I pop in here regularly to check out the progress, so get those pictures up and show us your stuff.

And, a bit of trivia for the peacock lovers out there. Do you know what the collective noun for a group of peacocks is?

OSTENTATION. An ostentation of peacocks. Don't you just LOVE that? I do.

Finally blocked!

2008-01-22T17:55:00.001-08:00

blocking the shawl!
Originally uploaded by Clarica

I finished about a week ago, and finally got a sink plug today so I could wash and rinse and block it. I love it!

Clue A done

2008-01-05T13:38:00.001-08:00

I'm doing this KAL along with the Ravelry group, so I cast on today. Here is Clue A. I'll probably knit more tonight, but I just wanted to share:

It's done!

2008-01-04T23:09:00.000-08:00

I finished knitting and blocking yesterday. I'm happy with the result. It was a great pattern to nit. Next time though I will probably use larger needles to get an even lacier look. This shawl I'm giving to my sister-in-law.

Hi there from Germany

2008-01-01T03:31:00.000-08:00

First, I wish you all a wonderfull new year!
When I saw this shawl I knew immediately that I have to knit it. I have no idea if I will ever wear it.... but I like this pattern soooo much!
Well, than I bought the pattern in UK (the shipping costs from the oversea stores are much too high). And than I started thinking about the yarn to use for this shawl.
Going to my stash I decided to use Gossamer from Knitpicks in the Blue Jeans colourway. Well, I'm afraid the variegated dying will eat the pattern... But we'll see. Now I'm finished the chart B and I have to admit that I don't like the way the colouring comes out. But when I started knitting I decided: if the colouring will not be nice (in my mind) than I will dye the shawl after finishing.
Does anybody else use the Gossamer or a variegated yarn for the peacock? Any experiences with this?

angela from bestrickendes.de
bzw. angelaknits @ ravelry

All set to go!

2007-12-24T11:53:00.001-08:00

You know how, the Monday before a holiday, you figure there's probably going to be nothing at all in the mailbox. Or at the very least, nothing really NICE in the mailbox? Well, that didn't happen here! I got my yarn in my mailbox today! It's beautiful, and unbelievably soft. It's Lisa Souza's "South Pacific"colorway in superfine merino fingering weight. So, hopefully the colors and lace pattern will be a compliment to one another. I guess we shall soon find out!

Cathi in California (or "EllyMae" in blogland)

Finished!

2007-12-22T18:37:00.000-08:00

Finished the last cast-off stitch a few minutes ago. I'll block it tomorrow and try to have photos up on Monday. I've really enjoyed working on this pattern. The charts are so very well written and easy to follow, that it has really been a fun knit. Thank you, Jae! The work you put into this design is most definitely appreciated.
(Edited 12/23 to add blocking photo.)

Yarn is on its way!

2007-12-19T02:53:00.000-08:00

I ordered some Zephyr lace weight at Ailsa's suggestion, and Meghan from Yarns Online has emailed to say that it has arrived! Whilst I doubt that it will arrive for Xmas it will probably arrive in time to cast on for the new year, so here's to a peacock-y 2008!

Hi

2007-12-16T09:41:00.000-08:00

Hi and thanks for letting me join I am Agusta in Iceland aka StashDiva. I will not start this beauty until after the new year but I have the yarn ready, specially dyed from the Yarn Chef and boy am I happy with it. Actually I think that this beautiful pattern would look good in any color and yarn so if all goes well I might knit another one. But at least here is a picture of the yarn I am using, the picture does not do this yarn a justice as I am a really lousy photographer, it has a lot of very subtle color variation that don't show up too well.

Near Tragedy Averted!

2007-12-11T11:39:00.000-08:00

Last night I finished row 179 — one chart and eight rows to go. I have not been using lifelines. Pattern is a breeze, and I've been counting on the purl rows to be sure I haven't messed up any yarn overs.

Long story short — while moving stuff around in my office after lunch, I managed to pull the circular part way out. Like, 50 stitches worth. And the yarn pulled out back to the needle tip. Leaving all of those lovely YOs hanging loose. I grabbed a 2 mm circular and started picking up stitches — very carefully. I finally managed to get everything back on the needle and the dropped stitches picked up. Started to knit row 180 and stopped. I ran a lifeline. I am now prepared, just in case I do something this stupid again.

one skein - row 80

2007-12-10T15:52:00.001-08:00

one skein - row 80
Originally uploaded by Clarica

I'm doing mine up in Knit Picks Palette (color rainforest heather), and have just finished row 80, with just a dangle of thread from my first skein (231 yds) left to go. I had a horrible time this row, as I had to stop in the middle and tink back to row 76 so I could get 78 right in one spot, so I'd have the right number of stitches there. Nightmare!

Finally

2007-12-06T21:55:00.000-08:00

I've been hanging out to start knitting this peacock and finally managed to get started a couple of nights ago. Its a lovely pattern to knit and I'm now halfway though Chart B.

A Chart and a Half

2007-12-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

I love working on this pattern with this yarn. I wish I had more time for this project. Christmas knitting is nagging though. Here is my progress so far.

Ah for more time.

Plodding along

2007-12-02T01:13:00.000-08:00

Well I'm half way through Chart B. Frogged a few times but now on track. Ailsa checked it for me at our Snb found a mistake wayyyyy back that I'd corrected????? don't know how. So i'm off again, it's so good to have the "best" as a teacher, guide and helper. Ailsas' love of lace really shows, she seems at peace while knitting incredable patterns. Sorry no pics yet have to learn how to do that, very new to all this.
I put in a life line today as Ailsa suggested, I'm more confident now if I boo boo. Now I just have to find my pattern it's lost in my car somewhere, I know it's there, it must be hidding.

An ostentation of peacocks.

2007-12-01T19:16:00.000-08:00

So delighted to see so many posts on this blog - keep up the great work people! I can see an ostentation of peacocks coming this way soon!

In the meantime, check out my pictures, blogger willing.

(Impossible to photograph colour corrrectly without filter/photoshop/skills beyond my abilities. It isn't really that bright. No need for sunglasses at all!)

Project Specifications:

Laceweight version in Jaggerspun Zephyr, colour Fuschia.

Blocks to roughly the same size as the pattern suggests.

Approx 1200 yds - I'll weight it if I can find my scales.

Needle size 3.25mm

Now I have finished this, I can comment about what I suspected all along, but wasn't sure of saying without evidence.

It isn't that much smaller (lengthwise) in laceweight. It is a bit smaller in the span of it, but the length, much the same.

It's more open, and lighter and has less of the substance of the sport weight one, but doesn't lose the textural quality of the quills.

Two thumbs up!

Savour the moment

2007-11-28T16:17:00.000-08:00

(Sorry about the cross-post. It's hard to write different words about the same thing.)

Look.

That would be the last stitch of the peacock.

Listen.

That would be the deafening sound of nobody caring in my house.

Still, I can always count on the internet. The internet cares.

Blocked pics to follow.

My yarn got in...

2007-11-27T06:35:00.000-08:00

.... and I didn't touch it for FOUR DAYS. (I don't know where that bit of willpower came from!) The yarn is Claudia Hand Painted Yarns in "Ocean Depth". The needles are the gold Addi turbos that I was saving for "something special". Last night, I couldn't stand it any longer, so I'm off and knitting!

Yay!

What are your thoughts for a yarn choice?

2007-11-27T02:44:00.000-08:00

You all know how this pattern is written for fingering or sportsweight yarn, right? I was wondering about using lace weight yarn for this pattern, if I would need less yardage? How much less yardage would I need?

I'm so itching to get started on this one! Would you call me optemistic if I told you that I had ordered the blocking wires already?...

Also, what are people thinking about colour choices? I am pretty well thinking of teal-y colours. Is anyone being more adventurous?

Yarn Thoughts...

2007-11-24T14:15:00.000-08:00

I started playing around with different yarns to use last night. Tried a midnight colored lace merino first with US 3 needles--it didn't seem to work for me. Maybe it would have looked great in the end but didn't think I wanted to take the chance.

Now I am working with some tilli tomas yarn --voile de la mer (olive- colorway). This could be the yarn for my peacock---thinking of doing the "top" of the shawl with this yarn and then changing to some Habu silk for the "bottom feathers". (Maybe holding soft morhair with the habu)

Does anyone have any thoughts on using 2 yarns for the shawl? Would it work? Do you think it would be too weird?

Valerie

Finished Chart E

2007-11-24T12:21:00.000-08:00

Finished Chart E last night. I'm neglecting my other knitting for this shawl. It's rare to find a pattern this nice to work with.

Thanks for including me!

2007-11-23T22:58:00.001-08:00

Thank you!

It's not all beer and skittles at Chez Knitabulous

2007-11-23T13:19:00.000-08:00

(Sometimes there are no skittles.)

Take a look what I had to do yesterday.

Somehow I stuffed a row up on Chart G. I blame Gregory House.

I tried to go back and fix it up, but it was too much for my brain, and was going to take an eternity.

So I soaked it. (Thank heaven for stainless steel needles.)

And I blocked it.

And I identified the problem.

And then I realised this problem was the least of my problems, so I ripped back four rows, left the live stitches on the bed and picked them up again with the circular needle.

It's not so scary when it's blocked, because it sets the stitches and they stay relatively put.

Got straight back in the saddle, and now I've just finished chart H now, only 16 pattern rows to go!!

(BTW - Row 182 has two SSK's missing, if you look at the chart you'll see where they go, it looks like a simple typo to me as it was not an issue in the test knit).

How's everyone else going?

Can't wait to start

2007-11-22T23:19:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. I'm very pleased to be part of this KAL. Its a fabulous design. I have my pattern and my wool but not yet the time. I'm madly trying to finish a shawl for my mother before she comes and visits me next week. The centre panel is complete but I still have to knit the border. Once that is done the peacock will commence.

A bit about myself. I have been knitting for about 35 years - my mother taught me. I live on a secluded bush block on the side of a mountain surrounded by tall trees, many birds and a garden that is crying for attention now that summer has arrived.

Here I Go Again!!!

2007-11-22T05:39:00.000-08:00

Here I go again!!! I signed of for yet another KAL. This shawl/capelet is so beautiful. I do not have my yarn yet. I would love to spin my own however, with the holidays and the fact I'm in so many other KALs I don't know that I could get that much spun up very quick. Oh, I'm a relatively new spinner as well, since about March 07. I do believe I will be using a fingering weight. I've been knitting with all these lace weights I think a fingering would be a delightful change. Can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

Guess I should introduce myself huh? I am a 50 year old Kentucky gal. We live in the Corvette Capital, Bowling Green, KY. In fact I can see the Corvette Museum from my front porch. I have been married to the same man for 30 years and we have three children, 29m, 27f, & 23m.
Most importantly I have the cutest little 5 year old granddaughter, Emma Belle. Her picture can be found plastered all over my blog. :)

I learned to knit when I was in the 4th grade via 4-H. But I was very frustrated with it and didn't pick it back up until I was in my 30's. I have always crafted in some manner, needlepoint, cross-stitch, crochet, sewing, etc. However, in the last 5 years I have become totally obsessed with knitting. First it was socks, socks, socks. Now it seems to be lace, lace, lace. I love it.

starting, too!

2007-11-20T23:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the pattern finally arrived, my yarn is wound into a ball (I'm using Lisa Souza fingering weight in the Mother of Pearl colourway), and I'm ready to go! I really love the charts, and although I should knit some gifts for Christmas, I think I'll rather wear the actual shawl and buy presents ;)

Cousin Love

2007-11-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

The fabulous Cousin gifted me with 4480 yards of gorgeous fingering weight yarn and now I can start the Peacock! Yeah to the Cuz, to the Peacock, to Jae, knitabulous and to this KAL. Whew. Christmas came early.

And now we begin..........

My yarn is not yet arrived...

2007-11-15T06:06:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm CJ/CraftyGryphon, craftaholic and compulsive project starter. My UFO count is currently 60 (yes, sixty); thankfully, only about ten of those are knitting. This, if I can keep from starting anything else over the next week, will be #61. I'm not expecting miracles, of course, like "finishing something in the intervening week" or "magic stash finishing itself." It sure would be nice, though.

I haven't started yet. I ordered the pattern and some scrummy Claudia Handpainted Silk Lace (in "Ocean Depth") the minute I found out about this KAL, since KAL means "I might actually finish it in a reasonable amount of time - and I have this GREAT peacock skirt to go with it). As I just mailed the money order two days ago, I'm guessing I won't have my stuff until next week... darn!

Back to one of the sweaters, scarves or stoles that I *might* be able to finish soon while I'm waiting...!

New to this group

2007-11-14T20:20:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to be a part of this group. I think the pattern is just gorgeous and am looking forward to knitting it with a group of people.

I am a stay at home mom to 5 kids ranging in age from 12 to 2 1/2. I love to cross stitch, bead and knit - knitting is my favorite thing to do!! I got hooked on lace when I joined the Mystery Stole group and am now a part of a couple of groups and loving every minute of it.

Thanks for letting me join in :o)!

Connie

Finally started.

2007-11-13T21:57:00.000-08:00

I Started last night, and frogged it three times, the same row. As this is my first attempt at a shawl, any lace really, I wasn't happy.
Today was a new start and off I went, knitting knitting then that row again, frogged it again, so I went sooooo... slow stitch by stitch and I got it. Even with Kylie and Christina with me at the shop. Happy now all is working well. Can't wait now for my 'Lace Addis' to arrive.

starting soon!

2007-11-13T12:02:00.000-08:00

I just got my yarn - Emerald City from Lisa Souza, and my pattern is here. I've got to get 2 shawls off the needles first - that's my thanksgiving goal. Then, hopefully right after Thanksgiving, I'll wind the yarn into balls and get started! I can hardly wait. It's such a lovely pattern....

I'm Hooked!

2007-11-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

I can't remember the last time I was this hooked on a pattern. I started 10 days ago, and finished the 4th chart earlier today. I love it. I'm using some Lisa Souza fingering weight merino in the Mother of Pearl colorway, and I think it was a good choice. The rest of my knitting has taken a back seat to this shawl.

The Meet and Greet

2007-11-06T21:16:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone and welcome. Help yourselves to the champagne and nibbles and make yourselves at home.

As you all know, we're here to knit the pretty as a peacock shawl. I know some of you have already started, some are waiting on patterns and/or yarn to arrive, and some of you might be spectating for the moment.

No matter, we're all equal here. You start when you're ready. And when you do, don't forget to let us know - because the secret to a dynamic knitalong group is a noisy bunch of participants, don't you think?

Now, as an ice-breaker, I suggest we all drink four beers and find a karaoke machine. (No? Oh well, works for me). OK, let's just introduce ourselves as we come on board, and after that we'll start talking about our progress . I hope that's ok with you guys.

I'll go first. My name is Ailsa. I live in Wollongong, Australia - which is a beautiful city with a bad reputation (a little like Detroit - but we have a steelworks not car manufacturing) on the South Coast of New South Wales. It's about an hour's drive south of Sydney.

I have been knitting for about five years or so, and am completely nuts about it, much to the chagrin of my husband and family. I am 40 years old on Monday 12th, and I have one husband, two children (boy - 9 and girl - 7) and a dog (shit-zu/maltese cross named Storm).

I work in the civil service in a job-share (we both do half the hours of a fulltime job). I kind of die a little inside every day I go there. But it's a 'good job' and I need money to buy yarn, so I try not to complain.

I got the test-knit gig through a kind of 'six degrees of separation' type experience out there in knitblog land. My friend Donni thought it would be a good idea to get a randomish group of bloggers to participate in a group swap thing for a year back in 05. Anyhow, one of the people chosen was Jae - and that's how I found out about her and vice versa.

Jae did a course on lace knitting last year, and the peacock was born. When she'd finished it, she wanted to have her charts tested so she asked me to do it. So, it's not like I knit for a living or anything like that - I just fluked a good gig!

So enough about me, tell me about yourself.

Peacock Strut

2007-11-03T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the Pretty as a Peacock knitalong.

My name is Ailsa (aka knitabulous) and I test-knitted the 'pretty as a peacock' shawl for the talented Jae of Some Knitting Required. If you have the pattern, I made the teal one in the booklet.

I'm progressing through my second peacock shawl (in Fuschia Zephyr) and I thought other people might like to join me!

This is a place where we can compare our progress, discuss any obstacles we may come across along the way and generally help each other.

If you want to make this shawl, please see the sidebar for pattern links.
If you want to join this knitalong, send an email to

knitabulous@gmail.com

and I'll send you an invitation to join this blog.

We'll then decide together when we're going to start and if we're going to have any rules or not.