That's how long it took me to finish my Print O'the Wave shawl:
The details:
Pattern: Print O'the Wave by Eunny Jang, a free pattern. I added an extra repeat to the width, but it blocked so well I wouldn't have needed to go through the extra effort. I omitted the center graft by completing one center panel. It looks just fine.
Yarn: Handmaiden Sea Silk (mostly silk, some tencel and a teensy weensy bit of seaweed). Beautiful drape, sheen and stitch definition, thankfully it smells neither of silk nor seaweed. My only complaint surrounds the colour. I ordered three skeins from Ram Wools on final sale. They sent me two skeins of one dyelot (wheaten in tone) and one in the ivory that I was expecting. I alternated one of each dyelot for the main body, and used the remaining wheaty one for the edge.
Needles: I found it worked best with one Bryspun and one Boye aluminum needle, both US size 4. It was too sticky with two Bryspuns, and too slippy with two Boyes. And forget the Addi's or Knit Pick's Options - the stitches jumped off those shiny beasts.
This was knit to wear for our 25th anniversary in 2007. It wasn't finished in time and I thought it would look strange to wear it with the needles hanging off. It does give me faith that I can rescue a couple of other projects from knitting limbo. Or would that be purgatory?
Now, about the couple of non-knitters who commented on my lovely table cloth...
It was well worth the wait. Gorgeous!
No!! You're not referring to Marina, are you? It's not nice to tease. Happy belated, 4th Birthday Marina ;-)
Posted by: Marina | May 28, 2009 at 03:16 AM
Wow!!!
Posted by: Awesome Mom | May 28, 2009 at 03:38 AM
That is fantastic! It must feel great to have it finished.
Posted by: Carole | May 28, 2009 at 04:58 AM
Oh its gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Lynn | May 28, 2009 at 05:00 AM
What an accomplishment -- a great reason and way to celebrate your 27th! (Though maybe stick to white wine.)
Posted by: Luise | May 28, 2009 at 06:39 AM
Beautiful!!!
In their defense, you didn't happen to have it ON the table when they commented, did you?
Posted by: Chris | May 28, 2009 at 07:28 AM
Your shawl is just gorgeous! And it's out of your UFO pile. That's 2 wonderfuls!
Posted by: technikat | May 28, 2009 at 07:52 AM
Wow, that looks stunning! What an accomplishment!
Posted by: Dotty | May 28, 2009 at 08:04 AM
What a wonderful job. So sorry I wasn't able to help you with the turning of the corners. The good news is that that was not your last anniversary.
I dare you to wear something with the needles still attached.
Posted by: Angie | May 28, 2009 at 08:45 AM
Li: That shawl is awesome. It looks like it has a little bit of pale color to the white. Is that true? It is hard to tell on the computer. It is sooooo gorgeous. Thanks for talking to me last night. I took your advice and allowed myself to rest and finally fell asleep on the couch with the TV on all night.
Imagine how lovely this would be with a pearl and/or crystal necklace. Thanks again for listening.
Posted by: Rosie | May 28, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Wait, someone called the shawl a tablecloth?!!! Oh, no. Unacceptable.
It's so beautiful. I've always wanted to make the Print O' the Wave shawl, but since I have yet to make any shawls, I figure that this is not the one to start out with. Again, absolutely beautiful.
Posted by: chancy | May 28, 2009 at 12:18 PM
I was going to say it would make a great table cloth:)
Posted by: Jane Toumpas | May 28, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Oooooooooh. So worth the long gestation period.
Posted by: Kristen | May 28, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Absolutely fabulous! It's on my list - maybe next year.
Posted by: Jane | May 28, 2009 at 08:39 PM
Gorgeous! So you'll be able to wear it for your 27th and many more!
Posted by: Mary | May 29, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Now that is a project to be proud of, and it has such a beautiful delicate look.
Wasn't it a great feeling to cast off the last stitch?
I take my hat off to you!!!
You can wear it for your 30th Wedding Anniversary.
Posted by: Lacy | May 29, 2009 at 03:19 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Michele | May 29, 2009 at 04:51 PM
What a beautiful Shawl!
Posted by: Chris | May 30, 2009 at 05:55 AM
That is just stunning. But it would seriously piss me off if I ordered yarn and it came in different dyelots. I'd have probably had a menopausal hissy fit.
Posted by: Lorette | May 30, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Lovely, lovely, lovely shawl. Like life or marriage its all about making beauty from unexpected circumstances. You succeeded!
Posted by: Bobbie | May 31, 2009 at 08:48 PM
Beautiful! I haven't the guts to take on a shawl yet, but I'm a fairly new knitter and I know the time for one will happen. This is truly beautiful.
Posted by: Andrea | June 01, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Li, it's just beautiful! I like it much better without the seam down the middle. Are you wearing it for this years anniversary?
Posted by: Karen | June 01, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Oh, how gorgeous, of course. I would expect nothing less, and never been disappointed.
So sorry i haven't kept up w/you, i cancelled my blog I pay for, and hadn't taken time to do another.
email and I will fill you in all the other happenings here at the zoo! :-)
Posted by: sherry | June 03, 2009 at 05:02 AM
It was worth the wait, its absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Rebekah | June 08, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Good GRACIOUS that is incredible! Nicely done, Li!
Posted by: Lynne | July 13, 2009 at 03:52 PM