FOs on Parade (Part 1)

       

I’m not sure what possessed me to do it, but July 2005, I cast-on my first shawl. At 26, I didn’t have any desire to wear a shawl, let alone knit one. I am not the shawl type. But there was just something about the picture of the woman accompanying the pattern.  Even Lisa felt it.  In the comments she wrote:

“I've been thinking about knitting that shawl only because of that picture. I never wear shawls, and I have nothing to wear shawls to. Nonetheless, I keep thinking that someday this fall I'll be at a romantic farmhouse with a bigass flower in my hair, and I'll just need to be wrapped in a shawl like that.”

Under the model’s spell, I cast on using a gorgeous Fleece Artist silk/kid blend in a yummy cranberry colour.  I finished the shawl fairly quickly, but unsure about borders or blocking, I shoved the FO deep into my stash.  Right before Thanksgiving 2006 (more than a year later!), I decided to be bold.  I knew there were plenty of cat-free space perfect for blocking in my parents' house where no one would step on all of the tiny pins (well, no one except Stevie). Apparently, I didn’t use enough tiny pins.  Now there is an uneven spider web-like effect all along the edge of the shawl. Although unintended, the effect looks cool and makes me want to add a proper border.  But which border?  Do I use the same yarn?  Do I knit or crochet?  What do you think?

Comments

[lisa]

hmmm, dunnon which border would be best, but the shawl looks rad. I should make one! Uhh, a year after I said I would.

[suelas.]

nice picture allison guy!! i don't know about borders. no opinion. it'll probably look similar no matter what you do, so pick whatever is most fun to knit. that's what i say.

[StevieP]

My feets hate your shawl, and Paige is now frightened of knitting in blocking progress due to my yell of "Do not step there Paigey! It has pins!" Her look of fear at the knitting may have sunk very deep into her psyche at her fragile age.

I am in lovers with the FO as well as the carpet. Nice!

[Nanajan]

Love it! There is a book full of border ideas that you can probably get at Indigo or Amazon. It overwhelmes me with all the choices though. But the shawl is looking really great to me as is.
Haven't noticed the Paiger steering clear of my knitting.